How To Pair Rosé Wine With Cheese
Up your summer hosting game with the ultimate warm-weather wine and cheese pairings
Summertime, and the livin' is . . . cheesy.
Bad puns aside, it goes without saying that no alfresco dinner party or rooftop gathering is complete without a cheese plate—and a few perfectly paired wines to accompany it.
I'm a fan of matching truffle Brie with a voluptuous, full-bodied and dry rosé like Long Meadow Ranch's 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir from California's Anderson Valley or Warwick Estate's 2016 The First Lady rosé, a South African Pinotage. Here, three other experts weigh in with their suggestions for other great combos.
Céline Bossart is a freelance spirits and travel writer with an affinity for 50/50 gin martinis and Kate Moss anecdotes. Follow her on Instagram at @celineb0ss.
Aged Goat Gouda + Fruit-Forward Rosé
"Everyone enjoys a more fruit-forward rosé this time of year. Try Robert Sinskey's Vin Gris of Pinot Noir with aged goat Goudas like Central Coast Creamery's version or the Brabander from Holland." —Michael Zilber, head of marketing at Cowgirl Creamery and Tomales Bay Foods (Point Reyes/Petaluma, California)
Semi-Firm Sheep's Milk + Citrusy Rosé
"If you're planning a summer fete, a mix of hard cheeses is smart in the heat; the semi-firm San Andreas from Bellwether Farms in California is light and delicious. This delicate sheep's-milk cheese pairs nicely with a bright, vibrant rosé like the Vin de Porche from Cakebread Cellars." —Zilber
Rich Aged Triple Cream + Sparkling Brut Rosé
"Having a creamy, rich cheese is a must for a diverse cheese plate—even in summer. Cowgirl Creamery's Mt. Tam triple crème and its luscious texture pairs deliciously with sparkling rosé, like Domaine Carneros's Brut Rosé cuvée." —Zilber
Ripened Bloomy Rind Goat + Off-Dry Rosé
"Teutonic Wine Company's 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir is an off-dry rosé with lush, fruity notes and a crisp finish that would taste fantastic alongside a soft, ripened goat's-milk cheese with a bloomy rind. Try the Fromager d'Affinois Florette." —Rae Ekstrom, host of Sip City PDX (Portland, Oregon)
Creamy Goat + Cool Climate New Zealand Pinot Noir Rosé
"Most rosés are subtle and delicate, so they should also be matched with cheeses in in the same flavor spectrum. Central Otago in New Zealand is famous for its Pinot Noir; being from a cool climate, the wine has crisp acidity and pairs well with a nutty goat cheese." —Scott Aliprandi, winemaker and vineyard manager at Creagh Wines (Central Otago, New Zealand)
Creamy Havarti or Feta + Warm-Climate Rosé
"Rosés from warmer climates, and ones made from varieties such as Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet, are usually fuller bodied and go well with richer semisoft cheeses like a creamy Havarti, which has a soft, sticky texture and acidic finish. These fruitier rosés can also be matched with feta—there's just the right amount of red fruit without any of the tannins that salty cheese exaggerates." —Aliprandi