The holidays are just around the corner! The hymns of the festive season fill the air, and houses decorated with jingling bells and blinking lights are inevitable to embrace the Christmas spirit. This season brings families and friends together to share their love for each other. With numerous social gatherings and Christmas parties organised day after day, the glasses of wine imbibed inevitably mount up.
Yes! It’s a tradition to celebrate that warmth and joy of the season by toasting the wines. Natural wines made from high-quality grapes will make your Christmas celebrations special and add lots of festive spirit. Moreover, they pair well with seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes – not to mention cheese.
Wine and Cheese – A Perfect, Heavenly Match
Pairing natural, organic wine with cheese tantalises your taste buds and helps you explore the unique flavour, intriguing profiles, and distinct characteristics of natural wine. It can be a delightful and immersive experience. The rich and complex flavours of natural wine complement well with an array of cheese varieties.
Like natural wines, artisanal cheeses have their own unique and complex flavour that can complement and enhance the experience of drinking wine. The creamy and rich textures of cheese perfectly contrast the acidity and tannins in wine and add extra joy to your festive celebrations. Whether you choose a bold and robust red wine, a crisp and refreshing white wine or a honeyed and nutty orange wine, there is a cheese out there that can enhance its flavours and take your sensory experience to the next level.
Why Pairing Wine and Cheese Works
Natural wines are made using organic production methods, resulting in a more complex and authentic taste profile. Throughout the wine-making process, no artificial additives and preservatives are added, which allows the true flavours of the wine to shine through. This purity blends well with the rich and creamy flavour of cheese. Moreover, the wild yeasts naturally occurring during the fermentation process produce funky flavour profiles, which can be complemented by the creamy, tangy, or nutty characteristics of different cheeses.
How to Pair Natural Wine with Cheese
Pairing natural wine and cheese is an art. When pairing natural wine and cheese, it’s important to consider the intensity of both. A light and delicate wine will pair well with a mild and creamy cheese, while a bold and robust wine will stand up to a strong and flavourful cheese. Also, look for complementary flavours when pairing natural wine and cheese. A fruity and acidic wine can be balanced with a tangy and creamy cheese, while a rich and earthy wine can be complemented by a nutty and aged cheese.
The texture of the cheese can greatly impact the pairing. A soft and creamy cheese can provide a luscious contrast to a crisp and acidic wine, while a hard and aged cheese can add depth and complexity to a smooth and velvety wine. Natural wines often express the characteristics of the region they come from, so why not pair them with local cheeses? Exploring regional pairings can enhance the overall experience and create a harmonious connection between the wine and cheese.
The beauty of pairing natural, preservative free wine and cheese is that there are no hard and fast rules. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations, and trust your taste buds. The best pairings are often discovered through experimentation.
Natural Wine and Cheese Pairing Suggestions
The options to pair natural wine with cheese are endless. Here are a few pairing suggestions to help balance the flavours of wine and cheese.
- Pairing a crisp and refreshing white wine with soft and creamy cheese is a classic choice. The bright acidity of the wine cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a delightful contrast.
- Red wine pairs beautifully with aged cheeses like Parmesan or Gouda. The strong flavours of the cheese stand up to the tannins in the wine, creating a unique combination.
- Pair a funky and earthy natural wine, such as a natural orange wine, with a strong and pungent blue cheese.
- The effervescence of a sparkling wine pairs beautifully with the tangy and creamy flavours of fresh goat cheese. This combination is refreshing and light, perfect for a festive celebration.
- Rosé wines are versatile and can complement a wide range of cheeses. Try pairing a dry Rosé with a semi-hard cheese like Gouda or Manchego. The fruity and crisp flavours of the wine balance the nutty and buttery characteristics of the cheese.
- Cheese and wines from the same location pair well together. Yes, trusting the local traditions to match wine and cheese together results in a classic and nostalgic taste that helps reminisce about the good old days.
Other Foods to Pair with Natural Wine
While cheese is a classic and delicious choice, exploring other food pairings can add a new dimension to your festive season celebrations.
Charcuterie – The saltiness and richness of cured meats like prosciutto or salami can beautifully contrast the taste flavours of natural wines. The combination of savoury meats and complex wines creates a delightful balance on your palate.
Fresh Fruits – Fruits like grapes, berries, and sliced apples or pears can add a burst of sweetness and freshness to your wine-tasting experience. Pairing a crisp and refreshing white wine with a plate of fresh fruits can create a unique balance of flavours.
Nuts – Whether it’s almonds, walnuts, or pistachios, nuts offer a crunchy and nutty element that can complement the flavours of natural wines. Try pairing a nutty and earthy wine with a variety of nuts for a satisfying and textured experience.
Dark Chocolate – Indulge your sweet tooth with some dark chocolate alongside a bold and robust red wine. The bitterness of the chocolate can beautifully enhance the rich and complex flavours of the wine, creating a decadent pairing.
Spicy Foods – If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider pairing natural wines with spicy dishes. The spice and heat can create a dynamic contrast with the flavours of the wine, adding an exciting element to your tasting experience.
Wrapping Up
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to elevate your festive celebrations with the perfect pairing of natural wine and cheese. By pairing natural wines and artisanal cheeses, you can indulge in a sensory experience that will bring joy and flavour to your festivities. With a variety of platforms and retailers specialising in organic and preservative-free options, you can conveniently order natural wine delivery in Sydney and get your favourites right to your doorstep. Explore the diverse world of flavours and create memorable combinations to impress your guests and elevate your festive season.
