Wine: What's Your Type?

What this is: A look at the nine types of wine and what kind of cheese and flavor profiles they pair with.

Who it’s for: The lesson for those who love wine with their cheese board.

We break down wine into nine easy categories so that you can mix and match your vino with your cheese. Below is each wine type, the types of wine included in each type and the cheese types and flavor profiles that pair with it.

9 EASY WINE CATEGORIES

1. SPARKLING

A bubbly treat that pairs well with others. It’s not just for fancy occasions.

Includes: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Lambrusco
Cheese pairings: bright&fresh, bloomy&brainy, friendly&flexible, smooth&melty, creamy&funky, bold&blue
Flavor Profile pairings: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, nutty, umami

2. SWEET WHITE

A sweet and crisp dance partner best for leading spicy, sour, funky, and bold.

Includes: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscato, Chenin Blanc
Cheese pairings: milky&mild, creamy&funky, bold&blue
Flavor Profile pairings: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, nutty, umami

3. DRY WHITE

A fruity friend with an acidic flair. Best enjoyed young and often.

Includes: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Grüner Veltliner, Albariño
Cheese pairings: milky&mild, stretchy&chewy, bright&fresh, bloomy&brainy, creamy&funky
Flavor Profile pairings: salty, sour, spicy, nutty

4. RICH WHITE

Rich bold pours that, when they are oakless, love to be paired with cheese.

Includes: Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Sémillon, Viognier
Cheese Pairings: bloomy&brainy, friendly&flexible, smooth&melty
Flavor Profile pairings: salty, nutty

5. ROSÉ

Look to the grape—these can fall dry & savory or sweet & fruity.

Includes: Grenache, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah
Cheese pairings: bright&fresh, bloomy&brainy, smooth&melty
Flavor Profile pairings: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, nutty, umami

6. LIGHT RED

Simple but definitely not basic.

Includes: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Cheese pairings: stretchy&chewy, bright&fresh, bloomy&brainy, friendly&flexible, smooth&melty, creamy&funky
Flavor Profile pairings: sour, nutty, umami

7. MEDIUM RED

A showcase of red fruit flavors that is decidedly food friendly.

Includes: Merlot, Malbec, Chianti, Nebbiolo
Cheese pairings: friendly&flexible, smooth&melty, bold&blue
Flavor Profile pairings: spicy, umami

8. BOLD RED

Showy jewels that beg for bold pairing partners. Fewer tannins = better cheese friend.

Includes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Bordeaux, Tempranillo
Cheese pairings: friendly&flexible, smooth&melty, creamy&funky
Flavor Profile pairings: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, nutty, umami

9. DESSERT WINE

The perfect finish to a delicious meal, these long-aged treasures are people-pleasers.

Includes: Port, Sauternes, Ice Wine, Sherry
Cheese pairings: friendly&flexible, smooth&melty, creamy&funky, bold&blue
Flavor Profile pairings: sweet, salty, nutty, umami

Additional pairing tips

ENJOY LIKE TOGETHER: Fruity with fruity, savory with savory, sweet with sweet.
MATCH INTENSITY: Mild and bold pairings usually overpower.
GROWS TOGETHER, GOES TOGETHER: Pairings from the same region are likely friends.
NO RULES: Drink what you like, eat what you like...this is only a guide.

SUMMARY

This handy guide can help you pick out the right bottle (or two for your next cheese board night).

HOMEWORK
Create your dream cheese board on paper. First decide what cheeses and pairings would you include, and then pick three different wines that would pair nicely. If you’re stuck for a starting point, consider the GROWS TOGETHER tip and create a regionally themed board and wines.