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Michigan Apple Cheese & Wine Pairing Guide

There is a large variety of sweet and crunchy Michigan Apples to choose from. When paired with cheeses, wines, and other simple items, apples provide a healthy, affordable, and local solution to seasonal celebrations. Just in time for your holiday celebrations, we have put together a Michigan Apple cheese and wine pairing guide. Pairing apples and cheese is a win-win no matter what options you choose, but we thought a bit of guidance could help you discover the most delicious combinations.

Every Michigan Apple variety has slightly different elements of sweet, crisp, and tart and we can help you make your tasty pairings pop with flavor.

Apple, Cheese and Wine Pairing

Use our guide to create a simple Michigan Apple and Cheese grazing board for your guests.

Pro-tip: Add these easy extras- Tangy pickles, sweet jams, savory dips, fresh veggies, fruit, breads, crackers, and nuts to complete your holiday grazing board.

GALA

Talk about a great apple: Crisp snappy bite over a mellow sweetness. Michigan’s 3rd most popular apple for fresh eating or cooking. Looks great, smells sweet, and eats like a dream!

Flavor: Mellow Sweetness

Cheese Pairings:

• Mild Cheddar
• Chèvre (Goat Cheese)
• Gruyere

Wine Pairings:

• Chardonnay
• Dry Riesling
• Gewüztraminer

 

FUJI

Newer to Michigan’s apple line-up, Fuji is Japan’s favorite apple for good reason! Fantastic sweet and tart flavor, with a low acid content. A very hardy apple, Fuji stays crisp for weeks!

Flavor: Sweet and Tart Flavor

Cheese Pairings:

• Gorgonzola
• Fontina
• Havarti

Wine Pairings:

• White Burgundy
• Pinot Blanc
• Viognier

 

HONEYCRISP or EVERCRISP®

Honeycrisp is America’s favorite apple! And mighty crisp. If you agree, try an EverCrisp® apple. A newer apple variety, EverCrisp® is sweet, juicy and firm. It stores well and is long-lasting. Packs a powerful crunch.

Flavor: Sweet, Juicy, and Crisp

Cheese Pairings:

• Apple Smoked Cheddar
• Manchego
• Blue Stilton Cheese
• Gouda

Wine Pairings:

• Riesling
• Moscato
• Champagne
• Pinot Grigio

 

JONATHAN

Both pretty and popular! Used for fresh eating and cooking. The juicy flavor has a spicy tang that blends well with other apples. Michigan’s cooler climate produces superb Jonathans.

Flavor: Spicy Tang

Cheese Pairings:

• Cheddar
• Gruyere
• Provolone

Wine Pairings:

• Syrah
• Pinot Noir

 

MCINTOSH

Classic large, round apple for eating out of hand! Ultra-juicy white flesh, lightly tart flavor, and excellent fresh apple aroma.

Flavor: Lightly Tart Flavor

Cheese Pairings:

• Sharp Cheddar
• Monterey Jack
• Gouda

Wine Pairings:

• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon

 

JONAGOLD

Make sure you try this one! Superbly crisp and juicy with shades of tart and sweet in each apple. Usually large and aromatic. Highly ranked by apple connoisseurs.

Flavor: Shardes of Tart and Sweet

Cheese Pairings:

• Feta
• Brie
• Camembert

Wine Pairings:

• Unoaked Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Rosé

 

Tasty Additions  – Find  More  Holiday Appetizers

Looking for side dishes and appetizers to bring to your holiday gatherings? Get inspired with our Michigan Apple recipes, like these Creamy Blue Cheese and Honey Apple Topped Crostini.

 

Find more Michigan Apple recipe inspiration and meal ideas.