Savor the simplicity of a perfect pairing…

A great wine or beer pairing should not merely enhance the flavor of the beverage; it should also improve your perception of the cheese itself.

Both the beverage and the cheese are raised to new heights. Finding the right beverage can be challenging, but the process is fun and informative, everyone has a different idea of what pairs well.

Even though it comes down to personal taste, certain guidelines have been proven favorable by a majority of enthusiasts. Here are some of those basic truths:

* Sparkling wine, Processo, Cava and lighter wines, like a Sauvignon Blanc pair best with soft cheese, like fresh goat or young bloomy rinds.

* Fruity white wines (not dry) like a Riesling or unoaked Chardonnay, or an IPA brew pair well with house tommes or nutty Goudas.

* Red wines and golden ales match best with semi-hard and hard cheeses like Cheddar and Pecorino. Even bigger reds like a Zinfandel, pair well with the cheeses from the washed rind and Blue cheese family.

* The more pungent the cheese you choose, the more fortified the wine or beer needs to be; big tastes like big tastes. So say Porter Ale with a Smokey Blue cheese.

*Most of the sweeter white wines, late harvest dessert wine, ice wines and hard ciders, nicely complement a full range of cheeses.

Additionally, sparkling wines and champagnes can help cleanse the palette when pairing cheeses with a high fat profile.  Therefore, the spicy zing of a Gewürztraminer or the peachy zip of a Riesling is ideal for a pairing if you are selecting a wide range of cheese for tasting.