Nothing says decadence like a class of sparkling wine, except that is, sparkling wine accompanied by cheese.  Sparkling wine possesses all the characteristics to blend perfectly on the palate with cheese, particularly those of the creamier, more luxurious persuasion.  Triple cream cheeses, for example, are rich and buttery with a whipped texture and fairly mild flavour.  The high fat content in these cheeses that coats your mouth in creamy deliciousness is best balanced by the refreshing bubbles in sparkling wine.  However there are other cheese and sparkling pairings that should not be overlooked.

Gruyere is a hearty mountain cheese with a dense texture and rich flavour. The gentle touch of sparkling wine elevates the cheese into something more elegant, highlighting its sweet, nutty qualities.

English Cheddar is another surprising hit with a glass of bubbles. If you select a mild, young cheddar; it will go well with some of the sharper, brighter sparkling wines.

No surprises here - Truffles and Champagne are a classic pairing, if only because both are seen as a expensive indulgences. These days the harmony is not limited to French Champagne and now that numerous truffle cheeses are widely available to choose from, this is a pairing that is no longer just for special occasions.

Chevre is the French word for "goat cheese". It has a mild but slightly tangy flavour to it, best matched with the stronger sparkling wines that have a bit of kick to them.

Gouda is a Dutch cheese, hard and smooth in texture with a nutty flavour to it, surprisingly it pairs wonderfully with a nutty sparkling.

This surely is plenty to get you started on a hearty cheeseboard to enjoy with your next bottle of bubbles.  If however you are ready to learn more, we have good news...

A highlight on the programme at the annual Effervescence Tasmania sparkling festival is the Bruny Island Cheese & Sparkling Masterclass.  

Winner of  2017 James Beard Foundation Book Award in the US for his book Milk Made, 1/3 of SBS Gourmet Farmer team and Telstra's Australian Business of the Year in 2013, Nick Haddow from Bruny Island Cheese Co's artisan cheeses have developed a cult following throughout Australia. Inspired by artisan cheeses from around the world, Nick wants to make cheeses that are connected to their environment... cheeses with a distinctly Tasmanian character.

Learn the art of matching wine with cheese and more specifically enjoy the discovery of sparkling wine with this great this producer.

DATE: Saturday 18th November 2017

TIME: 1.30 pm

WHERE: Josef Chromy Barrel Room

TICKETS: $55.00 pp. Limited Seats Available.

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As always, our friends at De Bortoli Yarra Valley are on hand to guide you when it comes to cheese and wine pairings.  The famous Yarra Valley Cheese Shop at the cellar door houses a range of local and imported cheeses selected not only for its quality – be it an Italian taleggio, a manchego from Spain, an English blue, a Tasmanian raclette or a marinated fetta from Victoria – but for how well it matches with their wines.

Cheeses are carefully matured in a purpose-built maturation room and only released for sale when they are at their very best. Every cheese has a story and history which is equally fascinating as wine and the specialised staff are well-equipped to take you on that journey of discovery.