While Port & Stilton is a classic wine and cheese pairing with the sweetness of the wine complementing the saltiness of the cheese, there are several other excellent wine-cheese combinations that are also worth a try:
Brie/Camembert
The soft texture of a Brie or Camembert needs something acidic to cut through the creaminess so try a Pinot Noir or a Sauvignon Blanc.
You might even want to push the boat out a little and enjoy your Brie with a glass of Champagne. It’s a marriage made in heaven!
Cheddar
A bold cheese such as a mature Cheddar needs a strong wine such as a Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany it. The strong sharp flavour of the cheese goes well with the tannins of a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon. A creamy mild Cheddar needs something more subtle – a crisp, fruity Chardonnay, for example.
Goat’s cheese
The flinty, citrusy taste of a Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé is a great match for the earthy flavours of a goat’s cheese such as a Crottin de Chavignol. And apart from anything else, this is a fine example of the old adage ‘What grows together, goes together!’
Jarlsberg
The sweet, nutty flavour of Jarlsberg needs something light and fresh to go with it – a dry/ off-dry white wine with high acidity such as a Chablis or an Alsace Riesling does a perfect job.
Manchego
A mature Rioja is an obvious choice for the nutty, tangy flavours of a Manchego. The fruity dryness of the wine is an excellent pairing for this cheese. A dry fino sherry also goes well with Manchego.
Pecorino toscano
This mild Italian cheese from Tuscany goes perfectly with a Chianti from the same region. The saltiness of the cheese softens the tannins in the wine and draws out its fruitiness – a natural accompaniment.
Saint Félicien
This soft French cheese with its creamy texture and bloomy rind pairs perfectly with the light, fruity flavour of a Syrah-based Crozes-Hermitage red wine. Beaujolais is also an excellent match.