Wine and Cheese Pairing #1

Wines Choices

Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2021

Sauvignon Blanc Sunshine Bay 2022

Tilia Merlot 2021 

Cheeses

Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar and Gruyere

Smoked Gouda

This was our cheese board that we made for our wine and cheese pairing 

The first pairing

Chardonnay with Sharp Cheddar

• Creamy
• buttery
• light 

This pairing was very interesting it took away the fruit notes that are usually in a chardonnay. It wasn't as sweet with this sharp cheddar

Chardonnay with Gruyere

• Nutty
• Buttery
• light
• Earthy

This paring similar  as well very earthy and nutty flavors. It was still light but the sweetness of Chardonnay went away with the cheese pairing 

Chardonnay with Gouda

• Thicker
• Smokey
• Fuller in body 

This pairing with the gouda since it is a smoky gouda I could taste the smokiness of the gouda and it brought out deeper flavors with the Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc with Sharp Cheddar

• High acidity 
• citrus
• pear
• peach

This paring with sharp cheddar it was very citrusy and fruity even with the cheese. The acidity was very high with the sauvignon blanc. I really liked this pairing 

Sauvignon Blanc with Gruyere

• Apple 
• fruity
• light 

I tasted more apple in this pairing with the gruyere. I really enjoyed this paring it was very good and tasted light and fruity and the cheese complimented this wine very well. 

Sauvignon Blanc with Gouda

• Nutty
• Earthy
• Smoky

This pairing with the gouda took away all of the fruity elements of the sauvignon blanc. I tasted smokiness and earthy notes because of the gouda. The gouda overpowered this wine and I did not like this pairing 

Merlot with Sharp Cheddar

• It was not good very painful pairing
• Cheese made it worse
• Cherry flavor after

I did not like this pairing at all. I am not a fan of red wines but I wanted to try a merlot with cheese to see if I liked it but I could still taste the cherry flavors at the end of the wine. It was very deep and lots of tannins. 

Merlot with Gruyere 

• I still did not like this paring 
• Cherry flavor after 
• better than the cheddar
• Deep flavors 

I still did not like this pairing but it was better than the cheddar. Red wines I just don't think I enjoy as much as white wines but it still was very deep and I tasted cherries towards the end. 

Merlot with Gouda

• Thick
• woodsy
• Smokey
• Deep 
• Tabacco

I think this pairing was interesting again the gouda brought out the smoky flavor and tobacco and woodsy flavors. It was very interesting and this pairing did not go well together I just do not think gouda with red wines is a good mix on my palette.