Wine and cheese are two very magical things, and finding the perfect match can be a delicious endeavour. As with any case of pairing food and alcohol, there are a number of things to consider, such as texture, acidity and flavour.

A few key things to keep in mind:

Sweet loves salty and salty loves sweet

 Salty cheeses such as blue cheese, pecorino or feta match beautifully with sweet wines. The salt in the cheese heightens the sweet in a wine, making for a harmonious match.

You can complement or contrast

Rich, creamy cheese is gorgeous with a buttery, oaky wine. But mixing it up with contrasting textures can be fun, too eg a sparkling wine with a creamy cheese will cut through the fat, freshening the taste buds before the next glorious bite.

Beware of tannins

Tannic reds can be fantastic alongside cheeses that pack a bit of punch eg aged cheeses. But tannic reds with young cheeses can be a bit of a flop as the tannins will strip away any available fats and leave the mouth feeling chalky.

A few matches to try:

Hard cheeses

Like: Cheddar, parmesan, pecorino

Try: Merlot, cabernet sauvignon or an acidic sauvignon blanc

Soft, creamy cheeses

Like: Brie, camembert, taleggio

Try: Champagne, sparkling wine or a smooth chardonnay

Blue cheeses

Like: Gorgonzola, stilton, Danish blue

Try: Riesling or port

Fresh cheeses

Like: Ricotta, mozzarella, feta, burrata

Try: Chenin blanc, pinot gris or sauvignon blanc.

Don't forget

Have fun experimenting with your cheese and wine pairings. There may be guidelines, but in the delicious game of cheese and wine there are no strict rules. Have a few friends over for a wine and cheese night and do some tastings to determine your favourite combinations. Beer and cheese is a gorgeous combination, too – have a look at our beer and cheese pairing tips here.

Check out some of our Toast picks below for companions to your cheesy delights: