Wine and Cheese Pairings from Around the World
Parlez-vous fromage? From ooey, gooey, melted deliciousness to
hard and salty yumminess, what’s not to love about cheese? From mac and
cheese to fondue, each region in every part of the world has a different
take on this milky goodness that is distinctly their own. And those national
imaginations go way beyond Bessie the cow to include both goat and sheep milk
cheeses. Whether it involves a quiet night at home or a party with friends, a
wine and cheese pairing can transport you around the world without any need
for your passport.
No dinner party is complete without a good cheese board. If you are
preparing a Mexican fiesta night, why not sample several Mexican cheeses
like queso fresco or panela? For a night in the Swiss Alps, you can offer
a nutty and fragrant Emmental cheese. And if you’re in a Greek state of
mind (and trying to forget a financial fiasco), feta would be even “betta.”
It may seem daunting at first to explore uncharted wine and cheese territories,
but it is easier than you think. We are talking wine and cheese, after all.
They go together like bread and butter, only much better.
To create a good cheese board (without your guests being bored),
you need one of each: soft cheese, semi-soft cheese, semi-hard cheese,
and hard cheese. However, many people mix and match according to their
individual tastes, offering more varieties. http://www.winemag.com/wine-and-cheese/
Soft Cheeses
These are mostly made from raw milk. They are often spread on
bread or crackers, and sadly, spoil faster than other cheeses.http://www.foodsubs.com/Chesoft.html
Cooking with these soft cheeses is not common, but they make a
great snack. Their creamy and decadent texture is often what people
love and seek from a cheese board.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_cheese
Some of the more popular soft cheeses by country:
Semi-Soft Cheeses
These types of cheeses may be made from pasteurized or raw milk, usually
whole milk. This depends on the aging of the cheese and the style that the
cheesemaker uses. Cooking with semi-soft cheeses is more common since they
can be more easily shredded. They are usually more pungent and salty than
soft cheeses, but equally delicious. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_cheese
Semi-Hard Cheeses
Similar to semi-soft cheeses, semi-hard cheeses are made using very much the same
process. They are classified as semi-hard cheeses simply based on texture. They
usually become crumblier and stronger smelling with time, tend to melt easier,
and are on the drier side. Semi-hard cheeses are not as full-bodied and are
milder to the taste.
Hard Cheeses
Hard cheeses are usually strong in flavor and fragrance. Eating a lot of hard
cheese might be difficult (but might be a boon to your lactose-intolerant friends).
They are often described as salty and sharp. Hard cheeses are easy to grate because
of their firm texture. Depending on the cheesemaker, these cheeses are made from
pasteurized or raw milk.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_cheese
Just because you and your friends aren’t able to take that trip of a lifetime to
the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum doesn’t mean you can’t get together and dream of
all things French and Italian through the mediums of wine and cheese. It’s the perfect
time to plan (or dream about) your trip, or simply pull down the blinds, roll out the
cheese and wine, and enjoy the culinary delights your region of choice has to offer.
- Italy: Mozzarella, Fontina, Provolone, Parmesan
- Mexico: Queso Fresco, Panela, Cotija, Anejo Enchilado
- Switzerland: Gruyere, Emmental
- France: Brie, Port du Salut, Chevres, Roquefort
- Spain: Manchego, Iberico, Cabrales, Pata Cabra
- Greek: Galotiri, Feta, Kefalotyri
After you’ve chosen a few cheeses, the real question is: what to drink with
them? (Hint: Not Orangina). You will most likely want to pair them with wine
from the same country. If you have a killer wine shop nearby that offers an
amazing selection of international wines, by all means, go for it! However,
for most of us, it will be easier to choose wine based on the type of cheese
rather than the region. Here are some examples of types of cheeses and popular
wine varietals to help make your night perfect.http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/features/wine-cheese-pairing-guide
It’s a hard fact: travel is expensive, and we’re not all in the position to take
the trip of a lifetime to experience the food and culture of foreign lands whenever
we feel the urge. Wine and cheese will soften the blow. Besides, everything’s better
with wine and cheese. Even if you can’t go on an amazing trip across the world, you
can save yourself the jetlag and create a night of culinary wine and cheese exploration.
Happy travels!
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