Corney & Barrow

Wine chat and quaffing advice from
the Corney & Barrow wine experts!

Cheese Please

Wine and cheese is a match made in heaven, it’s an indisputable fact. And there are lots of reasons why they make the perfect pair. From a technical perspective, wine has naturally high acidity, which cuts through the creamy, mouth coating texture of cheese, and refreshes the palate as you eat. Then there is the pleasing clash of flavours as the salty, umami tang meets juicy, ripe fruit. But wine and cheese also have plenty of things in common. Both come in a dizzying array of styles, and are defined by country, tradition, climate, and a sense of place (or ‘terroir’). How and if they are aged, as well as the stylistic decisions of the people who make them, all play a part in determining the style of the final product.

As with all food and wine pairings, there are some classic matches that should please most palates, and a few of these are listed opposite. Instinct may have you reaching for red wine, but cheese comes in such a range of styles that some of the best matches involve white or even sparkling wines. Think about the style of your cheese; if the flavours are light and delicate, pair it with a wine that is equally light and delicate. If you have a strong, mature cheese, then a fuller style of wine is required to stand up to those bold flavours.

Here are a few classic pairings,
but don’t be scared to experiment:

• Soft cheeses like Brie demand high acidity to cut through that creamy texture. Grab classic sparkling wines like Champagne and Cremant for fizzy freshness. C&B recommends:
  Guy de Chassey Grand Cru Brut NV, £35.95.
  
• Goat’s cheese has an almost gamey flavour so it pairs well with the aromatic fruit flavours of Sauvignon Blanc, especially those from the Loire Valley.
  C&B recommends:
  Les Lys de Leon Sauvignon Blanc, £12.95.
  
• The sharp, pronounced flavours of aged cheese requires an equally gutsy wine. Think of rich reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz which possess lots of body and structure, as well as dense fruit.
  C&B recommends:
  Chak Cabernet Sauvignon Vina Nahuel, £16.95.
  
• Sweet and salty flavours are a dream together. Try blue cheese with Sauternes, Port, and late harvest wines.
  C&B recommends:
  Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest Joostenberg Estate, £15.95 half bottle.

Understandably, the thought of ordering a mixed case of wine to go with your cheeseboard might be a bit daunting. If you want to keep it simple with one wine, try the C&B 20-year-old Tawny Port, £39.95. This will pair with most styles of cheese and won’t clash with other cheeseboard accompaniments like nuts, dried fruit, and chutney.

By now, you are surely salivating into your copy of Ayrshire Magazine. The good news is that you now have a fantastic cheese shop on your doorstep as well as a fantastic wine shop, so you don’t have to go far to satisfy your cravings. The newly opened Mcgregor + Reid can be found on Newmarket Street in Ayr, selling a scrumptious selection of cheesy delights. And then hop across the road to Academy Street to grab the perfect bottle of wine from Corney & Barrow. Each month, the two shops are joining forces to recommend a cheese and wine of the month. Fancy putting the pairing to the test? Simply follow both shops on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on products, events and offers.

All wines can be found at Corney & Barrow Ayr (open Tuesday–Saturday).