Just ascheesecomprises a range of textures and flavors — think soft, milky young cheeses or semi-hard cheeses offering piquancy or smokiness — so too does a wine’s character: light/crisp or rich/full, brisk or soft acidity, and aromatics that range from earthy or fruity to beautifully floral. Indeed, an excellent cheese and wine pairing begins with knowing how the personality of one complements and brings out nuances in the other. Thisknow-how of pairing cheese and winealso applies to fruit and cheese pairings.
Take the classic pairing of watermelon and feta: The light, juicy-sweet watermelon contrasts with the salty chunks of mild feta. And, in turn, the feta’s saltiness elevates the melon’s sweetness — these two are a match made in heaven! And each summer, we run toward ripe, brightly acidic tomatoes to balance a soft and milkyfresh mozzarellato make a perfectCaprese salad.
Here, we show you how theseason’s best fruit selections— from wintercitrustosummer stone fruits, includingpeaches, plums, and cherries; and pome fruits, such asapplesandpears, to tropicalmangoes and pineapples— offer a range of sweetness, acidity, and brightness from which to draw when paired with extraordinaryaward-winning cheeses. Add our recommended wine pairings (becausewine goes with everything), and you’ll create a lasting impression at your next gathering, and on your palate!
Citrus pairings: hybrid varietals
Winter citrus fruits, such as the grapefruit-tangerine hybridHoneybellor its cousin, theMandarin, are a great paring withWood River Creamery Cheddar Gruyère— a fusion of cheddar and Gruyère full of rich, salty, and nutty flavors. The fruit’s intense honey-sweet flavors play with the salty and nutty tones in the cheese, and its gentle acidity is just at the right level to cut through its fat.
The wine:Pinot grisoffers a crisp body with light acidity that doesn’t compete with the citrus.
Cara Cara orangesare a seedless varietal with a distinct reddish-orange flesh. They burst with red fruit flavors reminiscent of cranberries or blackberries, making them a delight to enjoy withLaura Chenel Grapefruit Fig Goat cheese, a lightly tangy, crumbly, sweet, and spreadable goat cheese.
The wine:Moscatois a lively, light wine with complementary aromas of citrus.
Tropical fruit and cheese pairings: Pineapples and mangoes
The juicy and sweet tropical flavors ofpineapplecontrast with savory, salty cheeses, such as the sharp and nutty flavors ofSeahive Cheddar Cheese, making them right at home on a cheeseboard.
The wine:Sauvignon blancbrings tropical aromas to this pairing, and its refreshing acidity works with the pineapple to balance the rich fat from the cheese.
Mangoes, like Ataulfo varietals, offer sweet honey flavors and a small pit for easy slicing. Pair any mango with award-winningFiscalini Farms San Joaquin Goldto bring out the nuances of this buttery, intensely flavored aged Parmesan-style hard cheese.
The wine:Look for a lighter-bodied wine with gentle aromatics, such asmoscato, or trysparkling wines, which offer an effervescent mouthfeel and a crisp, clean finish that balances the fruit and fat.
Stone fruit pairings: Peaches, plums, and cherries
Plump, juicy Oregold peaches,grown in Southern Oregon, have a deep sweetness and light tang, making them a terrific match for bright-tasting, tangy, soft, and creamy goat cheese. Slice fresh peaches, or serve dollops ofOregold peach preservesalongside Laura Chenel Coney Chévre.
The wine:A white wine with stone fruit aromatics and a medium-bodied to fuller mouthfeel, such aschardonnay, is just “peachy!”
Fresh plums offer dry, tannic, slightly bitter flavors in their skin — just like wine — and their flesh is sweet-tart, making them a great pairing with buttery, rich cheeses, such asBeehive Cheese Co. Promontory cheese, an Irish-style cheddar. Or enjoy tree-ripened and driedAngelinoplums for a more intense, sweet plum flavor. Create beautiful texture and variety, and add fresh and dried plums to a cheeseboard.
The wine:Merlotis lush with complementary dark fruit and spice that pair well with the dark fruit bouquet and tannic skin of fresh and sweeter dried plums.
Early spring cherries, such asPlump-Sweet Cherries, offer fresh, sweet, bright cherry flavor that is perfect for pairing with velvety rich cheeses, such as triple crème brie, and baked brie with herbal notes, such asGarlic, Basil, and Pine Nut Brie en Croute.
The wine:Maximize the cherry notes with the soft tannins and complex layers of cherry and wild raspberry notes inpinot noir.
Pome fruit and cheese parings: Pears and apples
Pearsare a “pear”-fect foil for original Touvelle cheese from Rogue Creamery. The pleasures of eating this cheese, which combines the creaminess of a Jack and the tangy, nutty flavor of cheddar, are enhanced by the sweet, crisp slices of pear. Or enjoyRoyal Verano pearsand Royal Riviera pears, both known for their superior sweetness and buttery texture. Match each with a buttery sheep’s milk Spanish Manchego, or try a salty, creamyCaves of Faribault St. Pete’s Blue Cheese.
The wine:Medium-bodied chardonnay has a creamy mouthfeel for creamy cheeses, or try something non-alcoholic likesparkling apple pear juicefor a festive beverage that highlights the pears in this winning combo. For red wine lovers, blue cheeses and pear combos are elevated by the deep black fruit bouquet of.
Juicy, sweet, crispapplesbalance the spicy, smoky flavors ofRogue Creamery’s blue cheeses, such as soft, crumbly, Italian-style Oregonzola, for a classic fruit and cheese pairing. Or try them in a classic pairing of aged white cheddar orGrafton Village maple-smoked cheddar.
The wine:Unlock blue cheese’s salty, umami flavors with sips of rich, fruit-forward red wines, such as.
Classic berry pairing: Strawberries and cream
Handpicked fresh, sweet strawberries are perfect for dipping indelicate Devonshire creamfrom southern England’s Devon Cream Company. This lightly nutty clotted cream’s richness will remind you of a cross between softened cream cheese and butter. Drizzle the berries and cream with chocolate sauce for an elegant dessert.
The wine:Roséelevates the pairing of sweet berries and mild cream with cherry, strawberry, and melon aromas.
