You've planned for a fun social/networking hour at your next event and now it's time to decide what you'll do for food and drinks. Take a cue from respondents to the Midwest Meetings Wisconsin Planner Survey and entertain your guests with a cheese pairing!
The possibilities are limitless, as there's no one cheese that pairs with just one wine, beer, or food item. Let's take a look at four types of cheese and the possible food and beverage pairings they offer.
The possibilities are limitless, as there's no one cheese that pairs with just one wine, beer, or food item. Let's take a look at four types of cheese and the possible food and beverage pairings they offer.
 Blue Cheese Easily recognizable by it's dark blue to blue-green (harmless) mold (penicillium), blue cheese tends to be strong in flavor and aroma. Popular varieties include gorgonzola, roquefort, and stilton. Pair your blue cheese with: Beer: Belgian Ale, Weiss, Ciders and Fruit Beers Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Riesling Food: Apples, Grapes, Beef |  Cheddar Golden or white, cheddar has a rich, nutty flavor that becomes increasingly sharp with age and is the most widely made cheese in the world. Pair your cheddar with: Beer: Bock, Brown Ale, Pale Ale Wine: Merlot, Chardonnay, or Pinot Gris Food: Pears, Nuts, Poultry |
 Gouda This semi-hard cheese originated in Holland in the 6th century. Ripened for one to six months, and some up to five or six years, Gouda has a rich, buttery, slightly sweet flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. Pair your gouda with: Beer: Lager, Porter, or Stout Wine: Chianti, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec Food: Apples, Butter Crackers, Pork |  Brie A white mold applied to the surface of the cheese produces enzymes which ripen it from the outside in. The result is a rich, earthy mushroomy flavor - mild when young, pungent with age. Pair your brie with: Beer: Ciders and Fruit Beers, Pale Ale Wine: Champagne, Merlot, Pinot Gris Food: Dried Fruits, Pears, Vegetables |
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Pairing cheeses with other food and beverages can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. There are no hard and fast rules, only guidelines, so be creative and don't be afraid to experiment. There's a wealth of information available on the internet. For these pairings, I went to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and used their handy cheese pairing tool. Wisconsin alone offers more than 600 varieties, types, and styles of cheese!
Most importantly, seek the expert advice from the chef, sommelier, and/or cicerone you are working with for your event and have fun as you and your guest explore some amazing flavor combinations!
Most importantly, seek the expert advice from the chef, sommelier, and/or cicerone you are working with for your event and have fun as you and your guest explore some amazing flavor combinations!
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