Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied and bold red wine that is known for its rich flavor and tannins. This wine pairs exceptionally well with a variety of cheeses, particularly hard cheeses. Hard cheeses are known for their sharp and nutty flavors, which can complement the boldness of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Aged Cheddar Cheese
Aged cheddar cheese is a classic pairing with Cabernet Sauvignon. Its sharp and nutty flavor profile can balance the boldness of the wine, and its creamy texture can add an extra dimension to the pairing. The nuttiness of the cheese can also enhance the wine’s flavors of black currant and tobacco.
Gouda Cheese
Gouda cheese is a semi-hard cheese that has a rich and buttery flavor. This cheese can be aged for varying lengths of time, with older gouda having a more intense flavor. Its nutty and caramel-like flavors can complement the fruity notes of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine’s tannins can also cut through the cheese’s creaminess, leaving a pleasant finish.
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is a hard, salty, and nutty cheese that pairs exceptionally well with Cabernet Sauvignon. Its sharp and nutty flavor can complement the wine’s boldness, and the cheese’s salty taste can balance the wine’s tannins. Parmesan cheese can also bring out the wine’s flavors of blackberry, vanilla, and spice.
Manchego Cheese
Manchego cheese is a sheep’s milk cheese from Spain that has a nutty and buttery flavor. Its rich and creamy texture can balance the tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon, and its nutty flavor can complement the wine’s flavors of black cherry and currant. This cheese also has a subtle sweetness that can bring out the wine’s vanilla notes.
Asiago Cheese
Asiago cheese is a semi-hard cheese from Italy that has a nutty and fruity flavor. Its sharpness can balance the tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon, and its fruity notes can complement the wine’s flavors of black cherry and cassis. Asiago cheese also has a slightly sweet taste that can enhance the wine’s vanilla and spice flavors.
Cabernet Sauvignon pairs exceptionally well with a variety of hard cheeses. Aged cheddar, gouda, Parmesan, manchego, and asiago cheeses are just a few examples of cheeses that can enhance the flavor of Cabernet wine. When selecting a hard cheese to pair with Cabernet Sauvignon, it is important to consider the cheese’s flavor profile and texture to ensure a complementary pairing.
