Served as an appetizer, in place of dessert or as a meal in itself, cheese is a trusty dinner party standy - and there's nothing more delicious than cheeses paired with great wines. Although matching can be difficult, there are a few tricks to the perfect pairing.

The tricks to a Perfect Pairing

Match or Contrast
The texture of a cheese should either perfectly complement or completely contrast the texture of the wine. For instance, a veiny blue cheese with a slice of fig will match a sweet Noble Late Harvest, but a crisp glass of Cap Classique will be a wonderful contrast - and palate cleanser!

Acidity
You know that wine has acidity, but did you know that cheese has a natural acidity too? Pair an acidic cheese (for instance a soft fresh Chevin) with an acidic wine, such as a bright and crispy white.

If still in doubt ...
Choose a white wine. Red-wine tannin can dominate a creamy cheese and, when paired with a particularly mouth-coating cheese you'll be left tasting like you've taken a bite out of a fur coat. If you must drink red, a safe choice is a medium-bodied red, such a Pinot Noir.

If you're eating a cheese platter, start with the milder cheese and progress to the strongest, just as you would wine tasting.

Try these Cheese and Wine Pairings below, by Emma Odendaal.
Emma was previously deputy editor of Wine Magazine and now forms part of the Gateway team. She is editor of the Best Value Wine Guide and Green Wine Awards.


Chevin & Sauvignon Blanc
As a general Rule, white, fresh cheese should be paired with crisp white wine. The salty tang of Chevin (goat's cheese) is complemented by the grassy crispness of an unwooded Sauvignon Blanc.
Recommendation : Tokara Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2010


Camembert & Weisser Riesling
Rich, soft cheeses can be paired with bolder whites like a wooded Chardonnay, but Weisser Riesling's richness is a dream with an equally rich and smooth Camembert or Brie
Recommendation : FV Darling Riesling 2012


Brie & Weisser Riesling
Rich, soft cheeses can be paired with bolder whites like a wooded Chardonnay, but Weisser Riesling's richness is a dream with an equally rich and smooth Camembert or Brie
Recommendation : FV Darling Riesling 2012


Aged Cheddar & Shiraz
A big, bold red (think Shiraz or a Cabernet Sauvignon) is going to overwhelm a Camembert or Brie, but pairs deliciously well with a strong, aged cheddar or Pecorino.
Recommendation : Olive Brook Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon


Blue Cheese & A Noble Late Harvest
Sweet dessert wines partner well with almost any cheese, but the classic match of blue cheese and Noble Late Harvest in unbeatable, particularly with a slice of preserved fruit on the side.
Recommendation : Fairview Viognier Special Late Harvest

With acknowledgement to SPAR Savour Magazine.