Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s cheese culture gets a practical introduction in this 55-minute tasting above the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. You sample five award-winning cheeses from 2024, then test how white wine, red wine, and Port change the flavor of each bite.

I like the clear pairing lesson and the chance to compare goat and cow cheeses at different ages. I also like the compact format: it fits neatly into a busy day near Dam Square, with no transport to arrange. The drawback is that this is held in a shop, so part of the experience naturally encourages you to buy cheese afterward.

Key points

• Five cheeses, several wine styles: Taste five Dutch cheeses with white, red, and Port wines.
• A short lesson with real food value: Learn how milk type, aging, and texture affect a pairing.
• Above the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store: The tasting room is at Damrak 62HS, close to central Amsterdam sights.
• English presentation: Hosts such as Ron, Rick, Maria, and Luca have led lively sessions.
• Small enough for conversation: The group limit is 26 people, though the room may feel more personal with a smaller booking.
• Good rainy-day option: The indoor setting makes this a useful one-hour break from Amsterdam’s weather.

Five Dutch cheeses and three very different wine partners

The heart of the experience is simple: five cheeses arrive at the table, followed by selected wines. You taste each combination and learn why one wine works better with a young, mild cheese while another can handle a firmer, older one.

The cheese selection focuses on Dutch styles, especially Gouda. A detailed tasting format includes two goat cheeses and three cow cheeses, with examples aged from about four to 18 months. That range gives you something useful to compare. Young cheese tends to be softer and gentler, while longer aging brings a firmer texture and stronger flavor.

The wine portion generally includes a white wine, a red wine, and a Port. One described selection included a French white, a red blend, and a Portuguese ruby Port. The point is not to turn you into a wine expert in an hour. It is to show how sweetness, acidity, fruit, and weight can either support cheese or overpower it.

I find this kind of guided tasting more useful than simply being handed a plate and three glasses. You get a reason to pay attention. Try a piece of cheese on its own, take a sip of wine, then repeat the pairing. The difference may be subtle, but that is the lesson: a good match can make both the cheese and the wine taste more complete.

What happens inside the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

You meet at Damrak 62HS, in the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. The activity begins and ends at this same address, so you do not need to follow a guide through several parts of the city or arrange a ride.

The tasting takes place in an upstairs room above the shop. It has presentation equipment and a setting designed for a lesson rather than a quick counter sample. Cutlery is included, along with the cheese and wine tasting.

The presentation covers cheese-making and the background of Dutch cheese production. You may also hear about the origins of Old Amsterdam and the way cheese develops as it matures. The focus stays on food, but the Dutch context gives the tasting more shape than a simple retail sample.

Hosts have included Ron, Rick, Maria, and Luca. The strongest sessions depend on the person leading the room. Ron is described as engaging and pleasant, while Rick is praised for explaining both wine and cheese in an easy way. Maria has been singled out for friendly personal attention, and Luca for explaining the selection clearly.

That range matters because this is a live presentation. You are not simply watching a recording or reading a card. You can ask questions about the cheeses, wine choices, aging, and what to buy later in the shop.

Why the goat and cow comparison matters

Many cheese tastings pile several similar samples on a board. This one gives you a better chance to notice the difference between milk types and aging periods.

The goat cheeses offer a useful contrast with the cow cheeses. You may notice changes in aroma, texture, and finish, though the exact experience will depend on the cheeses served that day. The longer-aged samples should give you a firmer bite and more concentrated flavor than the younger pieces.

A small booklet has been provided in some sessions, listing information about the cheeses. One useful improvement would be a clear handout with the exact cheese and wine names used that day. If you want to remember a favorite, ask the host to identify it before you leave and make a note on your phone.

This is also where the commercial side becomes clear. The shop sells the cheeses, and a 10 percent discount has been offered at the end of some tastings. That can be handy if you find a favorite to take home. It also means you should view the event partly as an introduction to the store’s products, not as a completely independent culinary class.

That is not a deal breaker for me. Shops are often the best places to learn about local food, and a tasting gives you a better basis for buying than choosing a vacuum-packed wedge at random. Just know what you are signing up for.

A brisk 55 minutes that fits a full Amsterdam day

At about 55 minutes, this is a short activity by design. You get enough time for five cheeses, several wine pairings, an explanation of production and aging, and questions, but not a long meal.

I would plan it between larger sights rather than treating it as the main food event of the day. The central location makes it easy to combine with other Amsterdam stops, and the fixed meeting point keeps the logistics simple.

The pace can feel just right if you want a focused introduction. You are unlikely to lose half a day, and you can still have lunch or dinner elsewhere. If you already know a great deal about Dutch cheese and wine, the lesson may feel basic. The value is in tasting several pairings in a short, organized format.

Some sessions include a small quiz at the end, with a modest prize for the winner. That adds a bit of fun without turning the tasting into a competition. With a group of friends, it can give everyone a reason to compare notes.

The maximum group size is 26 people. That is not a private tasting, but it is limited enough for a presentation and questions. If the group is small, you may receive more personal attention. One especially small session involved only a couple, which allowed for a more tailored conversation.

The wine pairing is the real lesson

The cheese is the obvious attraction, but the pairing is what gives the hour its structure. You are not just sampling Dutch food. You are learning how to make a better choice when ordering a cheese board or buying a bottle later.

White wine can bring freshness to a mild cheese. Red wine may work better with firmer, more mature cheese, though the match depends on the wine’s body and the cheese’s salt and intensity. Port adds sweetness and weight, making it an especially clear contrast with savory cheese.

You do not need any prior wine experience. The host walks you through the process and explains what to look for. Pay attention to the aftertaste, not just the first flavor. Some pairings seem ordinary at first, then become more balanced after a second bite.

The wines come from Europe rather than being limited to the Netherlands. That makes sense for a pairing lesson. Dutch cheese is the focus, but comparing it with French, Portuguese, and other European wine styles shows how broad the choices can be.

If you do not drink alcohol, this is probably not the right activity. Wine tasting is central, and the minimum drinking age is 18. There is no information provided about a nonalcoholic alternative.

Value at $32.65 per person

At $32.65 per person, the experience offers reasonable value if you want instruction as well as food. You receive five cheeses, several wine pours, cutlery, and a live explanation in a central Amsterdam location.

The price is less attractive if you only want a few free samples before shopping. You can find cheese shops with informal tastings, and the lesson is partly connected to the store’s sales. The difference here is the organized comparison: five cheeses, several wine styles, and a presenter explaining the choices.

The one-hour format also helps the value. You are paying for a compact activity that does not consume a large part of your day. For a couple or small group, it can be an easy addition to a sightseeing schedule. For solo visitors, a shared tasting can also provide a natural way to chat with other people around the table.

The strongest value comes if you use the information afterward. Ask what age of cheese you tasted, which wine worked best, and how to store or carry the cheese home. Then use the 10 percent shop discount if it is offered during your session.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

I would recommend it first to people who enjoy both food and a little instruction. You do not need a polished palate. In fact, beginners may get the most from learning how to notice texture, age, and milk type.

It also suits:

• Couples looking for a relaxed indoor activity
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting people around a shared table
• Friends who want a short food-focused stop
• Cheese lovers curious about Dutch Gouda
• Visitors with a rainy hour between major sights
• Anyone planning to buy Dutch cheese and wanting better guidance

Families should check the drinking-age requirement carefully. The minimum drinking age is 18, and the activity is built around wine. Service animals are allowed, and the venue is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but the available details do not describe specific wheelchair access or seating arrangements, so ask before booking if you have mobility needs.

The presentation is in English. That makes it a practical choice for English-speaking visitors who want clear explanations without translating tasting notes on their own.

A few practical tips before you go

Arrive at the Damrak 62HS meeting point with enough time to find the shop. The tasting ends where it begins, which makes it easy to continue exploring central Amsterdam afterward.

Bring your phone or a small notebook. If a particular cheese or wine appeals to you, write down its name. Since the selection can include several ages and types, it is easy to remember the flavor but forget which sample produced it.

Do not eat a heavy meal immediately beforehand. You want enough appetite to taste five cheeses, but the session is not designed to replace lunch or dinner.

Ask questions. The host is there to explain the products and offer culinary recommendations. You can ask about aging, goat versus cow milk, wine matches, or which cheese travels well.

If your schedule might change, free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam cheese tasting?

Book it if you want a short, friendly introduction to Dutch cheese with enough explanation to make the tasting meaningful. The five-cheese format, goat and cow comparison, and white, red, and Port pairings give you more to think about than a basic shop sample.

Skip it if you want a full meal, a private class, or a tour focused on farms and countryside production. This takes place in a central cheese shop and includes a clear retail element.

For $32.65, I see it as a solid one-hour choice for curious eaters, especially on a rainy day or between Amsterdam sights. Go in expecting a guided tasting and a chance to shop afterward, not a grand culinary performance. If that sounds right, it is an easy way to add some Dutch flavor to your schedule.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

The tasting takes place at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 55 minutes.

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste five different cheeses. The selection focuses on award-winning cheeses from 2024 and may include both goat and cow cheeses at different ages.

Which wines are included?

The tasting includes selected wines paired with the cheeses. The described format includes white wine, red wine, and Port.

Is the tasting held in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.