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Wine + Cheese Pairing On a Budget

15 items

Joseph Roberts

This might just be the best time in history to be a wine and cheese lover. Well-priced, high-quality examples of both wine and cheese abound, and almost anyone can put together a gourmet wine and cheese pairing on a low budget that would have been im...

Sections

Sharp Cheddar

Goat Cheese

Parmesan

Brie

Pepper Jack

Sharp Cheddar

The number one rule of wine and cheese pairing: it’s more about what NOT to do. For Sharp Cheddar, avoid red wines with lots of tannin (the compound that adds structure and bitterness to wines), which can overpower cheddar’s delicate flavors. Go for ...

White wines with perky acidity, like Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, work great here (the acidity cuts through cheddar’s creamy texture).

Limarina Sauvignon Blanc

Go for lighter reds instead, like New Zealand Pinot Noir or Spanish Rioja.

Kim Crawford Pinot Noir

Spanish Rioja's lighter texture pairs well great cheddar!

Cune Rioja Crianza

Goat Cheese

The creamy texture and pungent, linear flavors of goat cheese are a wine pairing minefield, but can be magic and memorable when you get the pairing right!

Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc works wonders here, matching the perkiness of the goat cheese.

Rabble Sauvignon Blanc

This northern Portuguese white has the zing to stand up to the tanginess in goat cheese.

Aveleda Vinho Verde White Blend

Fruity reds like Australian Shiraz provide a nice contrast to goat cheese’s earthy flavors.

Peter Lehmann Portrait Series Shiraz

Parmesan

If wine and cheese pairing were a concert, Parmesan would be a loud lead guitar solo. Parmesan needs a simpler wine to act as support to its bold flavors.

Italian Prosecco's bubbles and fruitiness are a great backdrop to Parmesan’s savoriness.

Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico

Parmesan plays well with red wines, especially those with lower tannin and higher acidity, like Tuscan Chianti.

Ruffino Aziano Chianti Classico

You can also go for a full-bodied, simple, fruity red like California Zinfandel to support Parmesan's lead solo flavors.

Bogle Zinfandel Old Vine

Brie

Bloomy rind brie has is rich, decadent, affordable indulgence, and pairs well with wines that are similarly rich.

Big, fruity white wines like Pinot Gris from California work great here, especially if they also have a acidic bite to contrast brie’s milkiness.

J Vineyards Pinot Gris California

Wente Vineyards' Morning Fog Chardonnay is a great mix of creamy and vivacious: just the thing to match with brie

Wente Chardonnay Morning Fog

Steer clear of matching with most red wines. But fruity reds that are low in tannin will work, like this solid and delicious Beaujolais.

Jadot Beaujolais Villages

Pepper Jack

The tasty kick of Pepper Jack adds spicy heat, which can accentuate a wine’s alcohol, turning their warm bite into more of a searing burn. So proceed with caution!

Counter Pepper the spice with a white wine with some mouth-coating sweetness: an off-dry Riesling from Germany is perfect for Pepper Jack

Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" Riesling

Slightly sweet Gewürztraminer can handle the pepper, and provide richness to compliment the creaminess of Pepper Jack

Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer

Got a sweet tooth? Then consider pairing a dessert wine like Bordeaux Sauternes with Pepper Jack!

Dubourdieu Liaison Sauternes