There’s nothing better than treating yourself to a well-deserved wine and cheese night, especially when you’re able to indulge in several different pairings with close friends and loved ones. Personally, I can't imagine anything else I'd rather do after a grueling week than to come home and be reunited with my two best friends, Syrah and smoked cheese - oh and my husband too, of course.
As any wine and cheese lover knows, this dynamic duo can be quite the savory experience but you have to be careful as to which wines and cheeses you pair together so one doesn't overpower the other. Speaking from experience, I've messed up pairings one too many times in the past and have now learned as much as I can about what goes best together.
If you’re new to the world of wine and want to make sure that you optimize your experience, then you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ll share 3 of my go-to's which include the best wines I’ve tried from Firstleaf along with some of my favorite cheeses.
Pairing #1 - Sauvignon Blanc with Gruyere or Goat Cheese
Sauvignon Blanc ranks high on my list of white wines as it perfectly balances sweetness with light acidity from citrus. If I’m not quite in the mood for the bite that some Chardonnays have, I’ll instead go for this blend as it doesn’t overpower lighter tastes and pairs well with a large variety of food and cheeses.
My favorite Sauvignon Blanc from Firstleaf is Composure, which features the refreshing citrus flavors of grapefruit, lychee, and pear - a perfect combination of flavors that’s light and not overly sweet. Usually, I’ll pair it with creamier cheeses, like Gruyere or goat cheese, as sharper cheeses tend to overpower this blend.
Either Gruyere or goat cheese allows me to indulge in the different flavors found within the wine and cheese and I actually feel like this wine in combination with lighter cheeses accentuates each distinct flavor.
Pairing #2 - Malbec with Asiago or Cheddar
If I’m in the mood for a red wine that pairs well with richer foods, then I’ll typically go for Malbec. The Old Quarter Malbec from Firstleaf possesses notes of black cherry, blackberry, and graphite, which go best with aged and sharper cheeses as it can overpower lighter ones.
By far my favorite types of cheese to pair with this Malbec are asiago and cheddar. Despite seeming like these bold flavors would outcompete one another, they actually work incredibly well together - assuming you’re up for a mouthful of flavor.
Pairing #3 - Syrah with Smoked Gouda or Blue Cheese
My all-time favorite wine is Syrah and it’s an absolute must for those who love full-bodied reds but don’t mind the slight bitterness that comes with having a higher concentration of tannins compared to other blends. Since Syrah can feel a bit heavy, especially for those who are new to the world of wine, you should make sure to pair it with a cheese that matches its robust flavor.
Firstleaf’s Winter Fox Syrah features flavors of cranberry, fig, and cedar, and pairs very well with cheeses that have a smokey or nutty flavor. As such, my two favorite kinds of cheese to pair with Syrah are smoked gouda and blue cheese.
Let Firstleaf Fuel Your Wine And Cheese Nights
While I've always enjoyed my wine and cheese nights at home, Firstleaf has been an absolute game-changer for trying out world-class wines and I definitely don't plan on going back to the grocery store to buy wine anytime soon. I can honestly say that my wine nights haven't been the same since starting Firsttleaf - they've been exceptionally better. My husband and I have discovered new favorites that we wouldn't have known about otherwise and we love that we can have our subscription tailored to our preferred flavors and favorite blends as well.