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Expert-approved wine and cheese pairings for festive nights in

Holiday wine & cheese pairings made easy

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wine and cheese
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There’s never a bad time for pairing delicious wine and cheeses, but perfect pairings truly hit the spot when hosting festive holiday gatherings. Throughout ancient history, wine and cheese have symbolized celebration and earned a place as an appetizer at every type of holiday party. Knowing the right type of cheese and wines to pair delivers balanced flavors and creates the perfect hors d’oeuvres for a special holiday together.

ALDI Director of National Buying for Alcohol, Arlin Zajmi, and Kim Brazington, Director of National Buying for Cheese, share their favorite holiday wine & cheese pairings to make hosting effortless.

Pinot Noir and Aged Gouda

aged gouda
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“Pinot Noir is known for its balance and versatility. Its bright fruit, hint of earthiness, and light body make it a natural match for complex, well-aged cheeses,” says Zajmi. According to Brazington, Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with Aged Gouda because of its firm texture and crunchy crystals, which give it a slightly caramel-like note as it ages.

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“The wine’s subtle fruitiness complements the cheese’s creamy texture. That fruitiness and acidity of the wine also help cut through the richness of the aged Gouda, while the subtle earthiness rounds out the cheese’s nuttiness,” she shares.

Tips for pairing:

  • Cut the Aged Gouda into small wedges or shards to show its texture.
  • Pair with simple accoutrements like dried fruit or nuts, which work well with the nuttiness of the cheese.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Vintage English Cheddar

Stock-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Wine-Glass
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“Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, with firm yet smooth tannins and rich layers of dark berry, tobacco leaf, and baking spice flavors. This variety of wine meets its match in a cheddar because earthy wines often work well with this type of cheese,” says Zajmi.

Pairing Cabernet Sauvignon with a Vintage English Cheddar, such as Aldi’s Emporium Selection Vintage English Cheddar, works well because the “Depth of the cheddar echoes the wine’s earthy and spicy profile that creates a seamless transition between each sip and bite. Together, they match each other in richness and intensity, creating a balanced, satisfying pairing,” Brazington shares.

Tips for pairing:

  • Cut the cheddar into cubes or slices and pair it with something slightly sweet, like fig jam or a touch of honey. The sweetness complements both the cheese and the wine. 
  • Decanting Cabernet before serving allows it to open up and soften, making it even smoother and easier to enjoy with aged cheddar. 

Gavi and Parmigiano Reggiano

parmiganio cheese
Castorly Stock / Pexels

“Gavi is dry, crisp, and balanced, with bright citrus and orchard fruit notes. It’s made from the Cortese grape, known for its purity, freshness, and mineral elegance, so every sip is clean and effortlessly sophisticated. A great tip for any pairing is to pair regions together. In this case, an Italian cheese is the perfect choice for this Italian wine,” says Zajmi.

“The versatile nature of Parmigiano Reggiano, with its rich, savory, and nutty flavor paired with Gavi’s acidity, refreshes the palate between bites, highlighting the cheese’s complex, aged character,” shares Brazington.

Tips for pairing:

  • Cut Parmigiano Reggiano into bite-sized pieces or shave for tasting
  • This pairing works well when serving guests with different taste preferences
Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving…
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