Red wine and cheese are made for each other, and the possibilities are endless. The staff at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits have a variety of recommendations for wine pairings that will complement your cheese plate.
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits is known for our vast selection of popular international name brand and hard-to-find wines, beers and spirits. We have six convenient locations to serve you, but the most convenient way to get everything you need quickly is to order online.
Select Your Cheese
A good rule of thumb is that mild cheeses pair well with medium to heavily bodied red wines, and stronger cheeses pair well with lighter reds. Here are a few guidelines to get you started.:
Bleu Cheese: Sweet dessert wines are a great match for bleu cheese because they balance out the pungent salty qualities of the cheese. Try Graham’s Fine Ruby Port from Portugal.
Brie: Brie needs a wine that will go well with its distinct flavors while remaining light enough not to overwhelm them. Pinot Noir is a great choice. Try Oyster Bay Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand.
Camembert: Camembert is a cow’s milk cheese that has a creamy texture and a bloomy white rind. Rich, soft cheese like this love light-bodied reds with low tannins. Try Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon from Southeastern Australia.
Cheddar: As cheddar ages, it goes from mild to tangy with more complex and deeper flavors. A chocolatey Malbec will help balance out the aggressive sharpness of aged cheddar. Try Callia Alta Malbec from Valle de Tulum, Argentina.
Feta: One of the most famous Greek cheeses, feta is made from goat and sheep’s milk, it has a salty and tangy taste that is enhanced by a light, fruity French red with soft flavors of banana and pear. Try Drouhin Beaujolais from Villages, France.
Gouda: The low acid content and semi-sweetness of a fruity Tuscan Chianti will bring out the best flavor in this semi-hard to hard cow’s milk cheese from the Netherlands. Try. Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico from Tuscany, Italy.
Gruyère: One of the most famous Swiss cheeses, this slightly grainy cheese has complex flavors that pair well with bursting-with-berry-flavor Zinfandel. Try Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California.
Manchego: This Spanish cheese is made in the same region that produces the delicious Spanish wines called Rioja and Tempranillo, which perfectly complement the cheese. Try Marques de Riscal Reserva from Rioja, Spain.
Monterey Jack: This classic American white, semi-hard cheese made from cow’s milk calls for a light, fruity wine, such as Merlot. Try Vina Maipo Merlot from Central Valley, Chile.
Parmesan: This is a heavy cheese, and the sweet, heavy fruit overtones, high acid and tannins of Prosecco match beautifully. Try Roscato Prosecco from Veneto, Italy.
Roquefort: This is the most famous blue cheese made in the south of France. It’s pungent flavor and smooth, creamy texture pair well with a Cabernet that won’t bury its flavor. Try Heitz Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California.
If you need help with cheese and red wine pairings on Grand Cayman, visit a Jacques Scott Wine & Spirits store where you’ll enjoy an incomparable selection and expert customer service.
