Fontina Cheese

Pairings and Complementary Flavors 

Cocktails: Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Gin and Tonic, Manhattan
~ A Whiskey Old Fashioned, with sugar and bitters, pairs well with the rich nutty flavor of the fontina.
~ A traditional Whiskey Sour complements fontina cheese’s smooth, nutty characteristics.
~ A classic Gin and Tonic with botanical flavors and a refreshing profile pleasantly contrasts the cheese’s creaminess.
~ The robust flavors of rye or bourbon mixed with sweet vermouth in a classic Manhattan stand up well to creamy, flavorful fontina cheese.

Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo
~ Herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc provides a refreshing contrast.
~ Riesling, with its high acidity and fruity notes, offers a beautiful pairing with the nutty and creamy characteristics of the fontina.
~ A medium-bodied, lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the creaminess of the fontina. The wine’s hints of butter and cream echo the cheese’s characteristics.
~ A light to medium body Pinot Noir complements the cheese’s flavors with its fruity and slightly earthy profile.
~ Nebbiolo, an Italian red wine, balances the richness of the cheese to create a harmonious pairing.

Beer: Pilsner, Pale ale, Belgian Tripel, Brown Ale, Wheat Beer
~ A clean, crisp Pilsner provides a refreshing contrast, while the balanced maltiness and hop bitterness of Pale Ale can complement the fontina’s’ nutty and creamy profile.
~ Belgian Tripel’s’ fruity and spicy complexity pairs nicely with fontina’s’ rich, creamy, and slightly sweet nature.
~ Brown Ale’s’ malty sweetness and nutty undertones meld well with the cheese’s nuttiness and creaminess, while wheat beer, often light and slightly citrusy, provides a nice contrast.

Accompaniments: Bread, crackers, fruit, nuts, honey, jam, olives, pickled vegetables
~ Rustic baguettes, whole grain bread, and flavored crackers make excellent companions by allowing the cheese’s mild, creamy flavor to shine.
~ Dried fruit pairs wonderfully. Fresh fruit like apples, pears, grapes, figs, or apricots bring the pairing a refreshing and crunchy or chewy texture.
~ Almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts can highlight the nuttiness in the fontina and add a pleasing crunch.
~ The sweetness of honey or fruit jams provides a fruity contrast to the savory and creamy flavor.
~ The tangy, vinegary bite of olives or pickled vegetables contrasts the cheese’s creaminess.

Suggested uses: 

To make a terrific addition to cheese boards, fondue, or cheese dip

To elevate grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, chowders, stuffed chicken or pork, and vegetable gratin

To use in Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, or risotto