Pairing Wine With Gouda

Gouda, originating in the Netherlands, is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. It is a semi-hard cheese with a texture that is dense and springy, but can become crumbly with age. Gouda is soft yellow in color with waxed, inedible, rind. The flavor can be described as mild and nutty, with a hint of caramel sweetness, but will become more piquant and salty with age.

When it comes to wine pairings, you may be surprised to learn that reds are often most recommended for Gouda. If you prefer white, have no fear, we have some crisp white recommendations that will also heighten your Gouda experience.

Wine Characteristics To Pair With Gouda

Characteristic	Red	White
Sweetness	Dry	Dry to Semi-Sweet
Acidity	Medium	Medium to High
Tannins	Medium to High	Low
Body	Light to Full	Light to Full
Tasting Notes	Berry, red fruit, smoke	Tropical fruit, stone fruit, oak, vanilla

There is a wide range of characteristics here that will pair well with Gouda. Many of the pairings will be dependent on the age of the cheese. A young Gouda is going to be softer, slightly sweet, and more nuanced in flavor. This makes white wines a great choice as they won’t overpower the cheese.

As Gouda ages, it becomes crunchy and crumbly, the nutty flavor becomes more pronounced, and it develops a caramelly, almost butterscotch-like taste. Red wines stand up better to the rich profile of aged Gouda.

Best Red Wine To Drink With Gouda

Berries and nuts are a classic combination. The nutty flavor of Gouda makes a red wine with strong berry notes an excellent choice for elevating your cheese. Whether light or full-bodied, red wines also bring enough complexity to match the richness of the cheese. The key to finding the perfect red wine and Gouda pairing is considering the age of the cheese.

Grenache

Grenache is a fruit-forward, light red that really complements a young gouda. Try it with your next turkey and gouda sandwich.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This full-bodied, high-tannin red is ripe with berry flavor and notes of tobacco. It would overshadow a young gouda but is a perfect match for an aged gouda.

Pinot Noir

It is rare that Pinot Noir is a misstep in food pairings, and gouda is no exception. This wine will enhance young or aged gouda but is especially tasty with a smoked gouda.

Beaujolais

Similar to Pinot Noir, Beaujolais pairs well with many foods. Its berry flavor and earthy quality complement the salty, nutty cheese.

Best White Wine To Drink With Gouda

If you prefer white wine over red, you are in luck. White wines that have strong notes of tropical or stone fruits are great accompaniments to the salty cheese. A crisp acidity will also refresh the palate and bring balance to the cheese. White wines are a particularly great choice for young Gouda, which does not have the sophistication that an aged Gouda brings.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay, with its citrus fruit notes and vibrant acidity, is a natural pairing with gouda. For a young gouda, choose the unoaked variety, while an oaked Chardonnay offers more complexity to pair with aged gouda.

Riesling

Riesling is a highly aromatic wine and can range from dry to sweet. For gouda, choose an off-dry style, and the notes of peach and apricot will sing next to a young gouda.

Grenache Blanc

The citrus and green fruit are bursting in this dry white, and its notes of toast and honeysuckle make it a prime pairing for gouda.

Pinot Grigio

A young gouda is elevated by a light, citrusy Pinot Grigio. The crisp acidity of the wine brings balance and its notes of honey complement the nuttiness of the cheese.

Gouda & Wine Pairing Tips

To elevate your gouda and wine pairings, make sure you have the perfect accompaniments. Whole wheat or multigrain crackers, along with pecans or walnuts, are a great way to add some crunch. Fruit and cheese are always a match made in heaven, but apples, pears, peaches, and cherries will really elevate the cheese.

If you want to add some protein, salami, prosciutto, and ham are always crowd-pleasers, and gouda with chicken or atop a burger will take your meal to the next level. Gouda will also make broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and peppers more palatable to even the pickiest of eaters.

Best Wine To Drink With Gouda

As you have probably gathered, the key to choosing a red or white wine to pair with your gouda, is considering the age of the cheese. Whites are great for young Gouda, but red is the better choice for a mature, well-aged Gouda.