K & L Wines Cheese pairing advice

 

Below is a comprehensive table of flavour profiles (“tastes”) and recommended natural wine pairings, followed by a table of popular cheeses and suggested wine matches from the Kandlwinesonline.co.uk range. Where possible, I’ve recommended specific bottles or styles available from the K&L Wines website, and indicated which cheese tastes they complement.

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📌 Notes:
— Specific cheese-pairing suggestions on the K&L Wines site are limited, so many pairings use general wine styles from their catalogue with widely accepted cheese-pairing principles.
— Cheese flavour pairings are informed by classical wine-pairing wisdom (e.g., soft cheeses with crisp whites, aged cheeses with structured reds).

🍷 Table 1 — Taste / Flavour Profile & Wine Pairing

Taste or Sensation

Typical Food Examples

Recommended Wine Style from K&L Wines

Pairing Notes

Rich & Creamy

Brie, Camembert, triple-cream cheeses

Crisp White / Light Red (e.g., Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir) — Vita Amica Sophia Pinot Grigio

Acidity cuts creaminess and refreshes palate.

Earthy / Umami

Aged cheddar, aged gouda

Full-bodied Red — Alto Rouge Centenary Vintage (Stellenbosch)

Structure and fruit complement umami and fat.

Tart & Tangy

Goat cheese

Zesty Sauvignon Blanc — Nika Tiki Sauvignon Blanc

Bright acidity cleanses tangy cheese richness.

Salty & Nutty

Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano)

Sparkling or Crisp White  - Di Maria Prosecco

High acidity contrasts salt and enhances nuttiness.

Spicy / Bold

Aged spicy cheddar

Rosé or Fruity Red (choose from K&L rosé range)

Fruit softens spice while wine weight matches intensity.

Sweet & Rich

Blue cheese

Sweet or Rich White / Fortified styles (find Port/Sherry on K&L site)

Sweetness and fat balance intensely salty blues.

Delicate & Fresh

Fresh mozzarella, burrata

Light White (e.g., Pinot Grigio)

Light-bodied whites highlight freshness.

🧀 Table 2 — Popular Cheeses & Typical Wine Pairings (with K&L Wines Suggestions)

Cheese

Taste / Texture

Recommended Wine from K&L Wines

Pairing Rationale

Cheddar (aged)

Rich, savoury, slightly sharp

Alto Rouge Centenary Vintage — robust red blend

Firm tannins and dark fruit complement mature cheddar.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre)

Tangy, citrusy

Nika Tiki Sauvignon Blanc — crisp, vibrant white

High acidity cuts through richness and matches tang.

Brie / Camembert

Soft, creamy

Vita Amica Sophia Pinot Grigio — refreshing white

Soft palate cleansing acidity balances creaminess.

Parmesan

Salty, nutty, crystalline

Crisp white / sparkling alternatives on K&L

Acidity and effervescence highlight umami and salt.

Gouda (aged)

Buttery, caramel notes

Alto Rouge Centenary Vintage or medium red

Rich fruit and structure mirror butteriness and nutty notes.

Blue Cheese

Bold, salty

Sweet / fortified wine (seek dessert/port on K&L)

Sweetness balances bold salt and pungency.

Fresh Mozzarella / Burrata

Mild, milky

Vita Amica Sophia Pinot Grigio

Gentle acidity and citrus notes lift delicate milkiness.

🍷 Example Wine Picks from K&L Wines & Spirits UK

Here are some available wines on Kandlwinesonline.co.uk that work beautifully with cheese boards:

  • Alto Rouge Centenary Vintage (Red Blend, Stellenbosch) — versatile with matured cheddar, aged gouda and hearty cheeses. K & L Wines Online
  • Vita Amica (Life Friends) Sophia Pinot Grigio — perfect for creamy and mild cheeses, fresh appetizers. K & L Wines Online
  • Nika Tiki Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) — ideal with goat cheese, fresh cheeses, green salads. K & L Wines Online
  • Function Ready Mixed Case — offers a variety of whites and reds to serve alongside a diverse cheese board. K & L Wines Online

Pairing Tips (General Principles)

  • Match intensity: Strong cheeses (aged, salty) pair best with structured wines; delicate cheeses (fresh, creamy) pair best with lighter wines.
  • Contrast works: Acidity cuts richness; sweetness balances salt; tannin complements fat.
  • Serve chilled: Whites and lighter reds should be served at appropriate temperatures to elevate the pairing.