Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Five cheeses, three wines, one smart hour. This tasting at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store is a simple, fun way to learn how Dutch flavors actually work, not just what to buy. You’ll sample five cheeses with white, red, and port wine pairings that make the differences obvious.

I love how the format teaches you to taste with intention. You get guidance on goat vs. cow styles and how aging changes texture and flavor, and the room is set up for real learning, from the first bite to the last sip. In past sessions, hosts like Ron Pieters, Maria, and Luca have guided the tasting, each bringing their own friendly style.

One drawback to consider: the lineup is the same flight for most departures. If you crave a huge variety of cheese types beyond the core set, this can feel more like an in-depth shop tasting than a wide-ranging food crawl.

Key things that make this cheese and wine tasting worth your time

• Five award-winning cheeses served with a guided explanation of what makes each one different
• Wine pairings that teach the why, with white, red, and port used across the tasting
• A focused 55-minute format that fits neatly between canal walks and museum stops
• A small group size (up to 26), which keeps questions from getting lost
• You can shop right after, with a discount mentioned as a nice bonus by some guests

Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak, and why the setup matters

Amsterdam is full of great food stops, but this one is built for tasting, not wandering. The meeting point is Damrak 62HS, right where you can connect quickly with public transit and still feel like you’re in the center of the action. The activity ends back at the same spot, so you do not have to plan a second half of your evening.

The store’s big advantage is the layout. The tasting happens in a dedicated space above the shop, which keeps things organized and makes it easier to hear the guide. You get a clear, screen-supported presentation and a live host who walks you through the flight step by step. It turns a quick stop into something that feels like a lesson you can actually use later.

Small details add up. You’re provided cutlery, and that matters because cheese tasting is easier when you can handle portions cleanly. You’re also tasting with wine as part of the structure, not just ordering something on the side. That keeps the experience coherent, so you leave with a better sense of pairing logic.

The session language is English, and it works for most people. Service animals are allowed, and the location is close to public transport. If you like a straightforward plan with minimal fuss, this fits well into a packed day.

The tasting flight: five cheeses plus white, red, and port

This is not a buffet. It’s a curated flight designed to show you how cheese changes across milk type and aging.

The tasting includes five different cheeses and you’ll pair them with three wine styles. The wine set typically includes a white wine, a red blend, and a Portuguese ruby Port. That combination is clever because white and red cover the usual pairings people think about, and port gives you a sweet, rich counterpoint for the last notes.

Here’s what the flight is built to teach you:

1) Goat vs. cow differences

You’ll get help spotting how goat cheese can taste tangier or more pronounced, while cow cheese often feels rounder depending on its age. Some guests specifically note learning the difference between goat and cow cheeses and how the aging process affects flavor and texture.

2) Young vs. aged behavior

Aging isn’t just marketing words. As cheeses mature, they can shift from mild and creamy toward more complex, sharper, and sometimes nuttier profiles. One guest described tasting cheeses across ages such as 4 to 18 months, which gives you a real sense of how maturity changes what you notice first.

3) Why the wine pairing feels logical

The guide does the work of connecting flavor dots. The idea is not that you memorize a rule. It’s that you start hearing and tasting patterns, like when the white wine feels right for lighter or fresher styles, and when red or port makes the cheese seem more complete.

Practical tip: pace your bites. Take a moment between cheeses so your palate resets. If you gulp everything at once, the pairing lesson gets fuzzy. The whole format is meant to slow you down just enough to notice the changes.

How the guide helps you taste, not just snack

This experience shines because the host does more than list cheese facts. The best moments are when the guide shows you how to connect milk, aging, and pairing choices.

In many sessions, hosts are described as friendly and engaging, with the ability to explain the cheese and wine pairing in a way that clicks quickly. You’ll usually get context on the history of cheese making at the Old Amsterdam store and why the choices in the flight work together. Hosts like Ron Pieters, Maria, and Luca have been specifically mentioned, and that matters because it suggests consistency in how the information is presented.

You’ll also get interactive bits, like a short quiz mentioned by one guest. That’s a smart way to make the lesson stick without turning the tasting into a formal class. If you like learning while still having fun, that quiz approach can be a bonus.

One useful thing to expect: you’ll come away better at shopping. Several people mention being able to buy cheese at the shop, and that you leave with recommendations. Even if you’re not trying to stock a cheese board for a week, you’ll likely know what to look for in terms of age and style.

If you’re the type who always orders wine first and cheese second, this will train your instincts in the other direction. The tasting makes you consider cheese structure before you pick the drink.

Your hour plan: what happens from start to finish

The session runs about 55 minutes. That’s a sweet spot in Amsterdam. It is long enough to taste and learn, but short enough that you’re not losing a half day to food logistics.

You start at Damrak 62HS. From there, you head into the tasting space above the store. Expect an introduction to the cheese flight and the pairing logic. The host will set expectations so you know what you’re tasting and why it matters.

Then the tasting unfolds in a steady rhythm:

1. Cheese is served in sequence with short explanations.
2. You taste and notice shifts in flavor as you go through the lineup.
3. Wine is paired to highlight what changes when the drink meets the cheese.
4. You get time to ask questions during the walkthrough.
5. At the end, there may be a quiz or a quick recap, plus a chance to buy cheese at the shop.

What I like about this timing: it respects your day. Amsterdam can be intense with walking and decision fatigue. A structured tasting like this is a relief. You get a plan, you follow it, and you finish while you still feel fresh.

If you’re visiting on a rainy day, it’s also a smart indoor option. One guest specifically pointed out how well it fit as a rainy-day activity.

Price and value: is $32.65 for 55 minutes fair?

At $32.65 per person, this is priced in the “small but not cheap” range. The key question is what you actually get for that spend, and the value is tied to three things you cannot easily replicate at home.

First, you get guided pairings. You’re tasting cheese with wine in a deliberate sequence, so you learn pairing logic fast. If you tried to recreate this on your own, you would likely spend more buying multiple cheeses and wines without knowing what to expect.

Second, you get a structured flight of five cheeses. That’s enough variety to be meaningful, but it’s still compact enough to stay organized.

Third, you get access to the shop. Many guests liked that you can buy cheese afterward, and some mention a discount after the tasting. Even without assuming you’ll buy anything, the discount can make a cheese souvenir feel less like an expensive afterthought.

One consideration: the experience is not a long-form tasting tour across multiple locations. It’s anchored at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. That’s great for focus, but it means your flight choices are limited to the set menu. If you want a wide range of flavors beyond what the store chooses for the flight, you might wish the lineup offered more variety.

Still, for a 55-minute learning stop with a strong cheese and wine pairing lesson, the price is reasonable.

Best for who: food lovers, curious tasters, and groups

This tasting is ideal for people who like food, like wine, and want to sharpen their palate without turning it into work.

You’ll probably love it if:

• you enjoy Dutch cheese and want a quick crash course on what changes with aging
• you’re interested in wine pairing but do not want to figure it out trial-and-error style
• you like a guided session where you can ask questions and get recommendations
• you’re traveling with friends or as a couple and want a calm, indoor activity that still feels social

It also works well if you’re on a tighter schedule. Since it lasts about an hour and starts/ends near the meeting point, it slots easily between canal walks and museums.

One subtle plus: it can be a great solo-friendly activity. Some guests described solo experiences and meeting others in a small, intimate setting. With a maximum of 26 travelers, it’s not overcrowded, so your questions and reactions still matter.

Minimum drinking age is 18, so if anyone in your group is under that age, plan accordingly. Alcohol is part of the experience.

Shop stop in practice: how to use what you learn

A tasting is only half the value. The other half is taking the flavor lessons into your purchases.

Here’s how to make the shop time work for you:

• Ask the guide what age range you liked most, since the tasting emphasizes aging differences.
• Pay attention to whether you preferred the goat or cow cheese styles, then match that preference in the store.
• If you liked the white pairings, look for cheeses that taste lighter and fresher. If you liked the red or port pairings, lean toward richer or more mature styles.

Some guests also noted that the setting includes presentation support and a dedicated room, which helps you remember what you tasted. When you leave and browse, it feels like you have context instead of just picking by label.

If you’re buying souvenirs, think smaller than you think. One or two cheeses you can finish soon often make a bigger impact than a full haul that turns into a food project later.

Should you book this cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam?

Book it if you want a high-focus food experience that teaches you how to taste cheese and match it with wine in about an hour. It’s a strong choice when you want something more meaningful than a quick snack, especially if you like guided explanations and a tidy plan.

Skip it if you already feel like you know cheese pairings well and you crave a broader menu of cheese styles beyond the store’s fixed flight. Since the tasting is built around a set lineup, you’ll get depth, but not endless variety.

If your trip includes a day when you want to take the edge off the walking, this is a dependable pick.

FAQ

How long is the cheese and wine tasting in Amsterdam?

It lasts about 55 minutes.

Where is the meeting point for the tasting?

You meet at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

The experience includes food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

How many people are in the group?

The tasting has a maximum of 26 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.