Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

Cheese and wine in 45 minutes sounds smart. Step into Old Amsterdam Cheese Store in Amsterdam and you will taste five Gouda cheeses with sommelier-selected red, white, and port wines, plus fig bread and water between pours.

I especially like how the session turns cheese facts into something you can taste right away, and how the host talks through pairing logic in plain language. One catch: the tasting room is on the 1st floor and is stairs only, so it is not a great fit if stairs are a problem.

Key points to know before you go

• Five Gouda styles, so you get real range, not the same cheese in costume
• Three wine pairings (red, white, and port) chosen to match the cheese board
• Palate reset with fig bread and water between tastings
• Old Amsterdam story plus the maker behind it, Westland Kaasspecialiteiten
• 20% off in the shop downstairs, so you can turn likes into purchases fast

First Stop: Old Amsterdam Cheese Store and the 1st-Floor Tasting Room

This is one of those Amsterdam activities that feels like a “quick win.” You walk in, you get guided through a focused tasting, and you leave with a clearer sense of what makes Dutch cheese different. The whole experience is set around the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, in North Holland, where the brand is front and center.

You will meet at the store, then head up to the tasting room on the 1st floor. Because it is stairs only, plan accordingly. Also note the alcohol rule: you must be at least 18 to drink the wines included in the session.

What surprised me in the best way is how “tour-like” this feels without turning into a lecture. It is structured around an instructor-led cheese talk, but the pacing is built for your senses. You taste, you cleanse your palate, and you taste again. At around 45 minutes, it is short enough to fit neatly into a busy day of canals and museums.

Inside the room, the setup is designed for comfort, with enough space to sit and focus on the cheese board. People also appreciate that there is a bathroom available on site, which is not always a given with quick food tastings.

Five Gouda Cheeses, Not Just One Style in Disguise

The headline is simple: you get five different Gouda cheeses. And that matters, because Gouda is not just one flavor. It changes with aging, with how it is made, and even with milk type. In practice, the board is built to show you how the cheese evolves as it matures.

Your tasting includes bits of cheese across the selection. The pieces are portioned for tasting, so you can compare them side by side. That means you are not leaving stuffed. You are leaving informed and hungry for the right thing to buy.

Between each cheese, you get palate cleansers: fig bread and water. This is more than a courtesy snack. If you skip palate resets, your palate gets tired and the differences between cheeses start to blur. With the bread and water built into the schedule, you can actually notice shifts, like when a cheese turns sharper with age or when flavors feel rounder and more buttery.

You might also find that the session leans into the practical side of tasting, like what to look for beyond “tastes good.” The activity is described as training you toward becoming a cheese-tasting master, and the flow supports that. You learn what the maker’s choices do to flavor, then you test the idea immediately with the next bite.

If you love cheese, you will appreciate the variety. If you do not normally buy cheese, you will still likely walk out with a favorite category, because five stops gives your taste buds enough data to make a call.

Three Wines Paired by a Sommelier, With a Clear Purpose

Included in the tasting are three wines: 1 red wine, 1 white wine, and 1 port wine. This is where the experience can either feel gimmicky or actually useful. Here, the structure is designed to do the second one.

Each wine is selected to complement the cheese you are sampling. The instructor explains what the pairing is aiming for, and the wines are served in a way that lets you experience the cheese first, then notice how the wine shifts what you perceive. Port is often a wildcard in pairings, but it has a specific role, adding sweetness and weight that can change how you experience saltiness and nuttiness.

Also, the session stays friendly if you are not a wine person. The talk focuses on simple pairing reasons, so you are not expected to name grape varieties to get value. You are meant to learn how wine can highlight cheese traits.

One more small thing that can make this feel fun rather than stiff: you can often ask for more wine if you want it. It is not the kind of place where you feel “locked in” to the first pour only. (Just keep in mind the alcohol age limit is strict.)

Old Amsterdam and Westland Kaasspecialiteiten: The Maker Story You Can Taste

Old Amsterdam is one of the brand names people connect with Dutch cheese for a reason, and this tasting gives you the backstory. You will hear the history of Old Amsterdam and how it ties to the maker, Westland Kaasspecialiteiten, described as a historic, family-run business.

You will not get the recipe details as a full step-by-step secret, but you do get hints. The goal is not to steal a family formula. The goal is to help you understand what the cheese represents, and how the choices made in production show up as flavor.

Why this part matters: it is easy to buy cheese as a souvenir. It is harder to buy it well. When you know a bit about who makes it and why it tastes the way it does, your shop visit becomes less random. You start asking smarter questions, like what age or style fits your taste and what to pair it with when you get home.

The tasting also covers how cheese is made in the Netherlands in broad strokes. The instructor’s explanation is built around what you are tasting, so it stays relevant. Instead of reading a wall of dairy terms, you connect the process to actual bites: texture changes, aroma changes, and the way flavors linger.

How the Tasting Room Session Runs, From First Sip to Last Bite

The experience is designed as a smooth 45-minute arc. You will start in the cheese-tasting room, where the host sets the stage and explains what you are going to sample. Then you move through the five cheeses, each matched with a wine.

Here is the typical rhythm you should expect:

• You try the first Gouda, with the matching wine alongside it
• You cleanse your palate with fig bread and water
• You repeat this pattern for each cheese on the board

That repetition is not boring. It is the point. It trains your palate to notice differences instead of just reacting to one cheese in isolation.

People also note the atmosphere is cozy, and the room can be air-conditioned, which is a real relief in Amsterdam when the weather turns warm or you need a break from crowds. The group size is kept intimate, with the room able to host around 18 people, which helps the host keep an eye on questions and pacing.

Speaking of hosts, you may get different instructors across sessions. Some examples from the experience include hosts such as Aris, Rik, Ron, Roberta, and Maria. Whoever you get, the common thread is lively hosting, with plenty of room for questions and a focus on pairing.

If you like food experiences that teach without being stuffy, this format works well.

The 20% Discount and the Smart Way to Shop Downstairs

This is not only a tasting. It is also a shopping setup. After you sample the cheeses upstairs, you can head downstairs to the shop, where you receive a 20% discount on purchases. That is a big value lever because cheese is exactly the sort of thing you can buy based on personal preference rather than hype.

A smart strategy is to wait until the end to commit. During the tasting, focus on identifying your favorites by style, not by brand alone. Then once you can taste again from memory, you are more likely to buy the cheese you will actually use.

You might also pick up extra items like spreads or chutneys if they are available. Some sessions have included small bonuses with the shopping experience, like a free chutney with certain purchases, so it is worth asking what comes with your discount when you are checking out.

Practical advice: buy what you can realistically store and eat. In Amsterdam, you might be traveling onward, so choose cheeses that fit your timeline. If you are staying put for a bit longer, you can buy broader variety. If you have limited fridge time, buy the one or two cheeses you are most excited to open.

Even if you do not buy much, the discount makes the tasting feel more like a guided tool for choosing, not just a standalone ticket.

Is This Good Value at $23 Per Person?

At $23 per person, this tasting is priced like a quick, focused food education stop, not like a long guided tour. The value comes from what is bundled in: 5 cheeses, 3 wines, fig bread, and water, plus a 20% discount that can meaningfully reduce what you buy after.

Here is why that matters in real terms:

• You are paying for instruction and pairing, not only for food
• The tasting is short, so you are not sacrificing half a day
• The discount can offset the cost if you buy even one cheese wheel or a few smaller items

If your goal is to “do something Dutch” in Amsterdam that is tasty and not overly formal, this hits the sweet spot. It is also a safe bet if you are traveling with one person who is more into food and another who just wants something fun, because everyone can participate in the tasting and then browse downstairs.

The only reason value might feel weak is if you plan to buy zero cheese and you do not drink wine. Still, you get the cheese learning component, which is the core of the experience.

Who Should Book This Amsterdam Cheese and Wine Tasting

This works especially well for:

• Food lovers who want a short lesson they can use immediately
• Couples and small groups who like interactive stops
• Wine and cheese fans who enjoy pairing logic
• People who want a low-effort plan that still feels special

It is less ideal if:

• Stairs are a problem for you, since the tasting room is only accessible by stairs
• You need an alcohol-free experience, since the wines are included and the minimum drinking age is 18

If you are planning a packed Amsterdam day, put this on your list as a break with payoff. It is not a long “show,” it is a timed tasting that leaves you with real takeaways.

Should You Book This Amsterdam Old Amsterdam Cheese Tasting?

Yes, if you want a compact, delicious intro to Dutch cheese with actual wine pairings and a chance to shop with a discount at the end. The best part is the structure: five Gouda cheeses, matched with three wines, and paced with fig bread and water so you can truly compare.

Skip it only if you cannot handle stairs or you are not comfortable with the alcohol component. Otherwise, it is one of the easiest ways to make your Amsterdam food time feel both fun and useful.

FAQ

How long is the Amsterdam Dutch cheese tasting with wine?

The experience lasts 45 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tasting?

Meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store.

What cheeses are included?

You will sample 5 different Gouda cheeses.

What wines are included?

The tasting includes 1 red wine, 1 white wine, and 1 port wine.

Is fig bread and water included?

Yes, fig bread and water are included.

Is there a discount after the tasting?

Yes, you receive a 20% discount in the shop downstairs.

What language is the host or instructor?

The host or greeter provides the session in English.

Is the tasting room wheelchair accessible?

It is on the 1st floor and only accessible by stairs, so it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What is the minimum age for alcohol?

The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years old.

What is the cancellation policy?

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