When it comes to pairing snacks with wine, there are a few guidelines that can help you choose the right snacks for a wine tasting. Here are some snack options to consider:
Wine and Cheese: a match made in heaven.
It’s the perfect combination of flavours, textures, and aromas that can take your taste buds on a delicious journey. Whether you’re planning a cozy night in, a fancy dinner party, or a casual get-together with friends, pairing cheese with wine is a surefire way to impress your guests. Here’s a quick guide on how to pair cheese and wine like a pro.
Soft Cheeses and Light to Medium-Bodied White Wines
Soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and goat cheese are creamy and delicate, with a subtle tanginess that pairs well with light to medium-bodied white wines like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc. These wines have a crisp acidity that can cut through the rich and buttery flavors of the cheese, while enhancing its subtle notes of fruit and nuts.
Hard and Aged Cheeses and Full-Bodied Red Wines
If you’re a fan of hard and aged cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and parmesan, you’ll want to pair them with full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. These wines have a robust flavor and a tannic structure that can stand up to the strong and nutty flavors of the cheese, while bringing out its subtle notes of caramel and earthiness.
Blue Cheeses and Sweet Wines or Full-Bodied Red Wines
If you’re feeling bold and adventurous, try pairing blue cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton with sweet wines like Port, as well as full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines have a rich and complex flavor that can balance out the pungent and intense flavors of the cheese, while enhancing its subtle notes of spice and fruit.
Fresh and Creamy Cheeses and Dry and Light-Bodied White Wines
If you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing, pair fresh and creamy cheeses like ricotta and feta with dry and light-bodied white wines like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. These wines have a bright and zesty flavor that can complement the mild and tangy flavors of the cheese, while enhancing its subtle notes of herbs and citrus.
Semi-Soft and Washed-Rind Cheeses and Medium-Bodied Red Wines
Semi-soft and washed-rind cheeses like Gruyere and Munster have a complex and nutty flavor that pairs well with medium-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir and Merlot. These wines have a subtle and elegant flavor that can bring out the earthy and nutty flavors of the cheese, while enhancing its subtle notes of fruit and mushrooms.
Charcuterie and Wine
Dry-Cured Meats and Full-Bodied Red Wines
Dry-cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and chorizo have a rich and intense flavor that pairs well with full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. These wines have a robust flavor and a tannic structure that can stand up to the strong and salty flavors of the meat, while bringing out its subtle notes of spice and smoke.
Semi-Dry and Cooked Meats and Medium-Bodied Red Wines
Semi-dry and cooked meats like coppa, pancetta, and pâté have a more subtle and delicate flavor that pairs well with medium-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir and Sangiovese. These wines have a smooth and silky texture that can balance out the rich and fatty flavors of the meat, while enhancing its subtle notes of herbs and fruit.
Nuts, Olives, and Bread and Crackers
A wine tasting isn’t complete without some snacks to cleanse your palate and enhance the flavour of the wine. Nuts, olives, and bread and crackers are classic wine tasting staples that can add a crunchy and savory contrast to the wine. But, did you know that the type of nut, olive, bread, or cracker you choose can greatly affect the taste of the wine? Here’s a quick guide on how to pair nuts, olives, and bread and crackers with wine and other drinks for a party that will impress your guests.
Nuts for a Wine Tasting?
Nuts are a great snack to pair with wine because they have a rich and buttery flavor that can balance out the acidity and tannins of the wine. Here are some classic nut and wine pairings to try:
Almonds pair well with crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
Cashews pair well with light to medium-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir or Merlot.
Walnuts pair well with full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.
Pistachios pair well with sparkling wines like Prosecco or Champagne.
Olives and Wine Pairing
Olives are a classic wine tasting snack that can add a salty and briny contrast to the wine. Here are some classic olive and wine pairings to try:
Green olives pair well with crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino.
Kalamata olives pair well with medium-bodied red wines like Sangiovese or Tempranillo.
Castelvetrano olives pair well with light-bodied red wines like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.
Nicoise olives pair well with rosé wines or sparkling wines like Cava or Prosecco.
Bread and Cracker and Wine Pairing
Bread and crackers are a great way to cleanse your palate between sips of wine, and they can also enhance the flavor of the wine by adding a complementary flavour or texture. Here are some classic bread and cracker and wine pairings to try:
Baguette pairs well with light-bodied red wines like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.
Multigrain crackers pair well with crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino.
Garlic bread pairs well with medium-bodied red wines like Zinfandel or Merlot.
Whole wheat crackers pair well with full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.
We hope some of these tips help you to choose the perfect snack for your next wine tasting. Let us know which ones you’ve tried and which work best for you. Get more information on Tasting Experiences’ Wine Tastings here
