Jarlsberg Cheese Pairing Ideas for Something Tasty
The perfect blend of the smooth and creamy textured gouda and the firm rubbery consistency of swiss comes with Jarlsberg cheese.
This Norwegian native is distinguished by its pale yellow colors and medium-sized holes in its body. Its versatility allows it to be a good table cheese as well as a great addition to your favorite dishes. It’s no wonder why this cheese is an excellent pairing for wine lovers.
Finding the perfect wine to accentuate the mild flavors of Jarlsberg can be intimidating but not impossible. Luckily for you, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the perfect wine to pair with your Jarlsberg below.
Which Wines Pair Well With Jarlsberg Cheese?
Due to its buttery sweet nature, Jarlsberg cheese pairs well with medium-bodied white wines. You want a wine that won’t overpower the subtle flavors of the Jarlsberg, ensuring your taste buds a refreshing experience.
Some examples of white wines that pair well with Jarlsberg are:
- Rieslings
- Chardonnay
- Gewurztraminer
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Gris
Should You Pair Jarlsberg Cheese With Lighter or Heavier Wine Varieties?
Suppose you want the perfect combination of wine and cheese; you want to pair your Jarlsberg with a lighter wine variety. Light-bodied wines are typically found among white wines.
Heavier wines tend to dominate the taste profile of mild cheese, such as Jarlsberg. If you do have a preference for red wines, it may be better to pair them with a lighter red wine such as Lambrusco or pinot noir.
What Wine is Traditionally Paired with Jarlsberg Cheese?
Traditionally, Jarlsberg cheese is paired with white wines such as Sauvignon Blancs.
Its light, sweeter taste compliments this drier wine well, but if you’re someone who has a low tolerance for dry wines, don’t be afraid to stray away from tradition and pick a wine for your Jarlsberg that fits your needs.
Are There Any Wine Varieties You Should Avoid With Jarlsberg Cheese?
Typically, you should avoid heavier wines that are high in tannins. This is because cheese pairings are often matched based on the intensity of the wine, and if you’re choosing a heavy red wine, it will dominate the profiles of your Jarlsberg cheese.
It would probably be best to avoid heavy red wines such as cabernet sauvignon or Bordeaux blends to prevent this.
Is Jarlsberg Cheese Better Paired With Oaked or Unoaked Wine Varieties?
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of oaked and unoaked wine, it’s actually pretty simple, oaked wine has been aged in oak barrels, and unoaked has not. A wine will generally state if it is oaked or unoaked on the bottle.
Storing wine in oak barrels alters the wine’s taste, smell, and color. Another difference lies within the body of the wine. Unoaked wine typically produces lighter-bodied wines, while an oaked wine profile is layered and heavier.
Knowing this, Jarlsberg would probably pair best with an unoaked wine variety.
Final Thoughts on Jarlsberg Cheese Pairing
Pairing cheese with the perfect wine is hard. Although it typically follows wine etiquette, it’s an art that is a unique experience for each wine lover.
Everyone’s preference is different, and while this may be a guide to help you pick your perfect pairing, you should ultimately follow what your heart-or rather than your taste buds- desires.
