Best Cheese and Wine Pairings

 

Cheese and wine are two of life’s great pleasures, and when paired well, they bring out the best in each other. Just like wine, cheese varies immensely in style, age, and character. Some are fresh and delicate, others are bold and complex. The challenge (and the enjoyment) lies in finding that ideal pairing where the flavours of both elevate each other.

Whether you're just beginning to explore pairings or looking to refine your palate, the right match can transform a tasting into something memorable. Fortunately, we've taken the guesswork out of it for you. Below you'll find a curated selection of classic and adventurous pairings that work beautifully with Tulloch wines, featuring cheeses from local Hunter Valley favourite Binnorie Dairy.

 

 

Soft Cheese & Crisp Whites

Soft cheeses are defined as much by their texture as their flavour. Creamy, buttery, and occasionally earthy, these cheeses often need a wine with acidity or sparkle to balance their richness.

Recommended pairings:

  • A ripe camembert with an oaked chardonnay offers a balance of richness and structure.
  • For a triple cream brie, consider a dry prosecco or champagne to provide brightness and cut through the fat.
  • Binnorie Dairy’s Binnorie Brie and Triple Brie are excellent options - refined, delicate, and ideal with a crisp white.

Hard Cheese & Red Wines

Hard cheeses typically offer a firmer texture and more concentrated, savoury flavour. As they age, their salt content and umami intensify, making them well-suited to red wines with tannin and depth.

Recommended pairings:

  • A nutty gruyère with a medium bodied Hunter Shiraz highlights the gentle fruitiness and acidity of the wine.
  • Young cheddar pairs well with a dry Hunter Semillon, offering a clean contrast of texture and brightness.
  • Aged or smoked cheddar holds its own against a Hunter Valley shiraz or cabernet sauvignon, with their dark fruit, tannins and spice complementing the cheese’s depth.
  • Binnorie’s vintage cheddar is bold, rich, and particularly enjoyable alongside full-bodied reds.

Blue Cheese & Sweet Wines

Blue cheese is distinctive and assertive - often salty, sharp, and intensely flavoured. While not for everyone, it can become a favourite when paired with the right wine.

Recommended pairings:

  • A late picked Verdelho with a sharp blue cheese balances sweetness with savoury.
  • A light rosé can also work well, particularly with creamier, milder blue cheeses.

Look for contrast: the saltier and stronger the cheese, the more sweetness or acidity you’ll want from your wine.

 

 

Suggested Tulloch Wines to Pair

  • EM Limited Release Chardonnay 2024

From 30+ year old vines, this traditional chardonnay is full-bodied and oak-driven with stone fruit notes.
Pair with: Binnorie Brie or Camembert.

  • Tulloch Range Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Matured in French oak for 6–9 months, this wine shows tannin structure and fruity sweetness with notes of blackcurrant and tomato bush.
Pair with: Aged cheddar or hard, savoury cheeses.

  • Limited Release Chairman's Shiraz 2023

With fruit sourced from the cool climate regions of Orange and Hilltops, this wine is matured in French oak offering structured berry fruit and peppery complexity.
Pair with: Aged or smoked cheddar, or other bold hard cheeses.

 

Pairing wine and cheese is as much about personal preference as it is about tradition. Use these suggestions as a starting point, then explore. Whether you're creating a platter for friends or enjoying a quiet evening at home, the right combination can offer a richer, more nuanced tasting experience.

With Tulloch wines and Hunter Valley cheeses from Binnorie Dairy, you have everything you need to begin (or deepen) your journey into one of the most rewarding food and wine pairings.

 

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