Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s best cheese lesson may happen above a shop on busy Damrak. In about 55 minutes, you taste five Dutch cheeses with three wines, then learn why age, milk type, and texture change the pairing. It is a compact introduction to a food tradition you will see all over the Netherlands.

I like the clear pairing lesson and the warm, personal hosting. Guides including Rick, Maria, Luca, and Ron have been praised for making the session funny and easy to follow. I also like the chance to compare goat and cow cheese, younger and older wheels, and even a chocolate cheese in some tastings.

The main drawback is that this is held at an Old Amsterdam cheese shop, so it also serves as a sales introduction. You may want to buy cheese afterward, and the selection focuses on traditional styles rather than flavored varieties.

Key points at a glance

• Five Dutch cheeses: Compare cheeses made from goat and cow milk, with ages ranging from about four to 18 months.
• Three wine styles: Tastings commonly include a white wine, a red wine, and a Portuguese ruby Port.
• Above the Damrak shop: The session takes place at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, at Damrak 62HS.
• A practical food lesson: You learn how aging, milk type, texture, and sweetness affect a wine match.
• Small-group setting: The maximum group size is 26, though some sessions may feel much smaller.
• Good short stop: At roughly 55 minutes and $32.65 per person, it fits neatly into a busy Amsterdam day.

What happens inside the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

You meet at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, right in central Amsterdam. The experience begins and ends at the shop, so there is no coach ride, hotel pickup, or private transport to arrange.

The tasting area is upstairs above the retail store. It has presentation equipment and a room set aside for the lesson, giving the activity more structure than a quick sample at a shop counter. You are there to listen, taste, ask questions, and compare the pairings rather than simply collect a few cubes of cheese.

The setting matters. A cheese shop puts the products within arm’s reach, and the retail side is part of the experience. At the end, you can buy cheese to take home. One session offered a 10 percent discount on cheese, though you should confirm that this is available on your date rather than count on it as a standard inclusion.

You will not be whisked around Amsterdam or taken into a cheese-making facility. This is a focused indoor tasting, which makes it useful on a rainy afternoon or when you need a one-hour break from sightseeing.

Five cheeses, from young and mild to mature

The core of the session is a flight of five cheeses. The exact names are not supplied in advance, but the tasting focuses on Dutch Gouda styles, including goat and cow cheeses at different ages. One account described cheeses ranging from four to 18 months old.

That age comparison is one of the most useful parts of the activity. Young cheese tends to offer a softer, milder taste, while longer aging can bring firmer texture and stronger, more concentrated flavor. You are not simply told that one cheese is old and another is young. You get to taste the difference side by side.

The goat and cow comparison adds another useful layer. A guide may ask you to look at the color, smell, texture, and finish before explaining how the milk affects the cheese. This gives you a simple method you can use later in a Dutch market or cheese shop.

The range is traditional rather than experimental. If you want chili, truffle, pesto, or other flavored cheeses, this may feel conservative. The point is to explain how cheese-making and maturation shape flavor, not to provide the most unusual possible selection.

Some tastings also include a sweet chocolate cheese at the end. It is an extra surprise rather than the heart of the program, and availability may vary.

How the wine pairing works

The wine portion usually includes three pours: a white wine, a red wine, and a Portuguese ruby Port. Some descriptions refer to two white wines and one red, so the exact lineup may change. The wines come from different European countries rather than being presented as Dutch products.

The useful lesson is not simply which wine tastes good. You learn why a lighter wine can suit a younger or more delicate cheese, while a red may work better with a firmer, more mature piece. Port gives you a sweet, full finish and shows how fortified wine can work with strong cheese or a dessert-style bite.

You are encouraged to taste the cheese first, then the wine, and then try them together. That small act of comparison helps you notice how salt, fat, acidity, sweetness, and age interact. It is basic wine education, but it is practical and easy to remember.

The wines are served as part of the tasting, not as full glasses for an extended drinking session. The activity is about matching flavors, so it suits people who enjoy wine but do not need a formal sommelier course.

The guides make the short format work

A 55-minute tasting leaves little room for a slow, wandering presentation. The host needs to keep the pace moving while giving you enough time to taste. This is where the individual presenters matter.

Rick has been praised for his explanations of both wine and cheese, as well as the story of Old Amsterdam. Maria is described as friendly and effective at teaching cheese-making. Luca has been noted for explaining the selection clearly, while Ron has led lively sessions for groups and answered questions about the products.

You should not assume that a particular guide will lead your session. The host depends on the date and schedule. Still, the repeated pattern is clear: the best part of the experience is the presenter’s ability to turn a simple tasting into a conversation.

The format also works well for solo visitors. You may be seated with other people, and the shared tasting gives you an easy topic to discuss. Groups of friends can enjoy it as a relaxed hour together, while couples may receive more personal attention if the session is lightly booked.

The maximum group size is 26. That is not a private tasting, and a full group will feel less personal than a small one. If you prefer direct access to the guide, ask questions early and take part in the discussion.

Dutch cheese with a little Amsterdam context

The lesson covers more than flavor. You learn about cheese production, maturation, the difference between goat and cow milk, and the connection between Gouda-style cheeses and the surrounding Dutch food tradition.

The Old Amsterdam brand and its founders also form part of the presentation. This gives the session a product-specific angle. You are learning about Dutch cheese, but you are also learning about the shop’s own range.

That commercial link is worth understanding before you book. This is not an independent museum program or a broad survey of every cheese made in the Netherlands. It is an educational tasting hosted by a cheese retailer. The sales element does not cancel out the lesson, but it shapes it.

For many people, that is a fair trade. You can taste before buying, ask what will travel well, and take home a cheese you already know you like. If you want a neutral comparison of many Dutch producers, look for a different kind of food tour.

Is $32.65 a fair price?

At $32.65 per person, the value depends on how you use the hour. You receive five cheese samples, several wine pairings, cutlery, and a guided explanation in English. You also get the convenience of a central meeting point and no extra transport time.

I consider it a fair price for a structured tasting in central Amsterdam, especially if you care about understanding why the pairings work. It costs more than buying a few samples at a market, but the guide provides the context, sequence, and comparison that you cannot get from a plate of cheese alone.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors to the Netherlands. You leave with a better sense of what to look for in a cheese shop, and you can make a more informed purchase afterward. It is also a reasonable splurge for a rainy afternoon, when an indoor hour with food and wine is more appealing than another canal-side walk.

The value is weaker if you already know Dutch cheese well or want a substantial meal. This is a tasting, not lunch. The portions are designed for comparison, and the 55-minute schedule keeps the experience brisk.

Timing, access, and the practical details

Confirmation arrives when you book, and you use a mobile ticket. The activity is offered in English, which is useful if you want explanations rather than a self-guided sampling.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Bring identification if your age could be questioned. Service animals are allowed, and the shop is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but the supplied information does not describe specific wheelchair access, stairs, or restroom arrangements. If those details matter to you, contact the provider before booking because the tasting room is upstairs.

The meeting point is easy to build into a central Amsterdam itinerary, but give yourself time to locate Damrak 62HS. The activity ends where it begins, so you can continue sightseeing, shopping, or return to the nearby station area without arranging a ride.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation or change made inside that 24-hour window is not refunded or accepted, based on local Amsterdam time.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

I would choose this experience for you if you enjoy food stories, want a short indoor activity, or are unsure how to judge Dutch cheese. It is especially useful for:

• First-time visitors who want a gentle introduction to Gouda-style cheese
• Couples looking for a relaxed food stop
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting people around a shared table
• Friends who want something easy before dinner
• Wine drinkers who want simple pairing advice
• Rainy-day sightseers who need an activity in central Amsterdam

Families should note the 18-plus drinking rule. The activity may not suit anyone avoiding alcohol, though the main food lesson is about cheese.

It may not be the right choice if you want a full meal, a farm visit, a market tour, or a technical wine qualification. It also may disappoint if you are looking mainly for flavored cheeses or a broad tasting from many unrelated producers.

Small details that improve the experience

Ask for the names of the cheeses and wines as you go. One person specifically wished for a written list, and that is good advice. Names and styles blur together when five cheeses and three wines arrive in under an hour.

Take notes on your favorites before shopping downstairs. Pay attention to the milk type and aging time, not only the brand. If you find a cheese you love, the store gives you a convenient chance to buy it while the flavor is still fresh in your mind.

If a quiz or booklet is offered, use it. Some sessions include a small booklet and a short quiz with a prize, but these extras are not guaranteed. They make the lesson more active and help you remember the differences between the cheeses.

Do not arrive expecting a long tasting menu. The strength of this activity is its compact design. You get a clear introduction, several comparisons, and a chance to ask questions without giving up half a day.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam cheese tasting?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-organized introduction to Dutch cheese and wine without leaving central Amsterdam. The strongest reasons are the five-cheese comparison, the goat and cow milk lesson, the mix of white, red, and Port wine, and the hosts’ lively presentation style.

Skip it if you want a farm-to-table visit, a large meal, or a completely independent look at Dutch cheese. The shop naturally promotes its own products, and the traditional selection may feel familiar if you already know Gouda well.

For most food-minded visitors, $32.65 buys a useful hour rather than just a few samples. Keep the rest of your day flexible, ask for the cheese and wine names, and leave time to decide what you want to take home.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

It takes place at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts approximately 55 minutes.

What is included in the tasting?

Food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery are included.

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste five different Dutch cheeses. The selection can include goat and cow cheeses with different aging periods.

How many wines are served?

The tasting generally includes three wines, commonly a white wine, a red wine, and a Portuguese ruby Port. The exact combination can vary.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.