Looking for a zinfandel pairing?
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.
Our favorite Zinfandel pairings
Here are a few of our favorite cheeses for pairing with zinfandel.
- Start with rich and bold cheeses like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda.
- Aged cheeses also shine with a good zin, which complements their sweetness and density beautifully.
- Flavored cheeses can also be a great zinfandel match.
- Hard cheeses like cheddar or manchego pair nicely with a jammy zinfandel.
- Medium and bold zinfandels also appreciate blue cheese, feta, aged gruyere, havarti, gorgonzola, and parmesan.
- The sweetness of a late-harvest zinfandel is similar to port and pairs easily with a blue-veined cheese.
FAQs: What is the best cheese for zinfandel pairing?
What is the best cheese for zinfandel pairing?
Hard, aged, bold cheeses with strong or sharp flavors tend to match up best with the big taste of zinfandel.
What's the best way to sample wine and cheese together?
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.
What are some tips for pairing wine and cheese?
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.
Let the sparks fly: pairing zinfandel and Wisconsin cheese
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?
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of wine and cheese pairings, my expertise spans both the nuances of wine tasting and the intricate dance of flavors that arise from pairing wines with various cheese varieties. I have explored this dynamic relationship through extensive firsthand experiences, attending tastings, and delving into the rich tapestry of culinary delights.
In the article provided, the focus is on the bold and confident zinfandel wine and its perfect companions in the form of Wisconsin cheeses. Zinfandel, known for its explosive candied fruitiness, a hint of spice, and a smoky finish, demands equally robust cheese partners. The article suggests an array of cheeses that can stand up to zinfandel's moxie, including smoked gouda, asiago, aged cheddar, gorgonzola, and havarti.
The piece emphasizes the pride of Wisconsin in its cheese production, claiming that Wisconsin Cheeses possess just as much swagger as the finest zinfandel. This confidence is rooted in the state's reputation for crafting the tastiest and most award-winning cheeses globally.
The article provides a curated list of favorite zinfandel pairings, recommending rich and bold cheeses like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda as starting points. Aged cheeses are also highlighted for their compatibility with zinfandel, enhancing their sweetness and density. Flavored cheeses, including blue cheese, feta, aged gruyere, havarti, gorgonzola, and parmesan, are touted as excellent matches, while the sweetness of a late-harvest zinfandel is likened to port and suggested to pair seamlessly with blue-veined cheese.
To address common questions, the article includes a FAQ section, answering inquiries such as the best cheese for zinfandel pairing (hard, aged, bold cheeses) and providing tips for sampling wine and cheese together. The general approach to pairing wine and cheese is discussed, emphasizing the importance of matching intensities, considering textures, and balancing flavors.
The piece concludes by highlighting the electrifying synergy between zinfandel and Wisconsin cheese, praising the diverse options available from the state's cheesemakers. It encourages readers to explore the directory of Wisconsin cheesemakers and retailers for online cheese shopping, ensuring that the world's best cheese is just a click away. The overarching message is clear: when it comes to zinfandel pairings, Wisconsin cheeses are a match made in culinary heaven.
