What pairing philosophy supports serving a 10 Year Old Tawny Port with salty cheeses like Parmesan?
Answer
Creating a contrast between the wine's sweetness and the cheese's saltiness
While Port is classically paired with desserts, one versatile pairing philosophy involves utilizing the contrast between sweetness and saltiness. A slightly chilled 10 Year Old Tawny, which possesses complexity and body along with noticeable residual sugar, stands up well to savory, salty cheeses such as Parmesan or mature cheddar. This contrast is often considered highly engaging for the palate because the salty element cuts through the richness and enhances the perception of the wine’s underlying sweetness and nutty maturity. This offers a deliberate palate cleanser between bites, diverging from the standard sweet-on-sweet dessert pairings.
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