Pairing The Right Wine with Smoked Gouda Can Create A Magical Experience

Gouda is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. It owes its name to the small Dutch town of Gouda. Cheesemakers here have been producing this semi-hard cheese since the 12th century. 

The cheese contains high amounts of fat and is sometimes aged for over three years. Smoked Gouda is made by smoking the cheese rounds directly or smoking the individual slices. 

This gives the cheese a nice smokey-ness along with the creamy texture and nutty flavors. 

Which White Wine Varieties Should You Pair With Smoked Gouda?

Smoked Gouda goes well with aromatic white wines like Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Chenin blanc. When choosing these wines, look for varieties that are semi-sweet. The light sweetness of the wine will perfectly complement the cheese’s smoky flavor.

Rich whites will also pair well with smoked Gouda. Oaked wines like chardonnay and Pinot Blanc will work well with the creaminess of the cheese. Oaked Chardonnay’s full body and buttery oakiness will mix perfectly with smoked Gouda. 

 

Which Red Wines Should You Pair With Smoked Gouda Cheese?

Many red wines hold up perfectly to Smoked Gouda. The most robust and flavorful red wines will complement Smoked Gouda’s richness. 

Look for wines like merlot, Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah. Arguably, the best pairing would be a leathery Australian Shiraz. 

 

Is Sparkling Wine a Good Pairing For Smoked Gouda?

Sparkling wine may go decently with fresh Gouda, but once the cheese is aged or smoked, it takes on new flavors and properties. This makes it almost impossible to pair correctly with sparkling wine. 

 

Is Rosé Wine A Good Pairing With Smoked Gouda?

One of the best wine and cheese pairings is rosé, with a young, tangy white cheese like feta. However, when paired with smoked Gouda, it will seem very misplaced. 

This is because rosé ‌has light fruit and floral aromas that Smoked Gouda’s rich smokiness will only overpower. 

 

Which Wine Varieties You Should Not Pair With Smoked Gouda?

Wines that are light in body and flavor will not hold up to the powerful taste of Smoked Gouda. Wines like Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Gamay, and most Pinot Noirs will feel watered down when paired. 

Final Thoughts on Pairing Wine with Smoked Gouda

Gouda cheese is one of the world’s most popular cheeses. It owes its name to a town in southern Holland named Gouda. 

Once this semi-hard and fatty cheese is smoked, it takes on new flavors that require more aromatic and robust wines. White wines like Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay and reds like Shiraz and Californian Sauvignon Blanc complement these flavors well. 

Avoid pairing this cheese with sparkling wine or subtle wines like Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.