The fascinating history of cheese and wine

The pairing of cheese and wine at parties seems like a modern trend, but historians believe it may date back thousands of years. Historical records suggest this combination has been enjoyed for generations. As a culinary innovation, some scientists suggest it has even changed human physiology.

Back in the 1970s, cheese and wine parties were something everyone enjoyed regularly. They were a part of the great British way of life and most people of a certain age will have fond memories. The best parties comprised several different kinds of cheese arranged on a cheese board, a few bottles of good wine, some fresh bread and savoury biscuits. These simple cheese and wine pairings made entertaining feel easy, relaxed and delicious.

A group of friends would gather to eat, drink and be merry. No one had to do any cooking and the cleaning up afterwards was minimal. Now, in the 21st century, such gatherings are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

Today, it's even easier to host a party, thanks to the internet and online shopping. You can display your cheeses on a beautiful cheese board and order luxury cheese hampers at the click of a button. Even better, you can order cheese and wine gifts, so someone else does all the hard work for you in pairing the best combinations!

History of cheese and wine

To understand why cheese and wine make such a great meal, go back about 8,000 years. At that time, herders first domesticated livestock. Although no one knows exactly where cheese began, people in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia ate it long ago.

Historians believe cheese was discovered by accident. Nomadic herders kept milk in animal stomachs, which naturally contained rennet—the enzyme that turns milk into cheese. This process created the earliest form of cheese. After straining, salt was added to preserve it, allowing people to enjoy it for longer periods.

Archaeologists have unearthed pottery strainers from around 7,000 years ago. These strainers were likely used for making cheese.

In September 2018, scientists announced they had found the oldest known piece of cheese. It dates back 3,200 years and was excavated from the tomb of Ptahmes in Egypt. Using modern technology, researchers discovered that the cheese combined cow’s milk with milk from sheep or goats.

They wrapped the cheese in cloth before burying it in the tomb. Wealthy Egyptians traditionally were buried with a feast, and they considered cheese fit for a king.

In Ancient Rome, dating back to 753 BC, cheese-making had become a profession. The Roman legions would eat plenty of hard cheese, as it was full of protein and calcium. The word cheese comes from the Latin word "caseus", meaning to ferment. It was also enjoyed by the general population.

How cheese changed our physiology

Scientists believe adult humans were largely lactose intolerant in years gone by. Cheese-making introduced dairy products to our diet. Early herders discovered that cheese provided a lot of nutrition.

Genetic studies show that lactose-tolerance first appeared in herders in the Middle East. It later spread to other communities in Central Asia. Around 7,000 years ago, these herders mixed with local hunters and herders in Europe. This helped spread the lactose-tolerance gene that most people carry today.

When cheese-making spread to the colder northern European climate, it required less salt for preservation. This led to milder, creamier varieties of cheese and the birth of ripened and blue cheeses. Cheeses we enjoy today, like cheddar, camembert, gouda, and parmesan, first appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages.

When was cheese first paired with wine?

No one knows exactly when people first ate wine and cheese together. Evidence suggests it may have happened thousands of years ago. Scientists have found traces of wine and beer in old pottery containers dating from 10,000 years ago.

This suggests our early ancestors made alcoholic drinks from fallen fruit that had naturally fermented in the forests. Bread dates back even further, as a July 2017 research paper reported that scientists discovered bread crumbs at a site from 14,000 years ago.

Ancient tribes could digest alcohol and starch. This makes it likely that our early ancestors ate wine, cheese, and bread together thousands of years ago.

Royal banquets

Fast-forward to the Tudor and Stuart royal banquets, and historic manuscripts show that wine and cheese were always on the menu.

Banquets in the 17th century often ended with cheese topped with thick cream and sprinkled with sugar. This is described in the 1615 recipe book The English Huswife by Gervase Markham. England had long embraced a dairy culture and cheese was a staple food by this time.

Some later Stuart banquets included freshly-made tarts filled with cheese, known as cheesecakes. In wealthy English households, the after-dinner course included a sweet, spiced red wine called hippocras. People believed it helped with digestion.

By the late 17th century, new wines had replaced hippocras. They had a lighter fruity or flowery bouquet and were often preferred to the sweet and heavy taste of their predecessor.

Cheese and wine weren't reserved for the rich. In the early 19th century, wine was considered a worthy companion to bread and cheese in taverns across Europe.

The ultimate cheese and wine party

Today, many people know how to host a party with cheese and select wines. They can even order luxury cheese hampers online. Some experts, however, have taken pairings to a whole new level.

Gary Bader is a science professor in Toronto, Canada. He has spent his career creating computer programs to study genes and molecules. He has also used his skills to design about 1,000 ideal pairings of cheeses and wines.

He created these pairings using a tool that is normally used to visualize complex gene networks. He has become popular at parties for his more light-hearted research. His tool explores connections between cheeses and wines from around the world.

Buying a luxury cheese and wine hamper from The Chuckling Cheese Co takes the guesswork out of pairings. We use our years of expertise to select the best combinations for you. From creamy cheeses to stronger varieties, finding the perfect cheese to enjoy with wine is all part of the experience.

Our Cheese & Wine Hamper is perfect for anyone who wants to recreate a great pairing at home. The hamper includes fine cheeses that you can display on a cheese board and carefully selected wines. It also features rich red wines, all ready to enjoy at your next gathering.