The Wines You Should Be Drinking With Stinky Cheeses

Pairing wine with stinky cheese can transform a culinary experience into a delightful adventure. The bold and pungent flavors of cheeses like Roquefort, Limburger, or Taleggio demand wines that can stand up to their intensity without being overwhelmed. A classic choice is a robust red wine, such as a Syrah or a bold Cabernet Sauvignon, which can complement the rich and creamy textures while balancing the cheese's strong aromas. Alternatively, a sweet wine like Sauternes or Port can provide a contrasting sweetness that mellows the sharpness of the cheese, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. For those who prefer white wines, a full-bodied Chardonnay with a touch of oak or a rich Viognier can offer a refreshing counterpoint to the cheese's pungency, enhancing its creamy and nutty notes. Sparkling wines, like Champagne or Prosecco, with their effervescence and acidity, can also cleanse the palate and add a lively contrast to the dense flavors. Ultimately, the key is to experiment and find combinations that tantalize your taste buds, embracing the boldness of the cheese while exploring the depth and complexity of the wines.
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Look out for wines with earthy and acidic notes

For those unfamiliar, pungent cheeses may seem unappealing at first, but despite their strong taste and aroma, they are considered a delicacy. There is a wide variety of stinky cheeses, ranging from soft to hard textures, all of which are aged in a salty solution that promotes the growth of the bacteria b. linens, responsible for their distinctive odor. To truly appreciate the bold and unique flavors of these cheeses, it's best to pair them with a wine that has a matching flavor profile.

"I suggest earthy red wines," Browne notes, adding, "gamays are especially enjoyable to experiment with alongside stinky cheese." Gamay wines are light-bodied reds that feature earthy and floral characteristics. They generally have lower tannin levels compared to other red wines due to the thinner skins of gamay grapes. The vibrant, fruit-forward taste of gamay and other lighter reds provides a nice contrast to the strong flavors of pungent cheeses like Limburger and Epoisses.

For white wine options, Browne recommends "high-acidity wines with notes of stone fruit or apple, making chenin blanc a top choice." The acidity in these wines helps to cut through the richness of stinky cheeses, refreshing your palate between bites. If you need assistance in selecting a bottle, our guide to the best white wine blends for any budget is an excellent resource to begin with.

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