One thing that I always look forward to when having a meal is the perfect wine and food pairing. It’s an essential part of the dining experience that elevates both the flavors and overall enjoyment of any dish.
And what better way to go about it than pairing a delectable slice of cheesecake with the right wine?
Cheesecake is a rich, creamy, and delectable dessert that can come in various flavors and styles. Whether it’s a classic New York-style cheesecake or a fruity cheesecake variation, finding the right wine to match this dessert is essential.
However, choosing the right wine to pair with cheesecake can be tricky as sweetness tends to overpower.
So, in this post, we’ll explore some of the best cheesecake wine pairings, making sure that you elevate your next cheesecake experience.
Cheesecake Wine Pairing: The Best Food and Wine Pairing
1. Classic New York Cheesecake and Chardonnay
Classic New York Cheesecake and Chardonnay is creamy, tangy, and has a buttery crust.
To complement the richness of the dessert, pairing it with a full-bodied Chardonnay is ideal.
The buttery notes of the wine will complement the cheesecake, while the acidity will help to cut through the sweetness.
Chardonnay is a full-bodied and rich white wine that’s perfect for a creamy cheesecake. Its buttery and oaky notes, coupled with its slightly acidic flavor, make it ideal for enhancing the cheesecake’s creamy texture.
Chardonnay would pair well with rich or fruit-based cheesecake, ensuring you savor every bite.
2. Chocolate Cheesecake and Cabernet Sauvignon
Chocolate and wine are known to be a match made in heaven, and it also goes for chocolate cheesecake. The dark, intense flavor of the chocolate will be balanced by the tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon.
This pairing will leave a lingering flavor of dark chocolate and cherry.
Discover More: Best Wine for Beef Bourguignon
3. Lemon Cheesecake and Sauvignon Blanc
A citrus-based cheesecake with a light, fluffy texture is the perfect dessert for brunch or a warm-weather evening party. The tartness of lemon complements the wine’s floral and fruity notes.
A dry Sauvignon Blanc can balance the sweetness of the dessert, while the lemon’s acidity will work well with the wine’s crisp finish.
4. Cheesecake with mixed fruit toppings and Riesling
Cheesecake with fresh fruit toppings like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries is a fresh and healthy dessert option.
Pairing it with Riesling, a slightly sweet and acidic wine, will bring out the fruity notes of the dessert.
5. Caramel Cheesecake and Port
Caramel Cheesecake, with its rich buttery caramel topping, needs a rich and robust wine to complement it. Port, with its bold and intense flavor, is the perfect wine to go with the dessert.
Explore More: Discover the Best Wine for Pot Roast
6. Moscato Cheesecake pairing
Moscato is a sweet, light-bodied wine with a fruity flavor that pairs well with creamy and fruity cheesecake. The wine’s sweetness complements the sweetness of the cheesecake, while its fruitiness adds to the flavors of the dish.
Moscato is an excellent choice for those who prefer fruit-based cheesecake or those who want a sweeter pairing overall.
7. Merlot
Merlot is the perfect wine that pairs well with most dessert items, and cheesecake is no exception.
With its medium body and smooth finish, merlot offers fruity notes of cherries and plums, making it a great pairing for a classic cheesecake.
The sweet flavors will enhance the tanginess of the cheesecake, creating a balance that’s perfect for those who like to savor the flavors.
8. Port wine
If you want to add a little sweetness to your cheesecake, Port wine is an excellent choice. The dessert wine has a sweet, full-bodied taste with notes of dark fruit, making it a fantastic accompaniment to cheesecake.
The rich taste of the cheesecake complements the wine’s sweetness and helps balance the wine’s acidity, making for an enjoyable dining experience.
Cheesecake and Wine Pairing Guide
Choosing the right wine for cheesecake is no small task. There are so many different types of cheesecakes, and each type requires a different type of wine to properly complement it.
For example, sweet wines such as Muscat or Chardonnay work best with creamy or custard-style cheesecakes. Dryer styles like Sauvignon Blanc are better suited for ricotta-based cakes.
When selecting a wine for your cheesecake pairing, consider the texture of both the cake and the wine. Cheesecakes tend to be rich and creamy, so you’ll want to choose a wine that will stand up well to its heaviness.
A medium-bodied white, such as Pinot Grigio, or a light-bodied red such as Pinot Noir, are good choices. They’re also both fairly versatile and can pair with many types of cheesecakes.
Another way to narrow down your selection is to look at the flavors in the cake. Do you have a chocolate or fruit-flavored cheesecake? Sweet wines like Port or Riesling work wonderfully with these desserts, while dryer styles like Cabernet Sauvignon can help cut through the creaminess of the cake.
When it comes to savory cheesecakes, you’ll want something that has more acidity and tannin to balance out the richness of the cheese.
A medium-bodied red such as Merlot, or a crisp white, such as Sauvignon Blanc, pair well with these types of cheesecakes.
When pairing wine and cheese, it’s important to keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules. There is no one “perfect” wine for any particular cheesecake.
Ultimately, you should choose the wines that best match your taste preferences. Experimenting with different wines can be a great way to find the perfect pairing for your favorite cheesecakes!
In addition to selecting appropriate wines, you may also want to consider adding a few glasses of sparkling wine to your meal. Sparkling wines bring an extra layer of complexity and refreshment to the overall experience.
Try Prosecco or Cava for a light and refreshing option. Dry Champagne is also excellent with most types of cheesecakes.
Finally, don’t forget to serve the wines at the proper temperature! Red wines should be presented at room temperature, while white wines should be chilled in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving.
With these tips in mind, you can easily choose the best wine for your next cheesecake pairing! So, grab a bottle and be ready to enjoy the perfect bite of dessert with a glass of delicious wine. Cheers!
Wrap Up on Best Cheesecake Wine Pairings
Cheesecake and wine pairing is a great way to impress your guests at a dinner party or a special occasion.
Finding the perfect combination of flavors is a fun experiment and often relies on personal preferences. These five pairings will give you a good place to start, but there are many more wine and dessert combinations to explore.
Remember, the best pairings are when the food and wine complement each other without overpowering one another. So, go ahead and try out these perfect matches, but don’t forget to enjoy the experience!
FAQs
What red wine goes best with cheesecake?
The best red wine to pair with cheesecake depends on the type of cheesecake. A classic New York-style cheesecake pairs well with a bold, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
For a lighter version, such as ricotta cheesecake, opt for a bright, fruity Pinot Noir. If you’re serving an Italian-style ricotta tart, try pairing it with a Sangiovese or Barbera. Other flavorful options include Zinfandel and Syrah. Enjoy your delicious combo!
What wine goes with cheesecake?
The pairing of cheesecake and wine is all about the type of cheesecake you are serving.
If your cheesecake is made with a tart base such as lemon, then it pairs nicely with a crisp white wine such as Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.
If you have a richer cheesecake that’s made with cream cheese, opt for a sweet white like Moscato or Gewürztraminer. A dessert-style red wine like Ruby Port or Late Harvest Zinfandel also goes well with cream cheese-based cakes.
Finally, if your cake has a chocolate crust, then pour a glass rosé for an elegant finish!
Do cheesecake and wine go together?
It’s a pairing that many people seem to enjoy, and it can make for an interesting and unique dessert experience. While cheesecake is often served with coffee or tea, wine can provide another layer of flavor and complexity to the dessert.
The sweetness of the wine will balance out the tartness of the cheesecake, resulting in a surprisingly delicious combination.
Plus, if you’re looking for something special to serve for a nighttime gathering or even just a cozy night at home, this pairing can definitely do the trick!
When deciding which type of wine goes best with your cheesecake, it’s important to keep in mind both the flavors in your recipe and any toppings you may be adding.
A bold red such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir can pair well with a creamy, traditional cheesecake.
If you’re serving something with a graham cracker crust, a lighter white, such as Chardonnay, may be more appropriate. For sweeter recipes like strawberry or blueberry cheesecake, you could try a rosé for an enjoyable contrast of tart and sweet.
When it comes to actually enjoying the pairing itself, there are many ways to do so.
A glass of wine alongside a slice of cheesecake is always a great way to go- just make sure not to overwhelm your palate by having too much of one thing before the other!
You could also consider making some creative desserts that incorporate both components; think mini mason jar Cheesecake Parfaits or a White Wine Poached Pear Cheesecake.
At the end of the day, whether you’re hosting an event or just enjoying a special night with yourself, it’s always a good idea to experiment and see what works best for your own unique palette.
With so many delicious combinations to explore, you can have fun experimenting and discovering new flavors! So, go ahead- grab some wine and cheesecake and try out this classic pairing for yourself!
What is good to drink with cheesecake?
Cheesecake can be enjoyed with a variety of beverages, depending on the type of cheesecake and what flavors you prefer.
For lighter-flavored cheesecakes like those that have a lemon or vanilla base, try pairing it with something bubbly such as Prosecco or some fruity iced teas.
If you’re trying to pair your dessert with something stronger, a glass of full-bodied red wine is always a great companion for rich cheesecakes.
Other popular choices are port wines, hard ciders, coffee liquors and even champagne. You can also serve your cheesecake with milkshakes or other sweet drinks to make it an even sweeter treat!
Depending on the choice of beverage you choose, there’s sure to be something that pairs perfectly with your delicious cheesecake. Enjoy!
What wine goes with cream cheese?
The creaminess of cream cheese makes it compatible with many types of wines, but generally, white wine is the best option. Some good pairings include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling or Moscato.
These wines have a fruity and acidic edge that enhances the richness of the cheese while also bringing out its subtle flavors.
To make a bold statement, try a more full-bodied white like an oaked Chardonnay or Viognier. Sparkling wines also work well, as their effervescence helps to cut through and balance out the creamy texture of the cheese.
For reds, light to medium-bodied varietals like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir are the perfect accompaniment. The tartness of these wines refreshes the palate and helps to offset the richness of the cheese.
What wine goes with a creamy dessert?
A sweet dessert wine is a great choice to pair with creamy desserts. Look for a Moscato, Recioto or Vin Santo, all of which have the sweetness and body to stand up to rich flavors like cheesecake, tiramisu and creme brulee.
For something lighter, try a dessert, Riesling or Gewurztraminer. These wines will add just enough sweetness without overpowering the flavor of the dish.
Lastly, if you want to keep it simple, don’t forget about the classic port. A well-rounded port is perfect for any creamy dessert that needs an extra touch of richness.