Skip to content

Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches, or June and the moon, or good people and noble ventures.

M.F.K. Fisher

There are some things in the world that were just meant to go together, like Chocolate and Peanut Butter, oil and vinegar, and of course wine and cheese!

Since time out of mind wine and cheese have been paired together and served at all the most important of events among the highest class of people. Wine And Cheese Day celebrates this eternal bonding and the elegance it engenders.

How to Celebrate Wine And Cheese Day

The best way to celebrate Wine And Cheese Day is by hosting a wine and cheese tasting of your very own! Get together with your friends and plan out the evening with every variety of cheese you can imagine.

Bring your Port Wines and your blushes, your champagnes and your reds and whites, and for each of them bring a parade of cheeses to be sampled. We’re not talking simple Sharp Cheddar but exotics like blue cheese and Limburger, Gorgonzola and Mizithra, all the wondrous cheese of the world!

Here are some tips to help you pair wine and cheese together effectively:

  • When in doubt, a firm and nutty cheese won’t let you down.
  • Cheeses and wines that come from the same place pair well together. Remember what we said about the French brie earlier?
  • Sparkling wines work beautifully with creamy, soft cheeses. This is because the wine has high carbonation and acidity, which acts as a palate-cleanser for the sticky and creamy cheeses, like Cremont, Camembert, Muenster, and Brie.
  • Sweeter wines and funky cheeses go together perfectly. Sweeter wines like Late Harvest dessert wines and Moscato go well with the blue-veined cheeses. This is because the sweetness from the wine helps to balance out the ‘funk’ in the cheese.
  • Aged cheeses and bold red wines go well together. Look for cheeses that have aged for at least a year when serving a bold red wine. This is because the cheese’s fat content will counteract the high-tannins in the wine. Cheeses you can serve include the likes of Provolone, Gouda, Manchego, and Cheddar.
  • Pair cheeses and wines that equal intensity. If you were to opt for a Cabernet Sauvignon and Gruyère, for example, the cheese would be overwhelmed by the bold and big flavors of the wine.

With these tips, you should be able to come up with some great wine and cheese pairings that you and your loved ones can enjoy.

You could even get everyone to contribute a wine and cheese pairing each, and then you could see who has been able to come up with the best match. After all, there is nothing like a bit of friendly competition, right?

Learn About National Wine and Cheese Day

National Wine and Cheese Day is a date that celebrates the ultimate pairing of cheese and wine. For a lot of people, there is nothing that goes together better than a great glass of wine and some premium quality cheese.

A lot of wine-producing cultures pair regional wines with local cheeses, and so this is an art that is recognized in many parts around the world.

Not only does National Wine and Cheese Day give you the chance to celebrate this tradition, but it also gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge in terms of pairing different types of wine and cheese.

There are so many different types of wine and cheese – it would be impossible to name them all! This means that there is always something new to learn when it comes to the art of pairing these two treats together.

And, of course, while there are some general guidelines to follow in terms of determining what sort of cheese is going to go well with the wine you’re serving, you can also learn a lot by simply trying out different combinations.

History of Wine And Cheese Day

There is an interesting element to all of the pairings mentioned in the introduction, with the possible exception of chocolate and peanut butter.

Pairings of food almost universally involve pairing an astringent food, like wine, with a fatty food like cheese. The reason isn’t just incidental, but in fact is one of the secrets of culinary science that’s used in creating truly delectable meals.

Astringent foods have a tendency to bind with the elements in saliva that lubricate and cause them to clump and lose their ability to lubricate.

This tends to leave us with a puckered mouth and nobody loves that! Even worse, the more you consume astringent foods the drier they make your mouth! While we all agree that wine and tea are both delicious, no one wants a puckered mouth!

This is where the cheese comes in with its fatty texture and often pungent flavors. Each bite tends to coat our mouths just a little more making it lubricated with fat, often to the point of being slimy! We love the flavors, but the constant build up of flavor can often be overwhelming, and that’s when wine comes to the rescue!

Wine And Cheese Day celebrates this pairing of foods and the ways they interact to make each one even more enjoyable!

National Wine and Cheese Day FAQs

Did cheese once serve as a status symbol in history?

Yes, in medieval Europe, certain cheeses like Parmesan were considered luxury items.

These cheeses were often gifted to royalty or used as a form of currency in trade. Their long shelf life and labor-intensive production made them symbols of wealth.

Why do sommeliers recommend sparkling wine with soft cheeses?

Sparkling wines, like Champagne, cleanse the palate with their bubbles and acidity. This balance cuts through the creaminess of cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

The combination enhances both the wine’s crispness and the cheese’s richness.

What are some unexpected cheese-based desserts paired with wine?

Cheese is increasingly featured in desserts, such as blue cheese ice cream paired with sweet Port wine.

This unlikely pairing balances savory, salty, and sweet notes. It’s gaining popularity in gourmet restaurants and culinary festivals worldwide.

Are there wine and cheese pairings for spicy cuisines?

Yes, mild cheeses like Gouda or Havarti pair well with off-dry Rieslings or Gewürztraminers. These wines’ slight sweetness complements spicy foods like Indian curries, creating a balanced and flavorful experience.

What role did monasteries play in pairing wine and cheese?

Medieval monasteries produced both wine and cheese as staples of their diets.

Over centuries, they refined techniques that ensured these two items complemented each other. Monks even developed many iconic cheeses, like Gruyère and Roquefort.

How do wine and cheese traditions differ between continents?

In Europe, pairings often reflect regional origins, such as French Brie with Burgundy wine.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., creativity dominates, with international cheeses and wines combined. Asian cultures also incorporate local rice wines with cheeses like creamy goat’s cheese.

What’s the science behind the perfect pairing?

Scientific studies show that cheese’s fat content mellows wine’s tannins. This balance makes wine taste smoother and enhances its fruity flavors. It explains why astringent red wines often pair well with aged, hard cheeses.

What’s an unusual wine and cheese pairing trend?

Pairing wine with vegan cheeses has grown in popularity. Nut-based cheeses, such as cashew Brie, pair wonderfully with crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc.

These combinations appeal to plant-based eaters and adventurous food lovers alike.

How do seasonal celebrations incorporate wine and cheese?

Winter holidays often highlight mulled wines with robust cheeses like aged Cheddar.

In contrast, summer picnics favor light whites or rosés paired with fresh goat cheese or Mozzarella. These traditions evolve with seasonal flavors and local produce.

What’s the oddest wine and cheese superstition?

In parts of Italy, some believed that eating cheese without wine could bring bad luck.

Wine was thought to aid digestion and counteract the “heavy” nature of cheese. While the superstition has faded, the pairing remains beloved.

Need some inspiration?

Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!

Also on ...

View all holidays

National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

Fudge and ice cream, one of the greatest combos in the world: head to an ice cream parlor, or make your own tasty, creamy, sweet hot fudge sundae at home.

National Hire a Veteran Day

Providing meaningful employment offers gratitude, dignity, and a fresh start for those who have served their country.

Carousel Day

Find a local fair or amusement park, or a designated carousel and have some old-fashioned fun. Or, stay home and watch the hit musical, “Carousel”.

National System Administrator Appreciation Day

System administrators sit behind the scenes and keep our technology running, so thank them for the work they do to make our modern lives as easy as possible.

View all holidays

We think you may also like...

National Amaretto Day

Mix up a cocktail with Amaretto, or try distilling your own almond-flavored liqueur and toast to the versatile, sweet and bitter, tasty Italian spirit.

International Happy Gose Day

A unique brew that balances zesty tanginess with a hint of salt, making every sip a refreshing journey for your taste buds.

World Vermouth Day

Aromas of botanicals, a hint of sweetness, and a dash of bitterness create the perfect cocktail ingredient. Cheers to vermouth!

National Bubbly Day

With its effervescence and delicate bubbles, this celebratory drink is perfect for toasting to life's big moments.

Calendar

Join the community!

Password requirements

  • At least one capital letter
  • At least one lowercase letter
  • At least one number
  • 8 or more characters

Welcome back!

Log in to get personalized recommendations, follow events and topics you love, and never miss a day again!