Wine Pairings with Medium-aged cheeses
Medium-aged cheeses, such as Asiago, Fontina, Caciocavallo and semi-aged Pecorino, have a flavour balanced between sweetness and savouriness, with a texture that is soft but firmer than that of fresh cheeses. The right wine pairing has to bring out their structure without overpowering them. Let us look at the best wines to pair with medium-aged cheeses.
Characteristics of Medium-Aged Cheeses and General Pairings
The choice of wine depends on several factors:- Degree of ripeness: more mature cheeses call for wines with greater structure and complexity.
- Structure and salinity: tastier cheeses need wines with good acidity and freshness.
- Method of consumption: if served with honey or preserves, passito wines or creamy sparkling wines can also be matched.
Best Wine and Food Pairings for Medium-Aged Cheeses
Recommended Soft Red Wines
- Barbera d'Asti DOCG – Perfect for Asiago and semi-aged Pecorino, thanks to its balanced acidity.
- Chianti Classico DOCG – Excellent with Caciocavallo, for its structure and soft tannins.
- Pinot Noir Alto Adige DOC – Ideal for cheeses with a delicate flavour such as Fontina.
Recommended Structured White Wines
- Fiano di Avellino DOCG – Perfect for slightly tasty, aromatic cheeses.
- Chardonnay Sicilia DOC – Excellent with medium-aged cheeses served with honey and dried fruit and nuts.
Recommended Sparkling Wines
- Franciacorta Satèn – Perfect for cheeses with a creamy texture and semi-aged ones.
- Prosecco Superiore DOCG – Excellent for balancing the natural sweetness of some cheeses.
Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing
- Avoid very tannic red wines, which could overpower the delicacy of medium-aged cheeses.
- Watch out for overly aromatic wines, which can mask the complexity of the more delicate cheeses.
- Avoid excessively sweet wines, which could result in too sharp a contrast.
Specific Pairings for Some Medium-Aged Cheeses
- Asiago mezzano → Barbera d'Asti, Franciacorta Satèn
- Fontina Valdostana → Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Sicily
- Caciocavallo Silano → Chianti Classico, Fiano di Avellino
- Semi-aged pecorino → Prosecco Superiore, Barbera d'Asti
Medium-aged cheeses: My personal podium
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1
“Dal Nero” Pas Dosé Non-vintage - Azienda Agricola Strologo Silvano
- Type: Sparkling wine or Champagne
- Region: Italy, Marche, Vallesina
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2
Clos Romans 2016 - Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves
- Type: Vino Bianco
- Region: France, Loire, Saumur
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3
Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2023 - Bernard Defaix
- Type: Red Wine
- Region: Burgundy, Chablis, France
All those I have tried
