Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s cheese story gets a tidy, tasty introduction in this 55-minute tasting above the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. You sample five cheeses, learn how milk type and aging change flavor, and test the results with selected wines. It is part lesson, part snack, and part shop visit.

I like the clear focus on pairing, rather than simply putting cheese on a plate and pouring wine beside it. I also like the mix of Dutch food culture, practical tasting tips, and a guide who can answer questions. The main consideration is that this is held in a cheese shop, so the presentation also serves as a gentle sales pitch.

Key points at a glance

• Five cheeses, several stages of aging: You may taste young and mature cheeses, with examples ranging from 4 to 18 months.
• Wine pairing, not just wine tasting: Sessions have included white wine, red wine, and Portuguese ruby Port.
• A compact lesson in Dutch cheese: Learn about Gouda-style cheese, goat and cow milk, production, and regional traditions.
• A friendly upstairs setting: The tasting room has a presentation screen and a live guide, with group sizes capped at 26.
• Convenient central location: Meet at Damrak 62HS, close to Amsterdam’s main central area and public transportation.
• Useful for a rainy hour: At $32.65 per person, it offers food, wine, instruction, and a 10 percent cheese discount reported in the tasting session.

Five cheeses and three wine styles in 55 minutes

The heart of the experience is simple: taste five cheeses, then see how different wines change the way they taste. This gives you more to think about than a standard shop sample, especially if you have always bought Dutch cheese without knowing why one wedge tastes mild and another tastes sharp or caramel-like.

The cheeses are described as award-winning selections from 2024. Past tasting descriptions include two goat cheeses and three cow cheeses, with cheeses at different ages. That makes the session useful for comparing milk types and maturity instead of treating all Dutch cheese as one thing.

Wine pairings have included a white, a red, and a Port. Some tasting descriptions also mention two white wines and one red, so the exact lineup may change. The important point is that you get several wine styles and learn why a lighter wine may suit one cheese while a richer red or sweet Port works better with another.

The format is educational but not stiff. Guides have used a presentation screen, explained the cheese-making process, and sometimes added a small quiz with a prize. You may also receive a booklet or handout, though this appears to vary by session. One useful improvement would be a consistent sheet listing the exact cheese and wine names, since those details are not always supplied.

Inside the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak

You meet at Damrak 62HS, an easy-to-reach address in central Amsterdam. The activity begins and ends at the same place, so there is no shuttle, canal boat, or separate transport to organize. That matters when you are planning around museum tickets, a canal cruise, or dinner.

The shop itself is the first part of the experience. You can look at the cheeses before or after the tasting, and you will have the chance to buy some to take home. A 10 percent shop discount has been offered with at least one tasting session, so ask whether that deal applies on your date.

The tasting area is upstairs. It has been described as a pleasant room set up for instruction, with a screen and space for a live presentation. The maximum group size is 26 people. That is not a private tasting, but it is small enough for questions if the session is not full.

The setting also tells you what this activity is. It is not a farm visit or a behind-the-scenes dairy tour. You will not be watching cows being milked or seeing cheese made on site. Instead, you get a central-city introduction to Dutch cheese in a polished shop environment.

What the cheese lesson actually teaches you

The best part of the tasting is the comparison between cheeses. A guide explains how the cheese is made, how long it has aged, and how those choices affect taste and texture. You learn to look for changes caused by age, rather than simply deciding that one cheese is mild and another is strong.

The tasting has also covered the difference between goat and cow milk. This is a useful lesson because the distinction can be subtle when you are tasting quickly. With several cheeses in front of you, you can compare them side by side and begin to notice differences in flavor and mouthfeel.

The age range gives the session another layer. Reviews of the tasting refer to cheeses aged from roughly 4 to 18 months. Younger cheese tends to give you a softer, gentler introduction, while older cheese provides a stronger example of how time changes flavor. The guide explains the process in plain terms and shows how the cheese develops as it matures.

The focus is largely on Dutch cheese and Gouda-style traditions. You may also hear about cheese making around the Amsterdam area and the story of the Old Amsterdam brand. This helps connect the sample in front of you with the wider food culture of the Netherlands.

Learning why the pairings work

A good pairing lesson is not about finding one correct answer. It is about noticing how wine changes the cheese and how the cheese changes the wine. The guide encourages you to taste the cheese, taste the wine, and then try them together.

A white wine may keep a younger or milder cheese feeling fresh. A red wine can give a firmer, older cheese a different balance. Port brings sweetness and weight, which can work well with a stronger cheese or with the small dessert-style cheese mentioned in one tasting account.

You do not need a trained palate to enjoy this. The guide’s job is to give you words and comparisons that make sense. Several guides have led sessions, including Rick, Maria, Luca, and Ron. The exact person on duty will depend on your date, but the sessions have been praised for friendly, clear explanations and an easy sense of humor.

The wine is part of the price, but remember that this is a tasting rather than a full meal. Five cheese portions and several wine samples can be satisfying for an hour, yet you should not book it as a substitute for lunch or dinner. If you want a larger meal afterward, plan one separately.

The guides make the short format work

The 55-minute length is both a strength and a limit. I like it for a busy Amsterdam day because it fits neatly between major sights. You can spend the morning in the historic center, take the tasting around midday or afternoon, and still have time for another activity.

The guide needs to keep the talk moving, since there are five cheeses, several wines, and plenty of material to cover. Past sessions have included explanations of production, aging, milk types, pairing, and Dutch cheese traditions. That is a lot for less than an hour, so you should expect a brisk introduction rather than a specialist course.

The presentation style seems to be one of the strongest parts. Guides have been described as engaging, funny, and willing to answer questions. Solo visitors can also find the format social, since you sit with other people and share the tasting. Groups of friends can enjoy it together without committing to a long formal food tour.

If you are especially interested in wine, keep your expectations in check. The central subject is Dutch cheese. You will learn why the selected wines work with the samples, but this is not a detailed wine course covering grape varieties, vineyards, or winemaking.

How much value do you get for $32.65?

At $32.65 per person, the value depends on what you want from a tasting. You receive five cheeses, wine samples, cutlery, and an English presentation in a central Amsterdam location. You also get advice on pairing and a chance to buy the cheese you liked best.

That is a reasonable price for a short, organized food activity in the city center. It is particularly useful if you would otherwise spend money sampling several cheeses on your own without understanding the differences. The guide gives structure to the tasting and helps you recognize what you are eating.

The value is less convincing if you want a large quantity of food, a full meal, or a visit to an actual cheese farm. It is also worth remembering that the cheese shop benefits if you buy products afterward. That does not cancel out the lesson, but it does mean you should view the tasting as both an introduction and a retail experience.

The reported 10 percent discount can improve the deal if you already plan to bring Dutch cheese home. Ask about the current discount before buying, since the supplied information does not state that it is guaranteed for every session.

Who will enjoy this Amsterdam tasting?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time visitors who want a simple introduction to Dutch cheese
• Couples looking for a short food activity
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting people in a small group
• Friends who want a relaxed hour indoors
• Anyone curious about goat and cow milk cheeses
• Visitors who want guidance before buying cheese as a souvenir

It also works well on a rainy day. The central location, short duration, and indoor room make it easy to fit into a changeable Amsterdam schedule.

Families need to check the drinking-age rule carefully. The minimum drinking age is 18, so this experience is designed for adults who can take part in the wine tasting. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

If you dislike cheese, do not book this simply because the activity is popular. The tasting centers on cheese from beginning to end. Likewise, if you want a highly personal experience, a full group of 26 may feel less intimate than a private tasting.

Practical details before you go

Bring your mobile ticket, since mobile entry is supported. The session is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Arrive at the Damrak address with enough time to find the shop and get settled. The meeting point is also the end point, and private transportation is not included. The location is near public transportation, so you can reach it without arranging a dedicated ride.

The activity is usually booked about 14 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful planning signal. If your Amsterdam schedule is fixed, booking ahead is sensible.

The cancellation terms are friendly if your plans change early. You can receive a full refund by cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Small drawbacks worth knowing

The biggest limitation is the commercial setting. You are tasting products sold by the host shop, and the session may encourage you to make a purchase. For many people, that is convenient. If you are seeking a neutral food class with no sales element, this may feel less appealing.

The exact cheese and wine list may also vary. You can expect five cheeses and selected wines, but the descriptions supplied for different sessions are not identical. One account mentions white, red, and Port, while another mentions two white wines and one red.

The session can also feel short if you want time for long questions. Five cheeses, wine pairing, and production notes fit into 55 minutes, but the guide has to keep the pace brisk. A handout with the exact names would make it easier to remember your favorites, and not every session appears to provide one.

These are modest concerns, not deal breakers. They simply help you choose the activity for the right reasons: a compact introduction, not a full-day food tour.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam cheese tasting?

Book it if you want a convenient, adult-only introduction to Dutch cheese and wine without spending half a day on a tour. The five-cheese format, changing ages, goat and cow comparisons, and several wine styles give you enough variety to make the hour worthwhile.

I would especially choose it for a rainy afternoon, a first visit to Amsterdam, or a final day when you want to take home a few edible souvenirs. The central location and same-place return keep the logistics simple.

Skip it if you want a farm visit, a full meal, or an in-depth wine class. Also skip it if you dislike the idea of a tasting held inside a retail cheese shop. For everyone else, $32.65 buys a focused lesson, generous flavor comparisons, and a useful introduction to what makes Dutch cheese more than a yellow wedge on a sandwich.

FAQ

Where does the cheese and wine tasting take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 55 minutes.

What is included in the price?

Food tasting, wine tasting, and cutlery are included.

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste five different cheeses. They are described as award-winning cheeses from 2024.

Which wines are served?

The tasting includes selected wines. Session descriptions include white wine, red wine, and Portuguese ruby Port, though the exact selection may 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.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You meet and finish at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, which is near public transportation.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of 26 travelers.

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 for a refund.