Zinfandel is a wine that brims with confidence – and for good reason. It starts strong with explosions of candied fruitiness followed by a bit of spice, and it serves up a smoky finish. When choosing cheese for a zinfandel pairing, you'll want varieties that match zin's moxie. Smoked gouda, asiago, aged cheddar, gorgonzola, and havarti can serve as a worthy sparring partner for zinfandel.
Here in Wisconsin, we love the gusto of zinfandel. We know that when it comes to a zinfandel pairing, Wisconsin Cheeses have just as much swagger as the finest zin. After all, our cheesemakers are constantly turning out the tastiest, most award-winning cheeses on the planet – and we are darn confident about that.
Take a spin through our website to learn about all the Wisconsin cheeses that can make a great zinfandel pairing or a charcuterie meat pairing. Search our recipes for inspiration for your next wine and cheese board. Or read on for more recommendations and tips.
Here are a few of our favorite cheeses for pairing with zinfandel.
Hard, aged, bold cheeses with strong or sharp flavors tend to match up best with the big taste of zinfandel.
To enjoy the flavors of both the wine and cheese, take a little sip of wine first. Then a snall bite of cheese. While the cheese is still in your mouth, take another sip of wine and let the flavors meld together.
The general approach to matching cheese with wine is the same whether you're choosing cheese for a malbec wine pairing, a chianti pairing, or a chardonnay pairing. Start by choosing a cheese and wine with similar intensity – bold wines need sharp-flavored cheeses, while lighter wines do best with milder cheese varieties. Think about matching textures – or about contrasting them. If you have a salty or stinky cheese, a sweeter wine will pair best with it. And if you're completely lost about which cheese to choose, a firm, nutty cheese like gouda or gruyere is always a safe bet.
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There's something electric about pairing zinfandel with Wisconsin cheese. These made-in-America masterpieces really enjoy each other's company. You're bound to encounter the most exciting tastes and textures when these homegrown icons of culinary delight spend a little quality time together.
What's great about pairing zinfandel with Wisconsin cheese is that there's so much cheese to choose from. Our cheesemakers now make more than 600 flavors, styles, and varieties of cheese. We produce one-quarter of all the cheese made in America, and nearly half of all the specialty artisan cheese this country has to offer. That means, when you're looking for a zesty cheese for your zinfandel, you'll always find a Wisconsin cheese that's raring to go.
Craving award-winning aged cheddar, pining for parmesan, or searching for a new cheese to try? The world’s best cheese is just a click away! Explore our directory of Wisconsin cheesemakers and retailers who offer online cheese shopping and get cheese shipped right to your door. What are you waiting for?
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