When you think of snacks that go well with wine, many people probably imagine "cheese." Of course, the combination of "wine × cheese" is a classic and staple of wine pairing. Some wine fans may enjoy this pairing every day.
This time, at "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we introduce recommended "Japanese Wine × Cheese" pairings under the theme of enjoying Japanese wine with cheese during winter. Enjoy these exquisite pairings that will surely bring a smile to your face.
"Wine × Cheese" is profound?
The combination of wine and cheese is a classic in wine pairing. However, there are many types of both wine and cheese, and the satisfaction of the pairing varies depending on which wine is paired with which cheese. The basic combinations are generally considered to be as follows.
Wine × Hard Cheese
Hard cheese refers to cheese that has had excess moisture removed, resulting in a firm texture. Because it can be aged for a long time, it is characterized by a rich umami flavor. Here are some representative hard cheeses.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Manchego
- Cheddar
- Comté
These cheeses are said to pair well with medium-bodied red wines, but cheeses like cheddar are also recommended to pair with fresh white wines such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Wine × Fresh Cheese
Fresh cheese refers to cheese that has not been aged and is considered a type of natural cheese. It is characterized by a soft texture, high moisture content, and a clean, refreshing taste without strong flavors. Here are some representative fresh cheeses.
- Mozzarella
- Cottage Cheese
- Fromage Blanc
- Ricotta Cheese
Also, Banon and Feta are considered types of fresh cheese. Fresh cheese has a soft and refreshing flavor, so it is recommended to pair it with gentle and light white wines rather than full-bodied wines. White wines with aromatic scents such as citrus, herbs, flowers, and tropical notes also pair well with fresh cheese. Rosé wines with red fruit aromas and refreshing acidity also pair relatively well with fresh cheese. Among fresh cheeses, pairing with sparkling wine is especially recommended. The refreshing bubbles, citrus nuances, and fruity flavors highlight the flavor and creaminess of fresh cheese, making the simple combination of wine and fresh cheese very satisfying.
Wine × Blue Mold Cheese & White Mold Cheese
Cheese includes a type called mold cheese, which uses mold. The flavor of the cheese changes depending on the type of mold, offering a unique and distinctive taste different from other cheeses. Mold cheese mainly includes white mold cheese and blue mold cheese.
★White Mold Cheese
- Camembert
- Brie
- Ronsard
- Baraka and others
★Blue Mold Cheese
- Roquefort
- Gorgonzola (Piccante, Dolce)
- Stilton
- Bavarian Blue and others
White mold cheese offers a strong aroma from its rind, a silky and smooth texture, and complex, rich flavors. Camembert is especially famous, and it is said to pair well with red wine, rosé wine, and sparkling wine.
However, even with red wine, it is recommended to choose medium-bodied red wines with soft flavors characterized by red fruits, herbs, and spiciness rather than those with powerful and strong tannins. Pairing with the creamy texture of the cheese tends to be more successful.
On the other hand, blue mold cheese, represented by Gorgonzola, is also a popular mold cheese in Japan. It offers a moderate saltiness, the stimulating flavor brought by the blue mold, and a rich umami. When heated, its richness and creaminess increase, allowing you to enjoy a more unique and addictive flavor. Blue mold cheese is known to pair well with honey, and sweet wines are often chosen. The mellow sweetness of sweet wine, the aromas of honey and apricot, the moderate acidity, and the melting texture create the perfect combination to further enhance the complex flavors of blue mold cheese.
CWS Recommended "Japanese Wine × Cheese"
Cheese is eaten all year round, but winter is a season when, strangely, you want to relax by pairing wine and cheese. From here, let's introduce the combinations of Japanese wine and cheese recommended by "CRAFT WINE SHOP" that will enrich your winter time even more.
Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery／VILLAQUA Yellow×Fresh Cheese
The Japanese wine you want to pair with fresh cheese is Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery's 'VILLAQUA Yellow.' This long-established winery representing Hiroshima Prefecture produces a 100% Chardonnay "Blanc de Blancs." "Blanc de Blancs," meaning white of whites, is a sparkling wine characterized by refreshing and fresh acidity and a well-balanced taste. Like Champagne, it is made using the traditional bottle fermentation method, with delicate and persistent fine bubbles creating a festive mood. It has a long aging period and emits rich aromas of honey, pear, and apricot. Despite this, the acidity is refreshing, leaving a rich aftertaste. The delicate and elegant bubbles and fruity flavor that evoke the sweetness of fruit are key points that refine the fresh taste of fresh cheese. The sharp acidity that highlights creaminess and the lingering aroma of 'VILLAQUA Yellow' enhance a rich feeling. It is a combination you will want to enjoy as an "apéro" before a winter weekend dinner.
Vinoble Vineyard／Vinoble Rouge Type Bordeaux 2022×White Mold Cheese
Vinoble Vineyard, which gained great attention when its Sauvignon Blanc was awarded the world's best (GOLD 95 points) at IWSC, produces the Bordeaux-style red wine 'Vinoble Rouge Type Bordeaux 2022.' It uses 45% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Cabernet Franc carefully harvested from its own vineyard deep within the winery. The wine is aged in barrels for 9 months and bottled unfiltered after blending, offering a complex red wine. Dominated by Merlot, it is a mellow and fruity medium-bodied type that is not overly powerful. You can enjoy a well-balanced pairing that responds to the unique flavor, creaminess, and complexity of white mold cheese. With an alcohol content of 11%, it does not overpower the delicacy of white mold cheese, and the umami unique to unfiltered wine enhances the cheese's deliciousness, making it a recommended pairing for winter time.
Vinoble Vineyard／Vinoble Rouge Type Bordeaux 2022
4,499 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
CruX／THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET×Blue Cheese
Experience the noble sweetness of the exquisite sweet wine 'THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET.' It is made by concentrating high-quality Koshu grapes from Yamanashi Prefecture using a frozen juice method, using three times the grapes of a typical dry wine, making it an extremely luxurious bottle. Since it is unfiltered and untreated for tartrate, you can fully enjoy the charm of Koshu. The sweetness, reminiscent of concentrated tropical fruits, pairs perfectly with the unique and distinctive flavor of blue cheese. Also, 'THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET' retains a sharp acidity that refreshingly balances the stimulating nuances and mellow aftertaste of blue cheese. On a cold, freezing winter night, why not savor an exquisite winter moment alone in a warm room with the pairing of blue cheese and 'THANKS, LOVE PREMIUM SWEET'?
Summary
Because wine and cheese are a classic combination, we want to explore even better pairings. Especially in the coming season when you crave cheese, many people are probably thinking about spending a wonderful adult time with perfectly matched wine and cheese.
The recommended pairings of Japanese wine and cheese introduced this time by CWS are foolproof combinations. Please enjoy your own winter time with Japanese wine paired with cheese.
