Discover why Dutch specialty cheese from Friesland Campina is the ultimate pairing for wine, whiskey, and upscale entertaining. Tips from brand expert Josh Rosen.
There is a moment at every good dinner party when the cheese board stops the conversation. Someone picks up a piece, takes a bite, goes quiet, and then says, “Wait. What is this?” If you have never experienced that moment with a Dutch specialty cheese, you are missing something genuinely special.
Josh Rosen, Brand Manager at Friesland Campina Consumer Dairy, sat down with Daily Ovation’s Joe Winger to talk about what makes these cheeses so remarkable, what happened at the Winter Fancy Faire Show in San Diego, and why foodies, wine collectors, and whiskey enthusiasts should be paying much closer attention to the specialty cheese section at their local retailer.
Why Dutch Specialty Cheese Belongs on Every Serious Wine and Whiskey Table
Rosen’s opening message was direct and delicious:
“Cheese goes great with anything…”
Josh Rosen
Friesland Campina Consumer Dairy
“Whether you’re into special dishes or cheese platters or charcuterie boards, or you need something to pair with a whiskey or wine, cheese is always the perfect companion.”
Friesland Campina is not a casual player in this space. The company has been producing cheese for over 150 years and holds the distinction of being the largest producer of Gouda in the world. That depth of expertise shows up in every bite.
Gouda has a reputation problem, honestly. Many consumers walk right past it in the store because they assume it is ordinary. Rosen wants to change that.
“Gouda is a very approachable cheese,” he explained. “You can have a young Gouda, which is very creamy, and then you can have an aged Gouda like our Rembrandt 12 month. And then you start to get more sophisticated taste and crystallization in the cheese that texture and really goes well with a nice wine.”
For wine lovers who obsess over terroir in a Burgundy or a Barolo, that crystallization and depth of flavor in an aged Gouda should feel immediately familiar and exciting.
The Story Behind Gayo Azul: A Cheese With Roots and Real Flavor
One of the most talked-about brands in the Friesland Campina portfolio carries a fascinating backstory.
“Gayo Azul is a brand that was developed with a Dutch heritage,”
Rosen explains
“When Dutch settlers came across the Atlantic, they first hit the Caribbean, and they brought cheese with them. The Dutch cheeses became very popular within those Hispanic Caribbean islands.”
That cultural fusion produced a lineup of cheeses that are genuinely fun to eat.
Cotija, Queso Blanco, Queso Fresco, Edam and Gouda all live under the Gaio Azul brand. “They’re all creamy. They melt well. They add a little salt,” said Rosen. “Like Cotija is a saltier cheese. So you put that on the taco, and it adds a little salt flavor and savory taste.”
And for those who love bold, layered flavors?
The brand recently launched a spicy cheese slice in the Southeast. Spicy has been trending for years, and Gayo Azul is smart enough to lean in without going overboard.
PDO Certification: What Wine Collectors Already Understand About Provenance
Here is where Dutch specialty cheese gets really interesting for the upscale food and drink crowd. The flagship aged Gouda under the Rembrandt label recently earned PDO certification, the same protected designation system that governs Champagne, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Prosciutto di Parma.
“The wine enthusiasts in this group might know what a PDO is,”
Rosen noted
“When you think of champagne, champagne only comes from the Champagne region in France. This is the same thing, but for Gouda cheese. PDO comes from a specific region in the Netherlands where there’s more salinity in the ocean, which flows onto the fields where the farms are and gives a little bit more of a characteristic taste for the Gouda.”
The result is a cheese with more caramel notes and a satisfying crystalline crunch. It is the kind of detail that a serious cheese lover, wine collector, or Michelin-starred home cook will immediately appreciate. For more on PDO certification and what it means for food quality, the European Commission’s official PDO database is a great starting point.
For those building a serious tasting board at home, consider pairing the Rembrandt aged Gouda with a Sauternes, a tawny Port, or even a peaty Scotch. The caramel and salt in the cheese harmonize beautifully with each.
Parano, Royal Hollandia, and the Versatility You Did Not Expect
Rosen described a cheese called Parano as “a Gouda meets Parmesan,” a Dutch-Italian hybrid that works beautifully in pasta dishes, on a cheese board, or simply grated over roasted vegetables.
For home cooks who want a single ingredient that bridges European traditions, Parano is a revelation.
The Royal Hollandia line serves as the approachable entry point into the world of Dutch cheese, with young Goudas, Edam, and a Swiss-style cheese called Maasdam.
“Go for a Royal Hollandia if you’ve never had Gouda before,”
Rosen suggested.
“Then if you like it, then go to a Dutch masterpiece and try an aged Gouda. You’d trade up in that sense and really get more sophisticated in the taste as you age the cheese.”
Think of it like building a wine cellar. You start with something wonderful and accessible, then you go deeper.
Sustainability and Craftsmanship: Values the Modern Consumer Actually Cares About
Friesland Campina is a farmer-owned cooperative with a sustainability initiative called Nourishing a Better Planet. The focus covers farmer livelihoods, environmental impact, and responsible sourcing. For consumers in Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, or New York who care deeply about where their food comes from, this matters.
“We are doing everything that we can to get into recyclable packaging, but with more focus for now on the environment and making a better place for our children and their children,” said Rosen.
Clean labels help too. Most of the cheeses list just milk, starter culture, and enzymes. That is it. No filler. No mystery.
Mini FAQ: Dutch Specialty Cheese and the Art of Pairing
Q: What wine pairs best with aged Dutch Gouda?
A: Aged Gouda, particularly a PDO variety like Rembrandt 12 Month, pairs beautifully with a full-bodied red like Amarone, a dessert wine like Sauternes, or a tawny Port. The caramel notes and crystalline texture in the cheese echo the richness and complexity in these wines.
Q: How is Dutch specialty cheese different from domestic Gouda?
A: PDO-certified Dutch Gouda is made in a specific region of the Netherlands where ocean salinity influences the pastures, creating a more distinctive, flavorful milk. The craftsmanship, aging process, and regional terroir combine to produce a noticeably richer, more complex cheese than most domestic versions.
Q: Where can I find Friesland Campina cheeses?
A: Look in the specialty cheese section of your local grocer or upscale food market. You can also follow Royal Hollandia, Dutch Masterpiece, and Gaio Azul on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for recipes and retailer information, or visit frieslandcampina.com for more.
Time to Upgrade Your Board
The specialty cheese aisle has been waiting for you. Whether you are building a charcuterie board for a dinner party in Silver Lake, a wine tasting in the West Village, or a weekend gathering in London’s Notting Hill, Dutch specialty cheese belongs at the center of the table.
Start with Royal Hollandia, graduate to Rembrandt, and let Gayo Azul bring the heat. Your guests will go quiet, then ask the best question: “Wait. What is this?”
Follow Friesland Campina and explore their full lineup at frieslandcampina.com.
