The Art of Cheese Pairing
Match Intensity
Pair mild cheeses with delicate accompaniments and bold cheeses with assertive partners. A subtle Brie pairs well with mild honey, while pungent Roquefort stands up to strong port wine.
Balance Sweet & Savory
Sweet accompaniments like honey, jam, and dried fruits contrast beautifully with salty or pungent cheeses. This contrast creates complexity and keeps your palate interested.
Classic Cheese Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I build a balanced cheese board?
Include 3-5 cheeses from different categories: one soft (like Brie), one hard (like aged Cheddar), one blue or strong (like Gorgonzola), and optionally a fresh cheese (like goat cheese). Add complementary crackers, fruits, nuts, and condiments for variety.
What wine pairs best with most cheeses?
Champagne and sparkling wines are incredibly versatile cheese partners—the bubbles cleanse the palate between bites. For still wines, white wines generally pair more easily with cheese than reds. However, port and sweet wines are exceptional with blue cheeses.
Should cheese be served at room temperature?
Yes! Remove cheese from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before serving. Cold suppresses flavor and aroma. Soft cheeses like Brie become wonderfully creamy at room temperature, and hard cheeses develop more complex flavors.
What's the best order to taste cheeses?
Progress from mild to strong. Start with fresh and soft cheeses, move to semi-hard and aged varieties, and finish with blue or washed-rind cheeses. This prevents stronger flavors from overwhelming more delicate ones.