The Best Accompaniments To Pair With Pecorino Cheese

If you're a fan of Parmigiano Reggiano, then it's time to meet Pecorino Romano. The two kinds of cheese are remarkably similar in production methods but have different flavors which require somewhat different pairing styles. If you've hit a charcuterie board rut then adding Pecorino Romano to the board is the perfect way to bring in something new without doing anything drastic. The key is to make sure that the food and wine you're pairing it with can stand up to this potent cheese.

Pecorino Romano is an aged, washed rind cheese that comes from the Lazio region around Rome. The largest difference between this cheese and Parmigiano is that it is made with 100% sheep's milk. It spends up to 100 days in a saltwater brine and is then typically dry-aged for eight-12 months.

This is a similar process to Parmigiano Reggiano. The two are both remarkable for their fine, dry texture, but Parmigiano is going to have more nutty and fruity flavors while Pecorino is typically going to have more of a salty bite to it. It lends a flavorful punch to the four traditional Roman types of pasta and has become a favorite of celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.

If you're going to try and present this strongly flavored cheese on its own you're going to need strong foods and wines to pair it with.

The best foods to pair with Pecorino Romano cheese are either those that contrast its salty notes or can stand up to it and match it with their own. A great example of the latter would be foods like pickled giardiniera and green olives. An Italian giardiniera is a form of pickled vegetable that will bring a briny zing that pairs well with this cheese. The Chicago style of this side dish is preserved in olive oil after it's been pickled so it will also bring some fatty notes along with it. If you're able to get your hands on an older Pecorino Romano that's been aged a little longer, then you might notice more nutty flavors. These pair exceptionally well with foods like walnuts or hazelnuts that will bring out even more of these notes.

Another way to compliment Pecorino Romano cheese is to use something sweet to work against its saltiness. Jams, honey, and drizzles of balsamic vinegar all work extraordinarily well in this regard. It can also be paired with simple fruits like apples, melons, or figs to achieve a similar combination of flavors.

When deciding which wine should accompany your Pecorino Romano you should follow the same rules as food. Whether it's dry, metallic, or sweet, make sure that your wine choice is robust enough to stand up against this complex cheese.

This will rule out most of the delicate and lightly flavored white wines. The salty flavors will cut right through these bottles, and leave you wanting more. You'll be far better off reaching for a red wine with a full body, or heavy tannins instead. This would include wines like a fruity cabernet sauvignon, a potent Chianti, or a Barolo.

If you're a white wine-only drinker, then you can still indulge with pecorino romano but stick to more full-bodied wines like sauvignon blanc, Gewurztraminer, and rieslings.

Pecorino Romano can have an overwhelming flavor for first-timers, but if it's paired up correctly it will become a quick favorite.