Suggested Wines to Pair with Our Italian Specialty Cheeses
Cheese and wine make a perfect match! Many of the well-rounded red and white wines are compatible with several of our specialty Italian cheeses. From aged reds to zesty whites, it’s easy to find a wine that will effortlessly amplify the flavors and textures of our authentic cheeses from Italy.
Mascarpone is a triple cream cheese that’s sweet and creamy. Supple and spreadable, its flavor profile is divine with Chardonnays and other white wines, such as:
- Gloria Ferrer
- Sonoma Brut
- Kenwood Sonoma Chardonnay
Mozzarella delicate flavor makes it ideal for lighter wines that won’t overpower it. Fortunately, there are plenty of subtle wines that make delicious companions to Mozzarella, including:
- Rancho Zabaco Sauvignon Blanc
- Fetzer Sundial Chardonnay
- Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti
- Blackstone California Merlot
- Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG
- Ricasoli 1141 Chianti Classico
- Chateau Ste Michele Cabernet Sauvignon
- Stevenot Old Vine Zinfandel
Gorgonzola Dolce has a sumptuous flavor that compliments many Italian dishes. Its sweet and mild flavor and creamy texture make it a memorable pairing for a variety of wines, including:
- Verdi Spumante
- Bolla Valpolicella
- Valtellina Superiore
- Carmenet Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rosemount Cabernet-Shiraz
- Ravenswood Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
- Château de Parenchère
Gorgonzola Piccante is firm yet flaky and has a sharp flavor and sweet aftertaste. Intense and robust, Gorgonzola thrives with a range of wines, especially:
- Bolla Valpolicella
- Valtellina Superiore
- Carmenet Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rosemount Cabernet-Shiraz
- Ravenswood Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
- Château de Parenchère Bordeaux Superieur
Fontal is aged 60 Days to achieve its iconic Italian artisan flavor. Silky with a sweet flavor, it’s great with refreshing white wines and makes an especially perfect companion for wines like:
- Santa Ema Chile Reserve Merlot
- Pinot Grigio
- Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc
- Kendal Jackson Pinot Noir
- Santa Ema Chile Reserve Merlot
- Chateau Ste Michele Cabernet Sauvignon
Asiago D’Allevo Vecchio is wonderfully fruity and slightly sharp. Its texture is firm and crumbly. With its intense flavors, it’s a truly unique experience when savored with such wines as:
- Merryvale Napa Sauvignon Blanc
- Cavit Pinot Grigio
- Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio
- Kendal Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay
- Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Village
- Columbia Crest Merlot
- Ricasoli 1141 Chianti Classico
- Ravenswood Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmenet Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon
Grana Padano has intensely fruity overtones and a texture that melts in the mouth, making it an incredible compliment to refreshing, acidic wines like Sauvignon Blanc and others, including:
- Rancho Zabaco Russian River Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
- Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti
- Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico
Parmigiano Reggiano is fruity – packing especially strong and pleasing notes of spice along with a slight saltiness and invigorating pineapple aromas. It excels with a variety of wines, especially our recommendations below
- Columbia Winery Woodburne Cuvee Chardonnay
- Parmigiano Reggiano & Fontana Candida Frascati
- Il Villaggio Parmigiano Reggiano & Rocca Delle Macie Reserva Chianti Classico
- Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut
- Fontana Candida Frascati
- Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
- Cavit Pinot Grigio
- Columbia Winery Woodburne Cuvee Chardonnay
- Beaulieu Vineyards Coastal Pinot Noir
- Louis Jadot Pinot Noir
- Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti
- Fish Eye California Merlot
- Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico
- Rocca Delle Macie Reserva Chianti Classico
- Fish Eye Cabernet Sauvignon
Provolone Piccante is sharp and spicy, filled with pungent aromas and flavor. It tastes great with wines full of bright fruit flavors, especially deep reds. A slightly nutty cheese, its fruity flavors are balanced divinely by many wines, some notable examples include:
- Ruffino Libaio Chardonnay
- Bogle Phantom
- Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico
Ricotta Salata has a supple, mild taste. Nutty with a sweet, milky flavor it’s known as the classic lasagna cheese. It’s great in other settings too, and no matter how it’s served, it tastes great with wines like:
- Rancho Zabaco Sauvignon Blanc
- Fetzer Sundial Chardonnay
- Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti
- Blackstone California Merlot
- Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG
- Ricasoli 1141 Chianti Classico
- Chateau Ste Michele Cabernet Sauvignon
- Stevenot Old Vine Zinfandel
Pecorino Romano is deliciously pointed, with a salty and full-bodied flavor. It is an ideal grating cheese that enhances most pasta dishes – and wine with fruity, complex flavors, such as:
- Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc
- Beaulieu Vineyards Coastal Pinot Noir
- Ecco Domani Chianti
- Rosemount Shiraz
I have a small resto bar serving cheese fondue and also cheese platters please send me some new ideas.
Thank you