Pinot Noir/Cheese Pairing

[wondersofwine]

Our Easter dinner will include ham, au gratin potatoes and a Siduri Pisoni Pinot Noir (recent comments about Siduri prompted me to go ahead and open one and see if I like it). I gave up cheese for Lent and really look forward to having cheese again starting Easter Sunday. Can you recommend a cheese that pairs well with a West Coast pinot noir?

[Bucko]

Tough question because the styles vary from cherry Kool-aide to Syrah wannabes.

[Innkeeper]

Agree that it is hard to match cheese with a specific style of wine. For pinot, in general, I like a medium cheese (between hard and soft). A nice Port Du Salut, Fontina, or Edam should work. If it has more muscle than your everyday pinot, go for a German Munster.

[jock]

Hi WOW

Don't know which Siduri you have but keep in mind that they tend to be big and extracted rather than delicate.

You could go with something really stinky like Epoisses (that is if you can find a good one in the US, which I doubt). Your safest bets would be a pungent semi-soft like a good Muenster or the best all-around cheese for a red wine --- real English Farmhouse Cheddar.

The Siduris are among the best CA Pinot Noirs these days. You should enjoy it very much.

[wondersofwine]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll work my way through several of the recommendations. I don't have any Epoisses on hand but can get some next time I'm in Raleigh--they've started carrying it at the wine shop. I do have a Cheshire cheese available and will look for Port du Salut or Edam at the grocery store tonight. I'm not a big fan of Muenster although I like some cheeses in a similar vein.

[Randy Caparoso]

You know what I like with good, spicy Pinot Noir? Those herb crusted soft ripened cheeses (especially double and triple cremes) you often see in grocery stores. The aromatic green herbs really meld with the flavor of Pinot. One particular standout for me has been a garlic-herb Boursin -- yummy with Pinot. I'm getting hungry... and thirst.

[wondersofwine]

I love Boursin. Haven't tried it with Pinot Noir but I will!