Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Gouda tastes better with a wine plan. This Amsterdam cheese tasting puts Old Amsterdam front and center while you sample five Gouda varieties, each paired with a specific wine so the flavors make sense instead of just tasting good.

I love the clear 45-minute pace and I love that you get red, white, and port with the cheese so you can actually notice what wine does to salty, nutty, and aged flavors. One caution: the tasting room is on the 1st floor and is only reachable by stairs.

Key moments

• Five Gouda tastings focused on the cheese styles behind classic Dutch wheels
• Three wine pairings (red, white, and port) chosen to match each cheese
• Fig bread and water to reset your palate between bites
• Old Amsterdam + Westland Kaasspecialiteiten story tied to historic family production
• 20% shop discount downstairs so you can take favorites home
• Small-group feel with a setup that can host up to around 18 people

Dutch Cheese, Real Pairing, and the Old Amsterdam Story

An Amsterdam cheese tasting is a great break from canals and crowds. This one works because it is not just about eating cheese, it is about learning how Dutch makers think: milk into curds, aging into character, and serving choices that pull out new notes.

What you do in the room is simple. You sample five Gouda cheeses, and each one comes with a glass that is meant to complement it. There is also a quick lesson on Dutch cheese-making traditions and the story of Old Amsterdam, one of the brand-name cheeses that helped put Dutch cheese on the global map.

If you like food experiences that are part education and part fun, you will likely enjoy this. If you want a huge variety of totally different cheeses, you should know this is intentionally Gouda-focused, with Old Amsterdam as the star.

Finding the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store and the 1st-Floor Room

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. From there, the tasting itself happens in a room upstairs, on the 1st floor, and it is stairs only. It is quick to reach if you are comfortable with steps, but it is a deal-breaker if mobility is an issue.

The good news is that the format is designed for a short session: you are not shuffling across town or waiting around. One review even notes the room is air-conditioned, which matters in summer when Amsterdam can feel warm and busy.

Also worth knowing: there is a bathroom on-site. That sounds minor, but it makes a big difference when you are on a tight schedule between museums, canals, and dinner.

The 45-Minute Flow: Five Gouda Cheeses with Red, White, and Port

The experience is built around a tidy rhythm. You move through a tasting board of five different Gouda cheeses, and between each cheese you get palate support: fig bread and water.

The wines included are:

• 1 red wine
• 1 white wine
• 1 port wine

That mix is a smart move for a cheese lesson. Red often brings fruit and acidity that can cut through richer, aged flavors. White tends to highlight freshness and salt balance. Port, being sweeter and heavier, can change how you experience nutty and caramel-like notes in older cheeses.

Even better, the session is short enough that it does not drag. You are tasting, learning, and moving on before you get tired of cheese. Some people mention the host keeps things funny and lively, and that makes the time fly.

A practical note: the cheese portions are designed for sampling, not for stuffing yourself. If you have a favorite and want more, it can be worth asking—some guests report refills were possible during their session.

Old Amsterdam and Westland Kaasspecialiteiten: The Family Narrative That Grounds the Tasting

Old Amsterdam is not just another cheese on a board. It comes with a backstory tied to Westland Kaasspecialiteiten, a historic, family-run business that makes the cheese.

In the tasting room, you get the kind of story that actually helps when you are eating. You learn what makes the cheese-making approach distinctive, how aging shapes texture and flavor, and how brands and tradition connect to the finished wheel.

You also hear hints about how recipes are kept within the family. The big takeaway for you is that these cheeses are not made to taste random. They are built to develop character over time, and the aging period is where a lot of the magic lives.

If you have ever tasted one Gouda and thought, Why does it taste like caramel? and another and thought, Why is this one sharper and tangier?—this story helps explain why.

Wine Pairing That Teaches Your Tongue What to Notice

This is where the experience earns its keep. Wine pairing can feel like a marketing gimmick when it is done lazily. Here, the pairings are presented as a practical tool: you taste the cheese first, then taste how the wine changes it.

As you go through the board, pay attention to a few things:

• How the wine changes sweetness versus saltiness
• How acidity affects the mouthfeel of aged cheese
• How a sweeter wine like port can intensify deeper, nutty notes

The guide also uses the session to explain what it takes to become a cheese-tasting master. That means you are not just being told the facts—you are being guided to notice texture, aroma, and finish.

In past sessions, hosts like Aris, Rik, Roberta, Ron, and Maria show up in the lineup, and the common thread is energy. People describe the guide as funny while still keeping the explanations clear, which is a great combo for a short 45-minute class.

The Palate Reset: Fig Bread and Water Between Tastings

You get fig bread and water, and that small detail makes the tasting easier to learn from. Without a reset, your tongue starts to blur differences between cheeses, especially once you hit older styles.

Fig bread also brings its own sweetness. That can help you notice when a cheese is naturally sweet versus when it tastes sweet because the wine and bread are pushing the perception in that direction. If you are trying to remember what you liked and why, these resets make it easier to form a real opinion.

It is also part of why the tasting feels comfortable. You are not stuck with only cheese and wine; you get a simple food breather.

Shopping Downstairs: The 20% Discount Plan That Works

At the end, you are encouraged to try more cheeses in the shop downstairs. The key perk: you receive a 20% discount in the store, which turns the tasting into something actionable.

This is the part I like most. If you tasted a cheese and instantly loved it, this is your moment. You can match what you bought to what you learned in the room, instead of guessing later in your kitchen.

If you want a smart shopping strategy:

• Buy one cheese you loved most (your safe bet)
• Buy one cheese that surprised you (for variety at home)
• Ask staff for pairing ideas based on the wines you liked in the tasting

Some guests also mention being able to walk out with multiple cheeses, including Old Amsterdam goat cheese and options like truffle Gouda. If you enjoy buying a few personal favorites to bring back, this shop bonus makes the session feel even more worth it.

Price and Value: Is $23 a Good Deal?

At $23 per person for roughly a 45-minute experience, this can be a strong value if you like structured tastings. You get:

• An instructor and guided explanation
• 5 cheeses
• 3 wines (red, white, port)
• Fig bread and water
• A 20% discount on additional purchases

Food-and-drink tastings in big cities can easily cost more for less. Here, the pricing matters because you are paying for both the product and the explanation that helps you learn how to taste.

The only value snag is also the simplest one: this is focused on Gouda. If you are hoping for a broad lineup of Dutch cheeses that includes many non-Gouda styles, you might feel your money goes mostly toward Gouda lovers.

But if Gouda is what you want, or if you want a quick, high-impact intro to Dutch cheese culture, this is one of those spend-it-once experiences that makes your next cheese purchase easier.

Who This Amsterdam Cheese and Wine Tasting Suits Best

You will likely be happy booking this if you:

• Like food education that stays practical and fast
• Want wine pairing without wine snob stuff
• Prefer a group experience that still feels personal
• Plan to buy cheese to take home (the discount helps)

You might skip it if you:

• Need step-free access (the room is stairs only)
• Are under 18, since alcohol is included and the minimum age to drink is 18
• Want a wide variety beyond Gouda

Also, if you are traveling with someone who loves comedy and stories as much as food, this type of tasting tends to land well. People consistently highlight the host energy, the jokes, and the way questions are welcomed.

Should You Book This Amsterdam Cheese and Wine Tasting?

My take: book it if you want a short Amsterdam activity that is actually memorable the next day. The biggest reason is the pairing. You do not just eat cheese—you learn how wine and resets change what you taste.

The second reason is the practical outcome. You finish with enough knowledge to choose cheeses confidently, and the 20% shop discount gives you a clear incentive to bring something home.

If stairs are a problem for you, or if you are not interested in Gouda, pick a different Dutch food tour. But for most people who want a fun, tight session with excellent value, this one is easy to recommend.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store.

How long is the Amsterdam cheese tasting experience?

The duration is 45 minutes.

What cheeses are included?

You will taste five different Gouda cheeses, including Old Amsterdam.

What wines are included with the tasting?

You get one red wine, one white wine, and one port wine.

What is included besides cheese and wine?

Fig bread and water are included, along with an instructor-guided tasting session.

Is there a discount if I want to buy cheese?

Yes. You receive a 20% discount in the shop downstairs.

Is alcohol served, and is there a minimum age?

Yes, alcohol is part of the tasting. The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18.

Is the tasting room accessible for people with mobility impairments?

No. The cheese tasting room is on the 1st floor and is only accessible by stairs, so it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.