Amsterdam: Dutch Cheese Tasting Experience with Wine

A cheese-and-wine stop in Amsterdam that actually teaches. This 45-minute session focuses on Dutch Gouda variety with sommelier wine pairings, plus the story behind Old Amsterdam. You taste your way through different styles, then get to shop downstairs with a 20% discount.

I especially like the clear structure: five Gouda cheeses, fig bread and water for palate resets, and three wines matched to the board. It’s the kind of set-up that helps you understand what you’re tasting without turning it into a lecture.

One note before you go: the tasting room is on the 1st floor and is stairs only, so it’s not a great fit if stairs are hard for you.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Immediately

• Five Gouda cheeses in one short session, so you leave with real comparisons, not just one cheese you liked
• Three wine types (red, white, and port) chosen to work with the flavors and aging styles
• Old Amsterdam background linked to Westland Kaasspecialiteiten, the historic family-run maker
• Fig bread and water help you reset between tastings so flavors don’t blur together
• 20% shop discount after the tasting lets you turn your favorites into real take-home cheese

Meeting Point and First Impression: Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, which keeps things simple. No maze of stops, no guessing what you’re looking for—just head to the store and look for the tasting sign-in.

Once you’re inside, the experience feels like a private little break from the street noise. Several people point out the room stays comfortable for tasting (including during warmer weather), and that matters. Cheese is all about texture and aroma, and temperature can throw off the details.

The Room Setup: 45 Minutes, Upstairs Tasting, and an English Host

This is a 45-minute tasting session, so it’s built for a tight schedule. You’re not doing a long tour with a bunch of wandering; you’re doing a guided tasting in a dedicated room.

The room is on the 1st floor and accessible only by stairs. If you’re traveling with mobility needs, plan another food-and-cheese idea nearby, because this one won’t work in a straightforward way.

Expect an English-speaking host or greeter. Names that show up in the experience include Aris, Rik, Roberta, Ron, and Maria—and the consistent theme is that the host keeps things engaging while staying focused on the food.

Five Gouda Cheeses: How to Taste Like You Mean It

The heart of the session is five different Gouda cheeses. Gouda can feel like one “category” until you taste side by side. Here, you get that A-to-B clarity fast: different ages and styles start to make sense because you’re comparing them in a single sitting.

You’ll also notice how the host guides you on what to pay attention to. You’re not only tasting for flavor; you’re learning to spot differences in:

• Aroma (what the cheese smells like right away)
• Texture (how it breaks down in your mouth)
• Flavor progression (how it changes from the first bite to the finish)

Between each cheese, you get fig bread and water. That’s not just a snack. It’s your palate reset. Without that reset, rich cheeses start blending together and you stop tasting the differences. With it, you actually learn.

Portion sizes are sized for learning rather than stuffing yourself. It can feel like a small start, but the session is designed so you can compare every cheese clearly.

Old Amsterdam and the Westland Kaasspecialiteiten Connection

You don’t just taste cheese—you learn where this brand fits into Dutch cheese-making culture. A big part of the story is Old Amsterdam, one of the best-known Dutch cheeses, and the business behind it: Westland Kaasspecialiteiten.

You’ll hear about the company and its cheese-making tradition. The exact recipes are treated as family secrets, but the session still gives you enough hints to understand what makes the cheeses distinct. That blend of storytelling plus practical tasting is why this works better than many “food-only” stops.

One nice touch: the guide doesn’t just name-drop history. They connect the brand story to what you’re tasting in real time, so you’re not walking away with trivia you’ll forget next day.

The Wine Pairings: Red, White, and Port With a Real Purpose

A sommelier chooses three wines to complement the cheeses: 1 red, 1 white, and 1 port wine. This isn’t random pairing for show. The point is to show how acidity, sweetness, and body can change what you perceive in cheese.

Here’s what you can expect to get from the wine stage:

• Red wine helps highlight savory notes and adds structure against richer cheese flavors
• White wine works well for lighter, fresher tastes, keeping the palate clearer
• Port introduces a sweeter element that can amplify certain flavors and create a different kind of contrast

This is also where the guide’s style matters. Hosts like Aris and Rik are known for being both funny and focused, and that combination makes the pairing section easier to follow.

If you’re the type who wants to keep experimenting, you can also ask questions during the session. Some people note they’ve had no trouble requesting extra wine, so don’t be afraid to speak up.

Fig Bread, Water, and the Pace That Keeps You Thinking

The pace is one of the biggest reasons this session lands well. You taste, reset, taste again, then move on. You’re not stuck with one heavy bite for ten minutes.

The included fig bread and water do two useful jobs:

• They clear strong flavors between cheeses
• They give you something neutral to help you notice shifts from one wine pairing to the next

If you want to get the most out of the experience, go in ready to compare. Try to keep a mental note of what you prefer in each step: sharper vs. creamier, nutty vs. tangy, and how each wine changes your perception.

Value Check: Is $23 a Good Deal?

At $23 per person, this tasting feels like strong value in Amsterdam—mostly because you’re not just paying for five small bites. You’re also getting:

• Five different Gouda cheeses
• Three wine pairings (red, white, port)
• Fig bread and water
• A guided explanation from the instructor
• A 20% discount in the shop downstairs

That discount can turn the tasting into a shopping win, especially if you find one cheese you genuinely want at home. People often leave with more than they planned—like Old Amsterdam goat cheese or flavored varieties such as truffle Gouda.

Here’s the practical takeaway for you: if you’re already considering buying Dutch cheese, the tasting is a smart way to choose. You’ll know what you actually like before you spend.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Might Not Love It)

This session is a great fit if you want:

• A short, high-impact food experience
• A guided way to understand Gouda beyond the basics
• Wine pairing with clear explanations
• A chance to shop right after learning your preferences

It’s especially good for small groups or a birthday-style activity. Hosts have a reputation for keeping the mood light, and the session often feels personal rather than rushed.

If you have mobility issues, skip it due to the stairs-only access to the tasting room. Also remember that the minimum drinking age is 18.

Should You Book This Dutch Cheese and Wine Tasting?

I’d book it if you want a focused Amsterdam food moment that teaches you something usable. The format is tight, the cheese variety is real (five Gouda comparisons), and the pairing system gives you a framework to taste better back home. Add the 20% shop discount, and it starts to feel like a guided route to buying the right cheese, not just tasting for fun.

Skip it if stairs are a deal-breaker for you. And if you’re not interested in wine pairings at all, you might prefer a self-guided cheese tasting elsewhere.

If you do book, arrive a little curious and hungry for learning, not just for eating. That’s how you’ll leave with a clearer idea of what Dutch cheese means—and what you actually want to take home.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tasting?

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store.

How long is the Amsterdam cheese tasting experience?

The duration is 45 minutes.

What cheeses are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste 5 different Gouda cheeses.

What drinks come with the tasting?

The session includes 1 red wine, 1 white wine, and 1 port wine, plus fig bread and water.

What is the minimum age to drink alcohol on this tour?

The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years old.

Is the tasting room accessible if I have mobility impairments?

No. The cheese tasting room is on the 1st floor and is only accessible by stairs.

Is there free cancellation, and how does payment work?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.