Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s cheese shops can feel like souvenir stops, but this one gives you a seat, a presenter, five cheeses, and several wines to taste side by side. You’ll learn why a young cheese may suit a white wine while an older Gouda can handle red wine or Port. The pairing lesson is the real point, not simply eating samples.

I like the short format and the friendly, lively guides, including Ron, Maria, Rick, and Luca, who have led sessions here. I also like the range of cheeses, including cow and goat cheeses at different ages. The main catch is that the tasting takes place above a cheese shop, so part of the experience is also a sales pitch.

Key points

• Five award-winning cheeses: The tasting focuses on five Dutch cheeses, with examples including young and aged Gouda, cow and goat varieties, and cheeses aged from about four to 18 months.
• Three wine styles: You can expect a selection built around white, red, and Port wines, though the exact bottles may vary.
• A practical pairing lesson: The presenter explains how age, milk type, and flavor affect the match between cheese and wine.
• A central Damrak location: The tasting starts and finishes at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, Damrak 62HS, close to public transportation.
• A compact 55-minute activity: It fits neatly into a busy Amsterdam day, especially on a rainy afternoon or between sightseeing stops.
• A shop discount may follow: Some sessions have included a 10 percent discount on cheese purchases after the tasting.

Five cheeses and three wines in less than an hour

This is a focused tasting, not a long meal. In about 55 minutes, you work through five cheeses and a small selection of wines while a guide explains what is in front of you and why the pairing works.

The structure suits you if you want an introduction to Dutch cheese without giving up half a day. It also gives the presenter enough time to explain the basics rather than simply placing food on a plate and naming it.

The cheese selection has featured five award-winning cheeses from 2024. Specific samples can vary, but the tasting has included several types of Gouda, two goat cheeses, and three cow cheeses. Some sessions have compared cheeses aged from roughly four to 18 months. That comparison matters: aging changes the texture, strength, and finish, giving you a clear lesson in how one family of cheese can develop over time.

The wine selection commonly includes a white, a red, and a Portuguese ruby Port. One account describes two white wines and one red, so the exact mix is not fixed. You should think of the wines as pairing tools rather than a formal wine class. The guide uses them to show why a softer cheese may work with white wine, while a stronger, older cheese may need red wine or Port.

You receive cutlery and the food and wine samples are included. This is enough for a satisfying tasting, but not a replacement for lunch. Plan another meal if you arrive hungry.

Inside Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak

The meeting point is Old Amsterdam Cheese Store at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam. The activity ends at the same address, which keeps the outing simple. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer, and private transportation is not included.

The shop itself is part of the experience. The tasting area is upstairs, with a presentation screen and seating for a small group. The room gives the session a more organized feel than a quick counter sample, while still keeping you close to the products being discussed.

The group limit is 26 people. That is not a private tasting, but it is small enough for a presenter to speak directly to the room and answer questions. The most personal sessions will depend on how many people book your time slot. One especially small session had only a couple attending, while other tastings brought together several pairs and groups of friends.

The Damrak address is handy if you are already walking between Amsterdam Centraal and Dam Square. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity does not involve a second stop or a ride outside the center.

The guide makes the difference

The best part of this experience is the presenter. The session works when the guide turns basic facts into something you can use at the table.

Ron has led sessions described as warm, funny, and clear. Maria has been praised for making the tasting welcoming, including for a solo participant who wanted an easy way to meet people. Rick has guided people through both the cheese and the wine, with special attention to the story of Old Amsterdam. Luca has also led a tasting and explained the cheese selection in detail.

These names come from individual sessions, so you should not assume a particular guide will lead your booking. Still, they give you a good sense of the format: an active presentation rather than a silent plate of samples.

Expect the guide to discuss how cheese is made, how milk type affects flavor, and how aging changes the finished product. You may hear the difference between goat and cow milk explained at the table. The presenter also connects the cheese to Dutch food traditions and the Old Amsterdam brand.

Some sessions have included a small booklet listing the cheeses. Another included a quiz with a small prize. Those extras may not appear every time, but they show how the staff tries to keep the hour social and hands-on.

The strongest praise has gone to guides who are both entertaining and clear. That combination matters. A technical talk about cultures, aging, and pairings can become dry fast, but a good presenter gives you enough information without making the tasting feel like a lecture.

What the cheese pairing teaches you

You are not just matching food and drink by personal taste. The guide explains how to notice salt, sweetness, sharpness, texture, and age, then tests those ideas with the wines.

A young cheese may be mild and creamy, while an older cheese can be firmer and more forceful. Goat cheese brings another contrast, often with a distinct tang compared with cow milk cheese. The point is not that one is better. The point is to notice what changes from sample to sample.

Wine gives the lesson a second layer. A white wine can keep a pairing light, a red can meet a stronger cheese, and Port can work with salty, aged flavors or a sweet finish. The presenter walks you through the combinations rather than leaving you to guess.

This is useful if you already enjoy wine and want a clearer method for building a cheese board at home. It is also easy for beginners. You do not need a trained palate. The session is designed to help you recognize subtle flavors, not to test you.

One tasting included a chocolate cheese at the end. That is an unusual touch, but flavored cheese is not the central theme. The staff has explained that the main selection focuses on traditional cheeses at different ages, so you can follow the cheese-making story instead of sampling a long list of novelty flavors.

If you prefer spicy, herb-filled, or heavily flavored cheeses, you may find the selection restrained. The focus is on traditional Dutch cheese and the way it matures.

How much value do you get for $32.65?

At $32.65 per person, the price is reasonable for a central Amsterdam activity that includes five cheeses, several wines, cutlery, and a guided presentation. You are paying for instruction as well as food. The guide gives context that you would not get from picking up a prepacked cheese sample in a shop.

The value is strongest if you are curious about pairing. Five cheeses and three wines give you enough combinations to notice a pattern, while the 55-minute length keeps the cost and time under control.

It is less compelling if you simply want a large amount of cheese and wine. Portions are tasting portions, and the experience finishes in under an hour. You are also in a retail setting, so the shop naturally invites you to buy cheese afterward.

That sales element is worth understanding before you book. The tasting supports the shop’s products and gives you a chance to buy the cheeses you just tried. Some sessions have offered a 10 percent discount on cheese purchases at the end. That can add value if you want to take Dutch cheese home, but you should not book this expecting a neutral, independent wine school.

For a couple, a solo visitor, or a small group of friends, the cost compares well with many central Amsterdam activities. It is also a useful rainy-day choice because the session takes place indoors and does not require a long walk or transport connection after arrival.

Who will enjoy this Amsterdam tasting?

I would choose this for you if food is part of how you understand a place. Dutch cheese is not just a shop item, and the tasting explains the work behind it: milk choice, aging, texture, and local tradition.

It is especially good for:

• Couples looking for a short shared activity
• Solo visitors who enjoy a social setting
• Friends who want an easy indoor stop
• Wine drinkers who want to improve their pairing skills
• People interested in Dutch food production
• Anyone with a spare hour near Damrak

The session also works well at the start of an Amsterdam stay. You can use what you learn later when choosing cheese at a market or shop. If you attend near the end of your visit, it becomes a pleasant final taste of the Netherlands, with the option to take cheese home.

Families need to note the alcohol rule. The minimum drinking age is 18. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but the provided information does not give detailed accessibility measurements for the upstairs tasting area. If stairs or limited mobility are a concern, ask the provider before booking.

Timing, group size, and small practical points

The activity lasts about 55 minutes. Arrive at Damrak 62HS with enough time to find the store and check in. Since the tasting starts and ends at the same place, you can plan another central activity right afterward.

The maximum group size is 26. That is large enough for a lively room, though not every session will reach the limit. If you want a quieter experience, a less busy time may be preferable, but the available information does not identify specific time slots as quieter.

The ticket is mobile, and the activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book. The tasting is not a private tour, and transportation is not included.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The deadline follows Amsterdam local time.

A good first taste of Dutch cheese

This tasting earns its strong reputation through three things: the friendly presentation, the clear cheese and wine pairings, and the amount you can learn in a short time. The guides bring humor and practical advice, while the samples give you a chance to compare rather than simply snack.

The sales setting and modest duration keep it from being a full food tour. You also cannot count on one exact cheese list or a particular guide. Still, at $32.65, it offers a fair way to spend an hour in central Amsterdam.

Book it if you like cheese, wine, and useful food stories. Skip it if you want a full meal, a long market tour, or a tasting built around unusual flavored cheeses. For most visitors with a spare hour near Damrak, this is a sensible and enjoyable introduction to Dutch cheese.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

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

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts approximately 55 minutes.

How many cheeses do you taste?

You taste five different cheeses. The selection has included award-winning cheeses from 2024, with examples such as Gouda, goat cheese, and cow cheese.

How many wines are included?

The tasting includes wine samples chosen to pair with the cheeses. Sessions have included white wine, red wine, and Port, though the exact selection can vary.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. The tasting begins and ends at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store meeting point.

Can someone under 18 join the wine tasting?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 26 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.