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Pairing wine and cheese is an art, but with a bit of consideration, creamy cheeses like our Artisan Brie Soft Cheese can be paired with a variety of red and white wines.
Brie is a perennial favourite on the cheese board. Fresh or baked Brie is delicious with fruit or in a savoury context. However it is served, this buttery cheese deserves a wine that won't crowd out its mild flavours but will complement its unique nutty taste.
We have put together some suggestions of wines to serve with Brie to enjoy it at its best.
Brie is a soft cheese originating in the Brie district of northern France. It is pale in colour and has a chalky, grey rind. Traditionally, Brie cheese is made from unpasteurised cow's milk, but sometimes goat's milk is used.
There are two main French varieties:
Brie de Meaux has been produced in the town of Meaux for over a thousand years. It is one of the most popular cheeses in France and is sometimes called the Queen of Cheese.
Brie de Melun is made in smaller rounds. It has a stronger flavour and smell than Brie cheese from Mieux.
However, Brie is now made worldwide, and Somerset Brie and Wiscinson Brie are becoming more popular.
Brie has a complex flavour which develops as it ages.
Young Brie has a mild taste that combines buttery and nutty flavours. As it ripens, the taste of the cheese changes and the more mature Brie has a more robust and nuttier flavour.
The aroma of ripe Brie can have overtones of ammonia, which is not to everyone's liking.
Brie is usually made of full-fat or semi-skimmed cow's milk but is sometimes made of goat's milk.
However, even when it contains goat's milk, Brie is not classed as a goat cheese as the production and ripening processes are different.
Goat's cheese, or chevre, is often produced in rounds. It has a bloomy rind and a similar colour to brie cheese. However, it is a more pungent cheese than Brie and has a tangier flavour.
A sparkling wine and cheese pairing is a popular choice for Brie lovers. A light or medium-bodied white wine with a degree of acidity is also a popular accompaniment for Brie.
The luscious creaminess of Brie coats the mouth, giving a satisfying taste sensation, but it can be cloying. The effervescence of a fresh and sparkling champagne will refresh the taste buds.
Like many white wines, good champagne has just the right amount of acidity to break through the rich creaminess of Brie and enhance the eating experience.
Sweet sparkling wines like Prosecco can also be enjoyed with salty cheeses like Brie.
A cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc is another perfect match, particularly for younger Brie. The white wine's fruity notes and refreshing acidity complement the creamy cheese flavour.
The acidity and berry notes of a Riesling will also pair beautifully with Brie, and an off-dry riesling suitable for Brie can be served in a sweet or savoury meal.
Pinot Noir is an excellent wine pairing for Brie.
Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied red wine with low tannins, ensuring that it does not upstage the creaminess of even the younger Brie.
Sweet or fortified wines like port or full-bodied reds like Rioja have complex flavours that can overpower the mild flavour of Brie.
However, a soft Merlot could be an excellent match for a mature Brie cheese.
White sweet wine can be paired effectively with Brie and is a classic wine for a cheese board at the end of a leisurely meal.
The fruity sweetness of a light Chenin Blanc is a refreshing foil for the buttery, nutty flavour of Brie.
There are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks that will complement the luscious creaminess of Brie.
Cordials with floral or fruity notes, such as apple or elderflower, can refresh the palate perfectly and help you savour your next mouthful of Brie even more.
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