So you love wine? And you love cheese? Together they make the Batman and Robin of food duos, but sometimes the number of options can be overwhelming. Combining the right varieties of cheese and wine is key to making your next wining and dining experience a classy affair. Here are a few suggestions of which wine pairs with which cheese to get you started.

Blue Cheese

From Gorgonzola to Roquefort, this sharp, strong, and very flavourful variety of cheese is definitely an acquired taste. For those who enjoy its unique flavour, consider pairing it with a dessert wine. The sweetness of the dessert wine complements the saltiness of the cheese nicely. While dessert wines tend to run slightly higher in price, there are quite a few options available for less than $30.

Gouda

Originating in the Dutch city Gouda, this cheese has a unique creamy almond flavour that changes dramatically depending on how long it has been aged. For a young Gouda, a light red wine such as a Pinot Noir is the best pairing. For an aged and more flavourful Gouda, a fuller red wine such as a Merlot is better suited.

Goat Cheese

Made from goat’s milk, this cheese has a distinctive tart taste, and is typically paired with Sauvignon Blanc—a crisp, dry, white wine that originated in Bordeaux, France. The sprite acidity of the wine matches the tangy acidity of the cheese.

Cheddar

The most popular cheese in the world, cheddar is a sharp tasting, natural cheese. Similar to Gouda, cheddar is aged for different lengths of time to vary the intensity of its flavour. A full-bodied red wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon is fitting for this cheese.

Camembert

A soft, creamy cheese, Camembert is a staple in French culture. This cheese has a sweet, rich, buttery flavour and is best paired with light wines, such as Champagne or a sparkling white wine.

Brie

Brie, a soft cheese with a white mould rind, pairs well with almost any wine because it has a much subtler flavour than many other cheese options. One classic wine to pair with Brie is a Chardonnay—a medium to light-bodied wine with notable acidity.