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Kroger's Expert Guide Makes Wine & Cheese Pairing a Breeze for the Holidays
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Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 8:48 GMT by WDRB- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Kroger’s Easy Wine & Cheese Pairings for a Stress‑Free Holiday
Summarized from WDRB’s “Kroger highlights easy wine and cheese pairings for the holiday”
The holiday season is all about gathering, feasting, and creating lasting memories. Yet, one of the most common sources of holiday stress is the question: “What wine should I serve with the cheese board?” Kroger’s latest feature on WDRB’s WDRB in the Morning puts that worry to rest by offering a carefully curated list of easy‑to‑assemble wine and cheese pairings that promise to delight even the most skeptical palate. Below is a thorough summary of Kroger’s suggestions, the underlying wine‑cheese science, and additional resources they provide to help shoppers turn their holiday table into a show‑stopper.
1. The Strategy Behind Kroger’s Pairing Guide
Kroger’s “Wine & Spirits” team—led by their in‑store wine specialist, Danielle Rios—spent weeks tasting dozens of wines and cheeses to pinpoint combinations that work across a spectrum of budgets and flavor profiles. The goal? To keep the process simple:
- Pair on a flavor map – Matching the wine’s acidity, sweetness, and body with the cheese’s saltiness, texture, and flavor intensity.
- Highlight “cheat” pairings – Foods that may not be typical pairings but work well because of holiday ingredients (e.g., spiced cheeses with sweet wines).
- Offer a tiered price structure – From $10 “value” bottles to $30 “premium” selections, ensuring every wallet can participate.
Kroger also stressed that the most important factor is balance: a wine that can “treat” the cheese, not overpower it, and vice versa.
2. Kroger’s Signature Pairings
Below are the pairings highlighted in the article, complete with recommended serving suggestions and price cues. The table is adapted from the full pairing guide available on Kroger’s website (link: https://www.kroger.com/wine-cheese-pairings).
| Cheese | Wine | Notes & Serving Tips | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brie | Chardonnay (crisp, buttery) | The creamy texture of Brie pairs nicely with a lightly oaked Chardonnay. Serve at room temperature and pair with fruit preserves. | $12–$20 |
| Aged Cheddar | Cabernet Sauvignon | The bold tannins of a medium‑body Cabernet balance the sharpness of cheddar. Ideal for a hearty holiday sandwich. | $18–$25 |
| Goat Cheese | Riesling (dry or off‑sweet) | The acidity in Riesling cleanses the palate after the tang of goat cheese. Pair with rosemary crackers. | $10–$15 |
| Gouda | Pinot Noir | The fruity, silky texture of Gouda complements a light, earth‑tasting Pinot. Great with cranberry compote. | $14–$22 |
| Blue Cheese | Moscato (off‑sweet) | The sweetness of Moscato counterbalances the saltiness of blue cheese. Serve chilled for a refreshing bite. | $12–$18 |
| Gruyère | Merlot | The nutty notes of Gruyère echo the berry flavors in Merlot. Excellent for a French‑style cheese plate. | $15–$23 |
| Smoked Mozzarella | Sauvignon Blanc | The herbal bite of Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the smokiness. Pair with cucumber slices for extra freshness. | $11–$17 |
Kroger also offers a “quick‑look” infographic on the site that visually matches each cheese’s flavor profile with its ideal wine companion, making the selection process even more intuitive.
3. Budget‑Friendly Options
For guests who prefer a more affordable approach, Kroger’s guide includes a “Value” tier featuring wines that still deliver quality. One such pair is:
- Swiss cheese with a Beaujolais – $8–$12. The light body and bright acidity keep the pairing fresh and approachable.
The article noted that “you don’t need to break the bank” for a memorable spread, especially when the emphasis is on flavor harmony rather than prestige.
4. Practical Tips for Storing, Serving, and Gifting
The feature also dove into “practical hacks” to keep the wine and cheese experience seamless:
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Storage | Keep wines in a cool, dark place; cheeses should be wrapped loosely in parchment and stored in the fridge. |
| Serving | Let wines breathe for 15–20 minutes (especially reds) and allow cheeses to reach room temperature about 30 minutes before serving. |
| Cheese Tools | A clean cheese knife and a corkscrew or bottle opener are must‑haves for a smooth service. |
| Gift Ideas | Kroger’s “Wine & Cheese Gift Basket” (link: https://www.kroger.com/gift-baskets/wine-cheese) makes a perfect holiday present. The basket includes a curated bottle, assorted cheeses, crackers, and a set of wine glasses. |
Kroger’s wine specialist also emphasized the importance of pairing the cheese board with the holiday menu. For example, a Riesling can complement a sweet cranberry sauce, while a Cabernet pairs well with roasted turkey or ham.
5. Additional Resources on Kroger’s Site
To aid shoppers in making informed choices, Kroger’s website hosts several interactive tools:
- Kroger Wine Guide – An online selection engine that asks simple questions (e.g., “Do you like sweet or dry wines?”) and then recommends bottles.
- Cheese Shop Locator – Helps shoppers find local Kroger cheese departments and their seasonal stock.
- Online Order & Pick‑Up – The “Wine & Spirits” section allows customers to order a bottle online and pick it up in the store.
- Cheese & Wine Pairing PDF – A downloadable, printable version of the pairing chart for quick reference.
These tools, combined with the article’s insights, empower consumers to confidently create a wine‑cheese pairing that satisfies both palate and budget.
6. Final Thoughts
Kroger’s article on WDRB is more than a simple list of wine and cheese combinations; it’s a practical playbook for anyone looking to elevate their holiday table without the usual guesswork. By focusing on flavor balance, price accessibility, and user‑friendly resources, Kroger demonstrates how thoughtful curation can transform a simple snack into an unforgettable culinary experience.
So, as the holiday season approaches, consider visiting your nearest Kroger to explore their “Wine & Cheese” department, use the online pairing guide, or even pre‑order a curated gift basket. The result? A stress‑free, delicious, and memorable holiday gathering—cheers to that!
Read the Full WDRB Article at:
[ https://www.wdrb.com/wdrb-in-the-morning/kroger-highlights-easy-wine-and-cheese-pairings-for-the-holiday/article_58dcfc50-e66d-4440-8318-b882a81c82fb.html ]
