Perfect wines to partner cheese

Cheese is as natural as wine. It was accidentally discovered rather than invented, like wine. Through evolution, experimentation and refinement over the last few millennia, we now enjoy a huge variety of cheeses made from various milks, in a myriad of styles, and from many countries.

And as we all know wine and cheese go together so well, from an elegant cheese board to a rich cheese souffle.

I just love these classic matches - goat's cheese and sauvignon blanc, for example. I was blown away with this combination when I first tried it some years ago. The crumbly cheese was gently spread over crusty bread, and warmed (but not cooked) under a grill, then served with a cool glass of sauvignon blanc. The refreshing and vibrant sauvignon contrasted with the elegant flavour and chalky texture of the cheese brilliantly. It's a most satisfying way to start a meal.

Pinot Gris, riesling (not the bone-dry one) and chardonnay (not too oaky) all work effortlessly with mild and soft cheeses, as well as cooked dishes such as tarts, souffles, cheese-filled pastas and pastries. The fruitiness and acidity in wine cleanses the palate beautifully, leaving you wanting more.

Red wine works well with many cheeses too, especially cheddar and other firm cheeses. A decent chunk of vintage cheddar on lightly toasted walnut bread with a slither of quince (or other fruit) jelly has enough flavour intensity and richness to partner red wine's fruit weight and tannins.

Merlot and syrah/shiraz both work well due to their supple tannins. Pinot noir is even better with just the right amount of subliminal sweetness and silky texture, harmonising all the flavours beautifully and smoothly. It's also a great way to continue drinking red wine from the main course to the cheese course, as some people shy away from dessert and sweet wine.

However, the best and the most hedonistic wine to match cheese is sweet wine. One memorable dish: A powerful and delicious gorgonzola was served with honeycomb which was infused with white truffle (a couple of drops of white truffle oil will also do the trick). The fragrance was haunting and gratifying. The taste was astonishing with an explosive mouthful from the cheese and honey, and the luscious sweetness of the wine compounding the pleasure. Yes, this is a high calorie food and wine match, but it is a heavenly partnership that is one of the most sensually pleasing experiences.

Kate Radburnd Bud Burst Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $19.00

This is classically flavoured, displaying lime zest, feijoa and herbaceous characters on the nose. The palate is engaging and juicy with excellent fruit intensity and a refreshing finish. Love it - it's full of gorgeous flavours.

Durvillea Pinot Grigio 2010 $15.50
This is even better than last year's, showing greater fruit intensity. It's immediately attractive on the nose with gorgeously ripe peach, pear and floral characters. The palate is juicy and lively with a touch of sweetness and bright acidity. The tasty flavours linger on and on.

All That Jazz Pinot Noir 2010 $29.00

This is a most appealing Pinot by one of the country's top producers, TerraVin. This is an easier style yet shows generosity and richness with dark cherry, spice, floral and subtle nutty characters. It's medium-full and rounded on the palate with excellent weight and texture leading to a very satisfying finish.

Buller Moscato 2010 $18.00

No wonder moscato is a popular drop for many consumers. This is one of the most appealing moscatos, displaying tropical fruit, floral and grapey characters on the nose. The palate is lush and sweet with excellent fruit intensity and a pleasant crisp finish.

The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (375ml) $26.00
It's full of ripe tropical, dried apricot and honey aromas followed by a beautifully sweet palate with good freshness and a juicy finish. This is not overly sweet, and will be a fabulous wine to partner all cheeses.

De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2007 (375ml) $39.00

This unctuous beauty is saturated with marmalade, honey and dried fruit characters. The palate is super-rich and lusciously sweet with nicely balanced acidity. A real treat that is impossible to resist.

Sam Kim is a senior wine judge and author of Wine Orbit magazine (wineorbit.co.nz). You can follow him via Twitter @wineorbit.