• ENTERTAINING, FOOD + DRINK

An Easy and Illustrated Guide on the Best Wine and Cheese Pairings

Whoever said that wine and cheese cures all, they were right. I’m not sure who exactly said that but I’m saying it now. While all (well, most) wine and cheese combo tastes amazing, there is a method to the madness on wine and cheese pairings. It’s hard to know where to even begin and that’s why I’ve done the hard part for you. Also, I needed pictures for this blog post and so it gave me an excuse to buy a lot of cheese (already had the wine, thank you Winc), because I have to have perfect photos for the blog right?! Click here to get $22 off your order from Winc. You won’t regret it!

Writing this also inspired me to round up Some of the Most Beautiful and Durable Cheese Boards, so be sure to check that out if you’re in the market for a new board!

Anyway, keep reading to see a breakdown of wine and cheese categories, as well as the best wine and cheese pairings. Keep in mind that some wines and cheeses overlap categories.

CHEESE BREAKDOWN

Ok, first step. Let’s break cheese down into categories and most popular types under each category.

Fresh: Mozzarella, Burrata, I’m Italian and my people have the best cheese, Ricotta, Mascarpone, Feta
Soft: Brie, Camembert, Goat, Neufchâtel, Robiola
Semi-soft: Havarti, Provolone, Gouda, Gruyère, Emmenthaler, Monterey Jack, Raclette, Fontina
Hard: Pecorino, Cheddar, Comté, Parmesan, Asiago, Grana Padano, Manchego, Colby, Swiss
Blue: Bleu cheese, Stilton, Cambozola, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Fourme d’Ambert

Most Popular Cheese by Category

WINE BREAKDOWN

Now, let’s break wine down into categories and most popular types under each category. BTW, I get almost all of wine from Winc and it is incredible – if you want to get $22 off your order from Winc, click here.

Light bodied red, less than 12.5%: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Grenache, Lambrusco, Gamay, Rosé
Medium bodied red, between 12.5 – 13.5%: Bordeaux, Merlot, Shiraz, Nebbiolo, Valpolicella, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Chianti, Rosé
Full bodied red, over 13.5%: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Malbec, Nero d’Avola, Tempranillo (Rioja)
Dry white: Pinot Grigio, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet, Vermentino, Chenin Blanc
Sweet white: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Moscato, Tokaji, Vouvray, Port
Sparkling: Champagne, Prosecco, Rosé
Port: White, Tawny (very sweet), Ruby, Rosé
Dessert wine: Noble Rot, Ice, Fortified (Sherry), Late Harvest, Sherry

Most Popular Wine by Category

PAIRINGS BREAKDOWN

Now, for the actual wine and cheese pairings. Let’s simplify this because at the end of the day we are still talking about wine and cheese and let’s face it…you can’t go wrong. Below is a little chart I made to put everything together! That chart took me about….well let’s not go there. But I loved creating it and it really was worth it.

Fresh Cheese > Light or Medium Bodied Red, Dry White
Soft Cheese > Light Bodied Red, Dry White, or Sparkling
Semi-Soft Cheese > Medium Bodied Red or Dry White
Hard Cheese > Medium or Full Bodied Red, Sparkling, or Port
Blue Cheese > Light or Full Bodied Red, Sweet White, or Dessert

Wine and Cheese Pairings Breakdown

MY FAVORITE PAIRINGS

Here are some of my favorite pairings…
Burrata and Sauvignon Blanc
Brie and Syrah
Gouda and Gewurztraminer
Pecorino and Chianti
Gorgonzola and Sparkling Rosé
Goat and Chenin Blanc *Drunken Goat cheese from Whole Foods is….the GOAT*

That is ALL my beautiful friends! Let me know if this was helpful, and DEFINITELY let me know which pairing is your favorite. One more plug for Winc because I love this company SO MUCH. If you want $22 off your order from Winc, click here. Until the next post!

BLACKBERRY GIN FIZZ 😍

What you’ll need:
• 5-6 blackberries (muddle and strain to make juice
• 2oz gin
• 2oz lemon 🍋
• 1oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white🥚

What to do:
1. Make your blackberry juice by muddling the blackberries well and straining the juice to get rid of the seeds.
2. Add the blackberry juice, gin, lemon, simple syrup, and egg white to a shaker WITHOUT ICE.
3. Shake!
4. Add ice to your shaker, and shake again.
5. Pour into your glass and garnish with lemon peel.
6. Drink up! 🥳

🔥HOT TIPS🔥
• When making any cocktail with egg white, you ALWAYS want to give the cocktail a dry shake with no ice, and then add ice and shake again. It helps it to “fizz” or froth up as well as combine into the other ingredients a lot better.

Would you try this?! Let me know in the comments!

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BLACKBERRY GIN FIZZ 😍 What you’ll need: • 5-6 blackberries (muddle and strain to make juice • 2oz gin • 2oz lemon 🍋 • 1oz simple syrup • 1 egg white🥚 What to do: 1. Make your blackberry juice by muddling the blackberries well and straining the juice to get rid of the seeds. 2. Add the blackberry juice, gin, lemon, simple syrup, and egg white to a shaker WITHOUT ICE. 3. Shake! 4. Add ice to your shaker, and shake again. 5. Pour into your glass and garnish with lemon peel. 6. Drink up! 🥳 🔥HOT TIPS🔥 • When making any cocktail with egg white, you ALWAYS want to give the cocktail a dry shake with no ice, and then add ice and shake again. It helps it to “fizz” or froth up as well as combine into the other ingredients a lot better. Would you try this?! Let me know in the comments!

We LOVE a good marg over here and I hear I missed national tequila day so hopefully this makes up for it.

I’m usually not one for spicy cocktails (they have to be done really well), but this watermelon jalapeño marg HITS.THE.SPOT. 🍉😍

What you’ll need:
• 3oz watermelon juice (see hot tips below)
• 2oz tequila (we used Casamigos Blanco)
• 2-3 jalapeńo slices
• 1oz triple sec
• 1oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2oz agave
• Dried or fresh lime for garnish
• Salt and lime zest for glass rim

What to do:
1. Add tequila to a shaker (NO ICE YET).
2. Add 2-3 seedless jalapeño slices (or more if you like it spicier)
3. Muddle.
4. Add ice, watermelon juice, triple sec, lime juice, and agave.
5. Shake!
6. Pour into your glass that should be filled with ice and rimmed with salt/lime zest. 🧂🍋
7. Garnish with a dried or fresh lime slice.
8. Make a million more because 😍😍😍😍

🔥HOT TIPS 🔥
• How I make watermelon juice: I blend fresh chunks of watermelon (blend well) and then strain the juice 2-3 times, depending on the thickness that I want. This avoids that buildup at the top of a cocktail when it sits for a few minutes.
• If you want to add even more spice, you can put a few jalapeño slices in your drink and let them sit as you sip.

Let me know in the comments if you like spicy cocktails!

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We LOVE a good marg over here and I hear I missed national tequila day so hopefully this makes up for it. I’m usually not one for spicy cocktails (they have to be done really well), but this watermelon jalapeño marg HITS.THE.SPOT. 🍉😍 What you’ll need: • 3oz watermelon juice (see hot tips below) • 2oz tequila (we used Casamigos Blanco) • 2-3 jalapeńo slices • 1oz triple sec • 1oz fresh lime juice • 1/2oz agave • Dried or fresh lime for garnish • Salt and lime zest for glass rim What to do: 1. Add tequila to a shaker (NO ICE YET). 2. Add 2-3 seedless jalapeño slices (or more if you like it spicier) 3. Muddle. 4. Add ice, watermelon juice, triple sec, lime juice, and agave. 5. Shake! 6. Pour into your glass that should be filled with ice and rimmed with salt/lime zest. 🧂🍋 7. Garnish with a dried or fresh lime slice. 8. Make a million more because 😍😍😍😍 🔥HOT TIPS 🔥 • How I make watermelon juice: I blend fresh chunks of watermelon (blend well) and then strain the juice 2-3 times, depending on the thickness that I want. This avoids that buildup at the top of a cocktail when it sits for a few minutes. • If you want to add even more spice, you can put a few jalapeño slices in your drink and let them sit as you sip. Let me know in the comments if you like spicy cocktails!

**casually posts on IG as if she hasn’t been gone for months**

Let’s get back into it!

Sweet, refreshing, TART, this Aperol gin and grapefruit drink is a BOMB summer staple. I tried so many variations of this and I think I nailed it. Fair warning, if you don’t like bitter cocktails, this probably is not for you 🤣. If you’re a grapefruit lover like me, this is it.

What you’ll need:
• 2oz gin
• 1oz Aperol
• 4oz grapefruit juice 🍊
• 1oz lemon juice 🍋
• 1oz rosemary syrup (see below for easy instructions)
• Club soda
• Grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig for garnish

What to do:
1. Make your rosemary syrup first so it can cool. To do this, you’ll need 1 cup water, 1 cup cane sugar, and 2-3 sprigs rosemary. Put these ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil, and cook until sugar dissolves. Then, let it cool and boom, done.
2. In a glass filled with ice, pour your gin, Aperol, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup.
3. Stir gently.
4. Top with club soda.
5. Garnish with grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig.
6. ENJOY!

Leave a comment below if you think you’d try this at home!

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**casually posts on IG as if she hasn’t been gone for months** Let’s get back into it! Sweet, refreshing, TART, this Aperol gin and grapefruit drink is a BOMB summer staple. I tried so many variations of this and I think I nailed it. Fair warning, if you don’t like bitter cocktails, this probably is not for you 🤣. If you’re a grapefruit lover like me, this is it. What you’ll need: • 2oz gin • 1oz Aperol • 4oz grapefruit juice 🍊 • 1oz lemon juice 🍋 • 1oz rosemary syrup (see below for easy instructions) • Club soda • Grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig for garnish What to do: 1. Make your rosemary syrup first so it can cool. To do this, you’ll need 1 cup water, 1 cup cane sugar, and 2-3 sprigs rosemary. Put these ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil, and cook until sugar dissolves. Then, let it cool and boom, done. 2. In a glass filled with ice, pour your gin, Aperol, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup. 3. Stir gently. 4. Top with club soda. 5. Garnish with grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig. 6. ENJOY! Leave a comment below if you think you’d try this at home!

POMEGRANATE MEZCAL BEAUTY

What you’ll need:
• 2oz Mezcal
• 2oz pomegranate juice
• 1oz lemon juice 🍋
• .5oz agave
• Club soda to top with
• Lemon wheel for garnish
• Salt and lemon zest for rim

What to do:
1. Add mezcal, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and agave to your shaker.
2. Add ice to shaker.
3. SHAKE THAT THING 🤝
4. Pour into your glass over ice (see below for salt rim instructions).
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with lemon wheel.
7. DRINK UP AND REPEAT!

🍋🧂HOW TO: SALT RIM🧂🍋
1. In a deep bowl, add salt and lemon zest.
2. In a separate bowl, pour lemon juice.
3. Dip your glass first in the lemon juice, then in the salt/lemon zest mixture.
4. VOILÁ!

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POMEGRANATE MEZCAL BEAUTY What you’ll need: • 2oz Mezcal • 2oz pomegranate juice • 1oz lemon juice 🍋 • .5oz agave • Club soda to top with • Lemon wheel for garnish • Salt and lemon zest for rim What to do: 1. Add mezcal, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and agave to your shaker. 2. Add ice to shaker. 3. SHAKE THAT THING 🤝 4. Pour into your glass over ice (see below for salt rim instructions). 5. Top with club soda. 6. Garnish with lemon wheel. 7. DRINK UP AND REPEAT! 🍋🧂HOW TO: SALT RIM🧂🍋 1. In a deep bowl, add salt and lemon zest. 2. In a separate bowl, pour lemon juice. 3. Dip your glass first in the lemon juice, then in the salt/lemon zest mixture. 4. VOILÁ!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

I have been horrible about posting but life has been crazy (says everyone ever) AND I started a new job 🙃🥳

BUT! Here is a quick little treat for you…

🍁🍎Rosemary Apple Cider Spritz🍎🍁

What you’ll need:
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 2oz Aperol
• Prosecco
• Rosemary sprigs
• Orange slice

What to do:
1. In a shaker with ice, add apple cider, Aperol, and 2 rosemary sprigs.
2. Shake!
3. Add ice to a glass.
4. Strain shaker contents into your glass.
5. Top with Prosecco (at your discretion 😉).
6. Garnish with Rosemary sprig and orange slice.

We love a good spritz don’t we?! Happy Friday party people! 🥳🥳

#happyfriday #aperolspritz #cocktailrecipe

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HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! I have been horrible about posting but life has been crazy (says everyone ever) AND I started a new job 🙃🥳 BUT! Here is a quick little treat for you… 🍁🍎Rosemary Apple Cider Spritz🍎🍁 What you’ll need: • 1/2 cup apple cider • 2oz Aperol • Prosecco • Rosemary sprigs • Orange slice What to do: 1. In a shaker with ice, add apple cider, Aperol, and 2 rosemary sprigs. 2. Shake! 3. Add ice to a glass. 4. Strain shaker contents into your glass. 5. Top with Prosecco (at your discretion 😉). 6. Garnish with Rosemary sprig and orange slice. We love a good spritz don’t we?! Happy Friday party people! 🥳🥳 #happyfriday #aperolspritz #cocktailrecipe

🎃☕️PUMPKIN SPICE ESPRESSO MARTINI ☕️🎃

Who looooooves a good espresso martini BC SAME 🙋🏻‍♀️

What you’ll need:
• 1.5oz vodka
• 2oz Kahlúa or coffee liqueur
• 2oz espresso or cold brew
• .75oz Bailey’s
• Cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice powder

What to do:
1. Add all ingredients to your blender with ice.
2. Shake
3. Strain into your glass.
4. Garnish with pumpkin spice or cinnamon and a few coffee beans.
5. REPEAT.

#newrecipe #espressomartini #newreel

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🎃☕️PUMPKIN SPICE ESPRESSO MARTINI ☕️🎃 Who looooooves a good espresso martini BC SAME 🙋🏻‍♀️ What you’ll need: • 1.5oz vodka • 2oz Kahlúa or coffee liqueur • 2oz espresso or cold brew • .75oz Bailey’s • Cinnamon stick • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice powder What to do: 1. Add all ingredients to your blender with ice. 2. Shake 3. Strain into your glass. 4. Garnish with pumpkin spice or cinnamon and a few coffee beans. 5. REPEAT. #newrecipe #espressomartini #newreel

A MONSTER’S MIDORI SOUR - so easy and so perfect for your Halloween plans this weekend!!! 🎃💚👻

What you’ll need:
• 2oz Midori
• 1oz lemon juice
• 1oz lime juice
• Ice
• Soda water, to top with
• Lime wedge, for garnish

What to do:
1. Add all of your ingredients to your shaker.
2. Add ice.
3. Shake.
4. Pour into your chilled glass.
5. Garnish with lime wedge.
6. 🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN 🎃

How are you celebrating Halloween this year?! What are you dressing up as? Tell me ⬇️⬇️⬇️

We still don’t know what we’re doing so don’t ask me 🤣😵‍💫💀

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A MONSTER’S MIDORI SOUR - so easy and so perfect for your Halloween plans this weekend!!! 🎃💚👻 What you’ll need: • 2oz Midori • 1oz lemon juice • 1oz lime juice • Ice • Soda water, to top with • Lime wedge, for garnish What to do: 1. Add all of your ingredients to your shaker. 2. Add ice. 3. Shake. 4. Pour into your chilled glass. 5. Garnish with lime wedge. 6. 🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN 🎃 How are you celebrating Halloween this year?! What are you dressing up as? Tell me ⬇️⬇️⬇️ We still don’t know what we’re doing so don’t ask me 🤣😵‍💫💀

🎃PUMPKIN SPICE BOURBON APPLE CIDER🍎

That’s a mouthful but here’s the quick and dirty on this incredible hot drink. ☕️🍂

What you’ll need:
• 2oz bourbon
• 1.5 cup apple cider
• 1oz lemon juice
• 1oz honey
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice powder
• 2 cinnamon sticks

What to do:
1. Bring the apple cider, lemon juice, honey, pumpkin spice powder, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over medium heat.
2. Turn heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Take your pot off the heat and stir in the bourbon.
4. POUR.
5. Garnish with cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.
6. Cozy up and drink your little heart out. 😍

This one is GOOD. Let me know if you try it and make sure to SAVE this recipe for a rainy day ☔️

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🎃PUMPKIN SPICE BOURBON APPLE CIDER🍎 That’s a mouthful but here’s the quick and dirty on this incredible hot drink. ☕️🍂 What you’ll need: • 2oz bourbon • 1.5 cup apple cider • 1oz lemon juice • 1oz honey • 1 tsp pumpkin spice powder • 2 cinnamon sticks What to do: 1. Bring the apple cider, lemon juice, honey, pumpkin spice powder, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over medium heat. 2. Turn heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Take your pot off the heat and stir in the bourbon. 4. POUR. 5. Garnish with cinnamon stick and lemon wheel. 6. Cozy up and drink your little heart out. 😍 This one is GOOD. Let me know if you try it and make sure to SAVE this recipe for a rainy day ☔️

FROZEN BLACKBERRY MARGARITA🫐🍓🍸

🚨DISCLAIMER I had to repost this bc I made a mistake in the one I originally posted and my OCD wouldn’t let me live with it. 🤣😅

ANYWAY…

Are you the type of person that still drinks iced coffee in the winter (hi, nice to meet you 🙋🏻‍♀️)? If yes, then this drink is for you. 😉

What you`ll need:
• 8 blackberries
• 2oz tequila
• 1oz triple sec
• 1oz lime juice
• .5oz agave
• Ice
• Salt and lime zest for rim

What to do:
1. Add all ingredients to your blender.
2. Blend.
3. Pour your frozen blackberry margarita into your chilled margarita glass.
4. ALL DONE. DRINK UP 🥳🎃

🔥HOT TIP🔥
• If you don’t like the seeds in the blackberries you can blend the blackberries first (add a few more to account for the straining) and strain the juice and THEN add all ingredients to your blender. Idc so I leave everything as is. 🤪

Tell me in the comments if you’re an iced coffee in the winter type of person or if your drinks go with the seasons. 🍂❄️🌸☀️

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FROZEN BLACKBERRY MARGARITA🫐🍓🍸 🚨DISCLAIMER I had to repost this bc I made a mistake in the one I originally posted and my OCD wouldn’t let me live with it. 🤣😅 ANYWAY… Are you the type of person that still drinks iced coffee in the winter (hi, nice to meet you 🙋🏻‍♀️)? If yes, then this drink is for you. 😉 What you'll need: • 8 blackberries • 2oz tequila • 1oz triple sec • 1oz lime juice • .5oz agave • Ice • Salt and lime zest for rim What to do: 1. Add all ingredients to your blender. 2. Blend. 3. Pour your frozen blackberry margarita into your chilled margarita glass. 4. ALL DONE. DRINK UP 🥳🎃 🔥HOT TIP🔥 • If you don’t like the seeds in the blackberries you can blend the blackberries first (add a few more to account for the straining) and strain the juice and THEN add all ingredients to your blender. Idc so I leave everything as is. 🤪 Tell me in the comments if you’re an iced coffee in the winter type of person or if your drinks go with the seasons. 🍂❄️🌸☀️