Best Okanagan Cheese and Red Wine Pairings - Our Top Picks

The secret to pairing red wines and cheeses is considering how the tannins will influence the taste of the cheese. Red wines are rich in tannins, so when paired with the wrong cheese, wine lovers will end up tasting tin foil instead of a delicious combination. 

Wine pairings are a bit of a science and a bit of trial and error. Since every red wine and every cheese is of varying quality, focus on the high-quality Okanagan cheese and wines to ensure the best experience possible. Even the best cheese to pair with red wine might be unimpressive if it’s a low-quality cheese.

Today, we’re going to discuss red wine and cheese pairings for you to explore, or to try out at our winery in Salmon Arms, British Columbia. Which is the best Okanagan cheese that pairs well with red wine? It ultimately depends on both the wine and the cheese. Remember that your results may vary based on personal tastes and the quality of the wine and cheese. 

Best Merlot and Cheese Pairings

Merlot is arguably one of the most popular red wines on the planet, so it’s a perfect place to start. Merlot is typically known for dominant flavors such as plum, chocolate, and cherry. 

Cow’s milk cheese and sheep’s milk cheese are both considered a great match for a Merlot pairing. The following cheeses are well worth trying with your favorite Merlot:

• Brie
• Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Tangy Swiss Gruyere
• Italian Gorgonzola

Try any of the above cheeses with your favorite bottle of wine to experience a whole new flavor profile that is the result of the Merlot and the chosen cheese blending together. Merlot cheese pairing will likely take some trial and error to find your favorite pairing, make sure to focus on the above suggestions.

Excellent Red Wine and Cheese Pairings to Consider

What other cheese and wine pairings are worth your time? Below are a few more red wine pairing options to explore. The best cheese that goes with red wine will depend on the red wine you choose as each will have its own best pairing. Let’s go over a few more common cheese pairings to help you discover your next favorite pair.

Cheeses for Malbec

Malbec has a few options to explore when looking for the best cheese to pair with red wine. The main thing to keep in mind with Malbecs is their fruity flavor and sweetness. Fresh cheeses higher in acidity work great with sweet wines. There are several varieties of cheese that work amazingly well with Malbec, such as asiago, colby, cheddar, gouda, and some blue cheeses. 

Cheese and Cabernet Sauvignon

What’s the best Cabernet Sauvignon cheese pairing?  Cabernet Sauvignon has a long finish, earthy notes and vibrant acidity, so it requires a cheese with complex flavors that pair well with this savoured wine, such as cheddar. However, richer cabernets will likely pair better with aged Gruyere. Younger cabernets have lighter tannins, which works well with gouda. Older cabernets with soft tannins also pair well with gouda but you may prefer to explore a sheep’s milk cheese such as Comte.

Cheeses for Lemberger

Lemberger wines are known for having light fruity flavours that last a long time. It’s common for the aroma to have hints of bananas, cocoas, plums, and blueberries. Many aficionados know that Lemberger is an ideal wine for meats. However, there are plenty of excellent cheeses to explore as well. Lemberger wines pair perfectly with gouda, Piave, pepperjack, and feta.

You Can Become a Red Wine and Cheese Expert

Wine and cheese can be a heavenly match, but they can also be a nightmare from hell. Heed the advice in this post and you’ll be off to a great start pairing your favorite wines with the right cheeses to really bring out the flavor of both.

Are you interested in having a wine tasting with a professional cheese pairing? Salmon Arm Winery regularly hosts wine tastings to help you develop your palate and simply enjoy a new experience.