Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has many ways to sample Dutch cheese, but this 55-minute tasting pairs five cheeses with three wines, turning a quick shop visit into a short food lesson. At the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak, you learn how milk type and aging affect flavor, then test those ideas with white wine, red wine, and Port.

I like the practical format and the friendly, lively guides, including Rick, Maria, Luca, and Ron, who explain the cheese without making the session feel like a lecture. I also like that you can compare goat and cow cheese, younger and older wheels, and see why different wines work with each one. The main drawback is that the experience takes place in a cheese shop and also promotes its products, so it may feel partly like a sales presentation.

Key points

• Five cheeses, three wines: Taste a selection of Dutch cheeses with white, red, and Port pairings.
• Aging is part of the lesson: Compare cheeses aged from roughly four to 18 months and notice how flavor changes.
• Upstairs tasting room: The session takes place above the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store at Damrak 62HS.
• Useful for first-time visitors: You get a compact introduction to Dutch cheese-making, Gouda traditions, and pairing basics.
• Small enough for conversation: The group can reach 26 people, with some sessions feeling more personal when attendance is low.
• A shop discount may follow: Some sessions provide a 10 percent cheese discount, giving you a chance to take favorites home.

Five Dutch cheeses in 55 minutes

This is a compact experience, not a long meal. You arrive at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, check in for the tasting, and head to the designated room above the shop. The tasting begins with an explanation of what you are about to try, then moves through five cheeses and their wine matches.

The exact order and presentation can vary, but the central idea is clear: taste first, listen, then taste again with wine. That second taste is useful. Cheese can seem salty, creamy, nutty, sharp, or sweet on its own, while wine can change how those qualities register.

The selection centers on Dutch-style cheeses, with Gouda playing an important role. You may taste both goat and cow cheeses, as well as cheeses at different stages of aging. A younger cheese tends to offer a softer, gentler profile, while a longer-aged cheese can bring firmer texture and stronger flavor.

I like this approach because it gives you something to compare. A standard cheese tasting can become a parade of small bites that blur together. Here, the differences in milk and age give you a simple framework for remembering what you tasted.

The Old Amsterdam Cheese Store setting

The address is Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, right in the center of the city. The store is near public transportation, and the activity begins and ends at the same location. That makes it easy to fit between sightseeing stops, especially if you are already exploring the central canal district.

The tasting area is upstairs, with a presentation screen and room for a group of up to 26 people. The setting has a more organized feel than simply sampling a wedge at a retail counter. You sit, listen, taste, and have a guide nearby to answer questions.

The group limit matters. Twenty-six people is not an intimate private lesson, but it is still manageable for a one-hour presentation. If attendance is light, the session may feel more personal, with room for direct questions and extra conversation. If the room is full, you should expect a shared group presentation rather than one-to-one attention.

The shop setting is both a strength and a limitation. You get to see the products you have just tasted and can buy cheese afterward. At the same time, the activity is linked to a retail business, so part of the experience serves as an introduction to the store’s range.

What you taste with the wine

The standard format includes five cheeses and three wines. The wines described in the tasting include a white, a red blend, and a Portuguese ruby Port. Some details vary in the descriptions of individual sessions, with one account noting two whites and one red, so the precise lineup may not be identical every time.

That is worth keeping in mind if you are expecting a fixed wine list. The useful point is that you taste several wine styles rather than one bottle throughout. The guide shows how a lighter wine can suit one cheese, while a fuller red or sweeter Port may work better with another.

The Port pairing is a particularly helpful addition. Many visitors know the basic cheese and red wine combination, but a fortified, sweet wine gives you another way to think about salt, age, and intensity. It can also make the final pairing feel different from the earlier samples.

You should not expect full glasses or a substitute for lunch. This is a tasting, with portions designed for comparison. The included food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery cover the basic session, but private transport and other extras are not included.

Learning how Dutch cheese changes with age

The best part of the presentation is the explanation of aging. Cheese does not taste the same after four months as it does after 18 months, and this tasting gives you several points of comparison.

A younger cheese may be softer and more mild. As it matures, the texture can become firmer and the flavor more pronounced. The guide explains how the process affects the cheese, so you are not simply told that one sample is older. You get a reason for the change.

The tasting also introduces the difference between goat and cow milk. This is a useful lesson for shoppers who often buy cheese by appearance alone. Once you taste the samples side by side, you have a better chance of identifying the qualities you prefer.

One small disappointment is that the tasting focuses on traditional cheeses rather than flavored varieties. If you want truffle, herbs, pepper, or other modern additions, you may find the selection restrained. If you want to understand classic Dutch cheese-making, that restraint makes sense.

The program has also included a chocolate cheese dessert sample. It is not presented as the main feature, and it may not appear at every session, but it shows how the shop can add a playful final taste to a traditional lineup.

The guides make the difference

The guide is central to this experience. A tray of cheese and wine is easy to arrange, but the value comes from explaining what you are tasting and why the pairing works.

Rick is described as clear and well informed about both wine and cheese. Maria has been praised for a strong presentation, while Luca has been noted for explaining the samples and setting them out in an attractive way. Ron also leads tastings and adds humor and personal energy to the session.

The names matter because the presentation style can shape the hour. This is not meant to be a silent tasting. You should expect stories about cheese production, Dutch traditions, the Old Amsterdam brand, and the founders of the cheese company.

Some sessions include a quiz at the end, with a small prize for the winner. A booklet has also been provided during at least one presentation, listing details about the cheeses. These extras help you remember the tasting, though you should not count on receiving a printed cheese and wine list every time. One useful improvement would be a simple handout with the exact products served.

The tone is generally social and relaxed. Solo visitors can use the format to meet other people around the table, while groups of friends can share the tasting without needing to arrange a private event. The guide’s role is to keep the session moving and make technical points understandable.

How much value do you get for $32.65?

At $32.65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat cheese in Amsterdam. You can buy a few slices at a market or shop for less. The question is what you want from the money.

You are paying for five cheese samples, three wine pairings, a seated presentation, an explanation of cheese-making, and the chance to ask questions. You also get a structured comparison that would be difficult to recreate on your own unless you already know which cheeses and wines to buy.

I think the price is fair for a visitor who wants a short, organized introduction. The 55-minute length is a benefit if your schedule is tight. It is long enough to learn the basic ideas, but short enough to fit before a museum visit, canal walk, or dinner.

The value is less convincing if you are already an expert in cheese and wine or have booked a larger food tour. The content is introductory rather than advanced. It also has a promotional side, since the tasting takes place in a shop and may end with the chance to buy cheese at a discount.

A 10 percent shop discount has been offered after the tasting. If you plan to take cheese home, that can improve the overall value. Check the details on the day, since the provided information does not promise that the discount applies to every booking.

Timing, groups, and practical planning

The tasting lasts about 55 minutes. I would allow a little extra time before and after if you want to browse the store, buy cheese, or ask the guide follow-up questions.

The activity starts and ends at Damrak 62HS. There is no private transportation, so you make your own way to the store. The central location and nearby public transport make this a straightforward stop for most people already in Amsterdam.

The activity is offered in English. The minimum drinking age is 18, and you should bring identification if you may be asked to confirm your age. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part.

The maximum group size is 26. That is large enough for a social atmosphere but small enough for a single guide to address the full room. If you want the most personal format possible, a quieter departure may suit you better, though the available information does not promise a particular group size for your date.

The experience is commonly booked around two weeks ahead. That does not mean you must reserve exactly 14 days in advance, but it is sensible to book ahead if your Amsterdam dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses Amsterdam local time.

Who should book this tasting?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy food but want more than a quick sample. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want a basic understanding of Dutch cheese without committing to a half-day food tour.

It is also a good rainy-day choice. The session takes place indoors, requires little walking, and gives you a focused activity in the center of Amsterdam. Couples, friends, solo visitors, and small family groups can all fit the format, provided everyone meets the drinking-age requirement where applicable.

You will get the most from it if you ask questions. Ask about the age of a cheese, the type of milk used, the reason a wine was chosen, and which sample is best for taking home. The guide is there to help you connect the tasting with what you may see in Dutch markets and cheese shops.

I would be more cautious if you dislike retail presentations. The shop connection is obvious, and the experience may encourage you to buy cheese afterward. That is not a problem if you welcome a practical shopping opportunity, but it may feel less authentic if you want a purely independent culinary class.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam tasting?

Book it if you want a short, social, and educational introduction to Dutch cheese and wine. The strongest reasons are the five-cheese comparison, the mix of goat and cow cheeses, the attention to aging, and the three wine styles.

I would especially choose it early in your Amsterdam visit. The information can guide later cheese shopping, and the central Damrak location makes it easy to combine with other plans.

Skip it if you want a full meal, a long winery-style session, or a tasting built around rare and unusual cheeses. This is a focused retail-based presentation, not a grand food tour. For $32.65, though, it gives you a useful hour, plenty to taste, and a clearer idea of why Dutch cheese deserves space in your suitcase.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 55 minutes.

What is included in the price?

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

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste five different cheeses, including Dutch cheeses selected for the presentation.

How many wines are included?

The tasting includes three wines. The described pairings include white wine, red wine, and Portuguese ruby Port, though the exact lineup can vary.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

How large can the group be?

The activity can have a maximum of 26 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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