AJA Vineyards
There is nothing better then a classic cheese and wine combo! Today we will be talking about what wines go well with cheese charcuterie boards.
Fun fact: Charcuterie is the French word for pairing of cured meats. So let’s pair both cheese and charcuterie with AJA wines.
I can confidently say I think cheese is everyone’s favorite part of the charcuterie boards. You really can’t go wrong when selecting the perfect blocks of cheese for the board. I recommend building the board around the cheese you prefer and going from there!
If you are looking to pair rosé with your charcuterie board, I recommend going for a softer cheese, such as Brie or fresh goat cheese. These soft and creamy cheeses pair excellently with Rosé because the mild flavor of the cheese balances out the slight acidity of the wine. AJA’s 2021 Wildflower Rosé is the perfect wine to pair with these cheeses and charcuterie.
Red wine can be the perfect sip when indulging in a charcuterie board as well. Pairing red wine with a bold and hearty cheese is always a good idea since these cheeses can hold their own against the extra tannins in red wine. The bold cheeses include Gouda, Aged Cheddar, and Gorgonzola. For the perfect red wine to pair with these delicious cheese options, I recommend AJA’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. The bright and rich flavors of this red wine highlight the bold flavors of the cheeses I listed before.
White wine and charcuterie, the pairing almost seems too good to be true! White wine is very versatile when it comes to cheese combinations. Although this wine is excellent with many artisanal cheeses, I recommend enjoying it with Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Havarti, or Swiss. AJA’s 2021 Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect white wine for all of your charcuterie needs! The contrast of the bright and zesty notes of the wines with the soft and mild flavor cheeses brings a delight to the palate that is soft and unique.
A charcuterie board is not complete until it has meat! Adding dry-cured meats and other smoked goods can enhance the overall taste of a cheese board and really elevate it to the next level. More good news: charcuterie meats pair beautifully with many types of wine.
Meats such as smoked prosciutto, peppered salami, and summer sausage are good charcuterie meats that pair well with white wine like rosé and lighter reds. These meats add flavor and enhance the savory profile of the board. The bolder meats and more savory meats will go well with fuller bodied, savory, wines.
You can’t forget something sweet to finish off your charcuterie board. Adding rich, dark chocolate or sweet white chocolate covered strawberries to your board can really tie in all of the flavors and go well with the wine of your choosing. At AJA, we always say deep and rich dark chocolate pairs best with robust red wines. So be sure to pair our Cabernet Sauvignon with your Aged Cheddar, summer sausage, and pieces of your favorite dark chocolate bar. White chocolate covered strawberries pair best with our refreshing Rosé, creamy Brie, and savory prosciutto.
Cheers and happy charcuterie making,
Courtney