National Wine and Cheese Day is here! Why not celebrate on 25th July from the comfort of your own home.
Like all great duos, wine and cheese are meant to be together. Following these easy, fuss-free tips will help you to create a restaurant quality cheese board for a fraction of the price. There are no set rules when it comes to pairing wine and cheese but knowing the qualities of the two that work well together makes for a much tastier experience.
Starting with the wine, red is often the most common accompaniment for a lot of cheeses, but it doesn’t have to be limited to that. Both white and sparkling wines can also work well when paired with the right cheese. It is recommended to combine the two based on their levels of intensity and complexity as a full- bodied wine could overpower a more delicate cheese and vice versa. As a rule of thumb, wine and cheeses from the same country or region tend to work very well together as what grows together, goes together.
Simple, well-known pairings are the best way to start when creating your DIY couplings at home. Chardonnay and camembert blend together beautifully because the acidity in the wine combined with the creamy, buttery cheese makes for a perfect balance of flavours. For fresher, milder cheeses like mozzarella, a light white wine such as a pinot grigio works perfectly together as it allows for the delicate flavours of both parties to come through.
On the other end of the scale, the more pungent and bolder flavours of stilton match perfectly with a vintage port as it packs enough sweetness and depth to work in harmony with the powerful stilton tang.
But why stop at creating your own cheese board? Give yours that extra homemade touch by making your own ingredients at home. With most kits that are available on the market, the only things you’ll need is the ability to follow instructions, time to let the ingredients ferment and patience! Making cheese and wine at home can sound like a daunting task but with kits like the ones available at Thecheesemakingcompany.com and Lovebrewing.co.uk that take all the stress and worry away by providing in-depth instructions, you can learn a new skill with the reward of delectable treats at the end. By producing your own ingredients for cheese boards, you can tailor them to suit your own tastes as well as having fun in the process.
Whether you DIY your ingredients or buy the goods from one of the increasing independent wine shops popping up across the area, shopping locally and independently not only provides a more personal and enjoyable experience but can often be a cheaper way to shop. And once you have the knowledge to create your own wine and cheese, there’s no reason not to invite your friends round to impress and delight them with your talents again and again!