This guide will help you pick foods and drinks to pair with your favorite cheeses. It’s an easy reference for appetizers and cheese boards for gatherings or treating yourself!
Armenian String Cheese
Also called Tel Banir or Chechil. It is a pulled and brined string cheese with a salty flavor similar to mozzarella. It’s dotted with nigella seeds. A good snacking cheese that melts well.
Pairings
Food: Armenian-style Breads like Chorag, Other Breads, Olives, Fresh Veggies
Red Wine: Areni
Beer: Any Good Beer
Asiago
Asiago is a hard, Mountain-Cheese from Northern Italy. Similar in flavor to Parmigiano Reggiano, with nutty and fruity notes and a subtle hint of hazelnut.
Pairings
Food: Thyme, Pancetta, Apricot Chutney, Roasted Cashews, Roasted Red Peppers
White Wine: Chardonnay
Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Beer: Brown Ale, IPA
Other: Prosecco, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Bleu D’Auvergne
This is a French blue cow’s milk cheese. It has a creamy, buttery, and pungent flavor. Bleu D’Auvergne is not as strong as some blues. It’s used for dressings, on pasta, and as a snack cheese.
Pairings
Food: Pear, Apple, Figs, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Honey, Jam
White Wine: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Pinot Noir, Shiraz
Beer: Porter, Stout
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Brie
Brie is a soft cow’s milk cheese that has an edible, white, bloomy rind. In flavor, brie is mellow and creamy, and has hints of fresh mushroom and nuttiness.
Pairings
Food: Salami, Prosciutto, Pickles, Apricots, Apples, Pears, Dates, Almonds, Candied Walnuts, Pecans
White Wine: Unoaked Chardonnay, Riesling
Red Wine: Pinot Noir, Merlot
Beer: Pilsner, IPA
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Brillat-Savarin Affine
Brillat-Savarin a soft-ripened, triple cream cow’s milk cheese with a bloomy rind. It is similar to brie but a little milder, with a flavor like fresh cream and butter.
Pairings
Food: Crusty Bread, Fresh Berries, Grapes, Figs, Apricots, Almonds
White Wine: Champagne, Unoaked Chardonnay
Red Wine: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
Beer: Sour Ale, Pilsner
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Buttermilk Blue
This cheese from Roth is made with cow’s milk and aged for 2 months. It has a creamy texture and mellow yet tangy flavor. It’s a good cooking cheese and great on a cheese board.
Pairings
Food: Honey, Figs, Pears, Dates, Dark Chocolate
White Wine: Riesling
Beer: Dark Beers
Other: Dry rosé, Gin, Prosecco, Champagne, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Cambozola
Sometimes called “blue brie,” cambozola is a hybrid a French, soft-ripened, triple cream and an Italian Gorgonzola. It originated in Germany. It has a buttery flavor with a mild blue kick. A good cheese for blue novices.
Pairings
Food: Baguette, Honey, Jam, Charcuterie Meats, Fresh Figs
White Wine: Riesling
Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Beer: Dark Beers
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Cheddar
Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses (it’s our bestseller). It originated in England, in the village of Cheddar in Somerset. It’s a fairly hard cheese with a sharp, nutty flavor.
Pairings
Food: Apple, Grapes, Pear, Mustard, Hot Pepper Jelly, Chives, Ham, Charcuterie Meats
White Wine: Franciacorta
Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Beer: English Ales
Other: Prosecco, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Hot Pepper Cheddar
This variety of cheddar is from Plymouth Cheese. It’s similar to pepper jack but with a sharper cheese flavor.
Pairings
Food: Apple, Strawberries, Corn, Tortilla Chips, Avocado
White Wine: Sweet Moscato
Red Wine: Zinfandel
Beer: Stout, IPA
Smoked Cheddar
Smoked cheddar is a cheese that has been smoke-cured. It has a yellow-ish brown color on the outside and a smokey flavor.
Pairings
Food: Applesauce, Pickled Onion, Cornichons, Pomegranate, Black Grapes, Tamari Almonds, Grainy Mustard
Red Wine: Shiraz
Beer: Pale Ale, Porter, Stout
Other: Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Chèvre
Chèvre is a soft goat cheese with a distinct creamy but crumbly texture and tangy flavor. It may be plain or flavored with herbs or other ingredients.
Pairings
Food: Fresh French Bread, Jams, Honey, Dates, Stone Fruits, Berries, Chives
White Wine: Unoaked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Syrah
Beer: Hefeweizen, IPA
Other: Prosecco, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Colby-Jack
This marbled cheese is a mixture of two American cheeses: Colby and Monterey Jack. It is semi-hard and mellow in flavor.
Pairings
Food: Apple, Tomato, Basil, Pear, Berries, Dried Fruit
White Wine: Chardonnay, Riesling
Red Wine: Malbec, Zinfandel
Other: Rosé
Beer: Ale, Lager
Crottina
Crottina is a French-style goat cheese. It is bloomy, subtle, and slightly nutty. We carry an award-winning Crottina made by Blue Ledge Farm, VT.
Pairings
Food: Honey, Fresh Bread, Pickled Cucumbers, Berries
White Wine: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Gamay
Beer: Soft Ale
Other: Prosecco, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Double Gloucester
This English cheese is traditionally made from milk of Gloucester cattle. It is semi-hard and is mellow and nutty in flavor. It’s also known as Cotswold cheese and may have chives and green onions added in.
Pairings
Food: Crusty Bread, Apples, Pairs, Chives, Onions, Garlic, Pickles
White Wine: White Burgundies, Sancerre
Red Wine: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Beer: British Ale
Other: Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Feta
Feta is a brined sheep’s milk cheese from Greece. It has a soft, crumbly texture and salty flavor.
Pairings
Food: Dill, Olives, Grapes, Lemon, Watermelon, Spinach, Garlic
White Wine: Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Beer: Pale Ale, IPA
Fontina
Fontina or Fontal is a cheese from the Italian Alps. It’s semi-soft with a creamy, mild, nutty flavor. It is reminiscent of Swiss cheese. The version we carry is called Fontal and is made in the US.
Pairings
Food: Apple, Pear, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Artichoke Hearts, Prosciutto
White Wine: Chardonnay, Riesling
Red Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti
Beer: Lambic
Other: Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Fromager d'Affinois
This French cheese looks similar to brie, with a white rind and a creamy texture. It’s milder than brie but it’s a double cream, meaning it’s luxuriously rich.
Pairings
Food: Blueberries, Crusty Bread, Green Apple, Honey, Fig Jam, Bacon, Toasted Almonds
White Wine: Chardonnay, Champagne
Red Wine: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais
Beer: Sour Ale, Pilsner
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Soft Goat Cheese
Soft goat cheese has a distinct creamy but crumbly texture and tangy flavor. It may be plain or flavored with herbs or other ingredients.
Pairings
Food: Nutmeg, Blackberries, Pomegranate, Chives, Dates, Figs, Dried Cranberries, Pistachios, Walnuts, Salami, Bread
White Wine: Champagne
Red Wine: Cabernet Franc
Beer: Hefeweizen, IPA
Other: Prosecco, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Hard Goat Cheese
Hard goat cheeses are nutty and have a mild tang.
Pairings
Food: Apples, Grapes, Walnuts, Dates, Figs, Bread
White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Pinot Noir, Merlot
Beer: Hefeweizen, IPA
Other: Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Gouda
Gouda is a creamy, yellow cheese from the Netherlands. Depending on age, it can be creamy and mild to acidic and harsh. Most gouda for sale in the US is mild and nutty.
Pairings
Food: Dark Chocolate, Nuts, Pears, Grapes, Sriracha
White Wine: Chardonnay, Champagne, Pinot Gris
Red Wine: Chianti, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Port
Beer: Lager, Pale Ale, Stout
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Smoked Gouda
Smoked gouda has a delicious smokey hint that pairs well with the cheese’s natural flavor.
Pairings
Food: Candied Ginger, Grilled Peaches, Melon, Cherries, Raspberries, Onion, Smoked Mackerel, Mint, Honey
White Wine: Pinot Gris
Red Wine: Shiraz
Beer: Lager, Red Ale
Gruyère
Gruyère cheese is a Swiss-type cheese that is sweet, nutty, and salty. It’s harder than generic Swiss and has a deeper flavor, while still being mild enough not to overpower other flavors in a dish.
Pairings
Food: Fig Jam, Pecans, Mustard, Bread, Honey, Apple, Pear, Prosciutto
White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay
Red Wine: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Beer: Brown/Amber Ale
Other: Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Halloumi
Halloumi is a cheese from Cypress that is made of goat and sheep’s milk. It has a high melting point, so it can be fried or grilled. The flavor is mild and salty, the texture is described by many as squeaky.
Pairings
Food: Orange, Watermelon, Balsamic Vinegar, Tomato, Mint
White Wine: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
Other: Rosé
Beer: Wheat Beer
Havarti
Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cheese made from cow’s milk. It tastes buttery and slightly sweet, though some longer aged varieties can be a little sharp.
Pairings
Food: Radish, Apple, Figs, Honey, Jam, Dill, Raisins, Walnuts
White Wine: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Red Bordeaux, Rioja
Beer: Stout, Pilsner
Smoked Havarti
Smith’s Country makes a smoked havarti that is buttery with a mild smoke flavor.
Pairings
Food: Figs, Pears, Sweet Jam
White Wine: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Red Bordeaux, Rioja
Beer: Stout, Pilsner
Huntsman/ Stilchester
Huntsman or Stilchester is a layered cheese made of Double Gloucester and Stilton. It is smooth and nutty with a tangy blue bite.
Pairings
Food: Fig Preserves, Crusty Bread, Toast, Steak
White Wine: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Sweet Port
Beer: British Ale
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Jarlsberg
Jarlsberg is a semi-hard, Swiss-style cheese from Norway. It has a clean, rich, buttery, nutty flavor and creamy texture. It is suitable for cooking, snacking, and fondue.
Pairings
Food: Honey, Apples, Pears, Blueberries, Mushrooms, Crackers, Ham
White Wine: Unoaked Chardonnay, Riesling
Red Wine: Pinot Noir
Beer: Brown Ale, IPA
Other: Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Lake's Edge
Lake’s Edge is Blue Ledge Farm’s dramatic ash-veined goat cheese. It is aged for three weeks and is named after the stones found along Lake Champlain.
Pairings
Food: Nutmeg, Blackberries, Dates, Figs, Prosciutto, Tart Apple, Marcona Almonds, Bread
White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Pinot Noir
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Manchego
Manchego is a firm, sheep’s milk cheese from Spain. It has a buttery texture and creamy, nutty flavor with a slight piquancy. Manchego is made in a cylindrical mould and has a distinctive basket pattern on the rind.
Pairings
Food: Quince Jelly, Almonds and Honey, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Olives, Fig Preserve, Smoky Dry Cured Ham
White Wine: Amontillado Sherry, Cava
Red Wine: Merlot
Beer: Kölsch, Stout
Other: Cava
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack, or just Jack, is a semi-hard cheese from California. It’s known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor. Generally, Jack is used for melted preparations, like on burgers or in quesadilla.
Pairings
Food: Apple, Milk Chocolate, Kimchi, Dill, Pecans
White Wine: Pinot Grigio, Riesling
Red Wine: Zinfandel, Merlot
Beer: Pale Ale, Pilsner, IPA, Kölsch
Mozarella
Mozarella is a semi-soft, non-aged Italian cheese. It’s made with cow or buffalo’s milk using the pasta filata (‘stretched-curd’) method. It’s one of the most popular cheeses in the world.
Pairings
Food: Peaches, Melon, Pears, Berries, Olives, Roasted Red Peppers, Tapenade
White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine: Chianti
Beer: Pale Ale, Pilsner
Other: Prosecco
Muenster
This semi-soft cheese is of American origin, though it’s believed to have been inspired by the German ‘Munster’ cheese. The orange rind is created with annatto, a sweet and nutty condiment from tropical regions of the Americas.
Pairings
Food: Apples, Grapes, Pears, Nuts, Crackers
White Wine: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer
Red Wine: Merlot
Beer: Stout, Pale Ale, Pilsner
Paneer
Paneer is a fresh acid-set cheese from the Indian subcontinent. It’s usually made with buffalo or cow’s milk. This non-melting cheese is often cubed and added to curries.
Pairings
Food: Onions, Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Green Peas, Leafy Greens, Basmati Rice
White Wine: Riesling, Chardonnay
Beer: Blonde Ale, Lager
Parmigiano-Reggiano
Parmigiano-Reggiano is a hard, granular, aged cow’s milk cheese from Italy. It is aged for a minimum of 12 months and has a very strong, nutty flavor.
Pairings
Food: Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Dried Figs and Plums, Bread, Balsamic Vinegar
White Wine: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay
Red Wine: Corvina, Barbera, Gamay
Beer: Brown Ale, Pale Ale
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Pepper Jack
A variant of the American Monterey Jack, this cheese has chili peppers, bell peppers, and herbs mixed in with it. It packs a little punch and is loved by heat enthusiasts.
Pairings
Food: Jalapeño, Melon, Grapes, Olives, Pickled Vegetables
White Wine: Moscato
Red Wine: Zinfandel
Beer: IPA, Pale Ale, Pilsner
Ricotta Salata
This variation of ricotta cheese is pressed, salted, and dried, making it possible to grate or shave. It can be made with cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo whey.
Pairings
Food: Watermelon, Peas, Tomatoes, Raisins, Shallots, Butternut Squash, Walnuts, Endive
White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino
Other: Rosé
Beer: Pilsner
Other: Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Romano Pecorino
Romano Pecorino is a hard, salty sheep milk’s cheese from Italy. It’s usually used for pasta dishes. Pecorino romano should not be confused with the romano cheese sold in the US, which is a milder cheese made from cow milk.
Pairings
Food: Honey, Figs, Berries, Strawberry Jam, Tomato
White Wine: Gewürztraminer
Red Wine: Chianti, Rioja
Beer: Light Beers
Other: Prosecco, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Roquefort
This blue cheese is made from sheep’s milk and comes from Southern France. It is tangy, creamy, and lightly moist. It’s named for the Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon where it is aged.
Pairings
Food: Walnuts, Figs, Pears, Endives, Apricots, Peaches, Honey
White Wine: Chardonnay
Red Wine: Malbec, Madeira
Beer: Pale Ale
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Stilton (Blue)
Stilton is an English cheese that is only produced in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire. It comes in blue and white varieties. It is mellow, rich, and has a pungent aftertaste.
Pairings
Food: Dried Cranberries, Honey, Walnuts, Apricots, Pears, Crusty Bread, Crackers
White Wine: Sauterne
Red Wine: Shiraz
Beer: British Ale
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
Swiss
Swiss cheese is a generic term for a Swiss-type medium-hard cheese similar to Emmental.
Swiss cheese is known for its mildly sweet, nutty flavor and distinctive holes.
Pairings
Food: Apples, Pears, Olives, Fig Preserves, Honey
White Wine: Jura Blanc, Riesling
Red Wine: Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Beaujolais
Beer: Lager, Stout, Pale Ale
Other: Champagne, Prosecco, Hard Cider, Sparkling Cider
