Cheese and wine in Amsterdam can be surprisingly fun. This one takes you into the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak for a 55-minute tasting lesson built around five award-winning cheeses (2024) paired with wines—white, red, and port—served with a guide who keeps things clear and chatty.

I love the direct “taste, compare, and learn” format. You get to practice spotting differences like goat versus cow and younger versus aged flavors while the guide (names like Maria and Luca come up) answers questions and suggests what to buy. One thing to note: it’s a short, shop-based session, so it can feel a bit like a promotion even when the pairing is excellent.

Key highlights worth circling

• Five cheeses paired with three wines (including port) in one tight session
• Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak as your easy, central starting point
• Goat vs cow and aging comparisons that help your palate learn fast
• Cutlery included, so you can focus on tasting instead of logistics
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 26 people

Cheese and Wine Tasting in Amsterdam: The Flavor Lesson Behind the Fun

Amsterdam has plenty of food walks and canal snacks. This experience is different because it teaches you how to taste, not just what to taste. In under an hour, you’ll sample five Dutch cheeses and match them with three wines, then learn why those combos work.

The point isn’t to turn you into a judge. It’s to help your brain connect aroma, texture, and flavor. That’s what makes it useful even after the tour ends—next time you’re staring at a cheese counter (maybe in Amsterdam, maybe at home), you’ll have a system.

And yes, it’s also just delicious. The guide portion keeps it from feeling like you’re eating in silence, and the shop setting makes it easy to keep exploring afterward—especially if you spot a cheese you really like.

Damrak Meeting Point: Finding Old Amsterdam and Settling In

Your start is Damrak 62HS (1012 LM). This is a practical launchpad because it’s close to public transport and easy to reach without a whole production. You’re not dealing with a bus ride or a far-flung meeting in the middle of nowhere. You show up, get seated, taste, and you’re done.

The experience happens at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store. More than one guest has described the setup as a dedicated upstairs learning space above the shop, with a screen and a live presenter. That matters. It means the session is designed for explaining, not just handing you cheese and walking away.

Plan to arrive a few minutes early. Not because you need to rush, but because the group moves together and you’ll get the best pacing when you’re settled before tasting begins.

What You Taste: Five 2024 Award-Winning Cheeses and Three Wine Pairings

The tasting centers on five award-winning cheeses from 2024. You’ll learn what makes each one distinct, and you’ll sample them in combination with specially selected wines.

From the details shared, the cheese lineup often includes a mix of:

• Gouda-style options (including goat and cow)
• Different aging ranges—one common pairing setup mentioned spans about 4 to 18 months
• A tasting plan that helps you notice how age changes flavor and texture

That goat versus cow contrast is one of the most useful takeaways. Goat tends to bring a tangier, more pronounced character. Cow can feel smoother or richer depending on age. When you taste them side by side, the differences stop being abstract.

On the wine side, you can expect a straightforward trio:

• White wine
• Red wine
• Portuguese port

This trio is smart because it covers the main “modes” of pairing. White tends to work well with fresher, lighter cheeses. Red often supports nuttier or more savory notes. Port is sweet and fortified, which can balance saltiness and add a dessert-like finish when the session ends.

In real life terms: you’re getting a crash course in pairing logic, not just a random sampling.

A small note on variety

A few people have wanted different flavored styles. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong—just that the selection is built around traditional Dutch cheese storytelling (and the idea of maturing and making), not trendy flavored cheese. If you expect a rainbow of spicy cheeses, manage your expectations.

How the Guide Makes Pairing Click (Without Making It Weird)

The best part of this kind of tasting is when the guide turns your senses into a simple checklist. In this session, you’re guided through what you’re tasting, how it’s made, and why the wine pairing is chosen.

People have described the presenting style as friendly and engaging. One recurring theme is that the guide explains what to look for—like how to tell goat from cow and how aging affects the final bite. Another recurring detail: the guide can answer questions and even steer you toward additional food and wine ideas around Amsterdam.

You might also receive a small booklet or be offered a mini quiz at the end in some sessions, with a prize for the winner. That’s not the main reason to book, but it’s a fun way to keep your attention during the final moments.

Practical takeaway you can use later

Here’s what you should carry home from a good tasting like this: you start tasting in a more deliberate order. You’re not just grabbing the next bite; you’re comparing notes like sweetness vs salt, creaminess vs firmness, and fresh vs aged. That’s how pairing stops being luck.

And if you’re the type who usually says, I like it or I don’t like it—this format gives you language for why.

55 Minutes, Up to 26 People: The Right Pace for a Food Break

The experience runs about 55 minutes. That’s an excellent length for Amsterdam. You get enough time to learn something and enjoy several tastings without committing your whole afternoon.

Group size is capped at 26. In practice, that often feels small enough for questions, but big enough that you’re not waiting around for one person to catch up. Several people described the vibe as relaxed and intimate, including when they were with a small group.

Because it’s not a long meal, timing matters more than usual. If you’re already hungry (or you plan to snack right before), go easy on heavy food. You want cheese and wine to taste like the star, not like an afterthought.

Also, it’s 18+ for drinking. Bring ID if there’s any chance you’ll be asked.

Price and Value: Is $32.65 Worth It?

At $32.65 per person, you’re paying for more than cheese. You’re paying for:

• Five tasting portions of selected cheeses
• Three wine tastings
• A guide-led pairing explanation
• Cutlery included
• A setting built for learning and tasting

This is where the math usually works in your favor. In Amsterdam, you can spend far more than that for a sit-down drink plus a random cheese board, without getting the pairing lesson. Here, the instruction helps you get more value from what you taste, which means the experience doesn’t end when you leave the shop.

One added value point from the session itself: some guests mention a 10% discount on cheese at the end. If that’s offered during your time slot, it’s a practical benefit. You can buy something you actually understand instead of guessing.

What’s not included: private transportation. That’s normal here because the location is in the city center and easy to handle by foot or tram/metro. If you’re already sightseeing nearby, you won’t feel any pinch.

Where This Tasting Fits in Your Amsterdam Plan

This is a great option when:

• You want a rainy-day activity that doesn’t rely on walking for hours
• You’re a couple looking for something different than museums
• You travel solo and want a social, guided experience (even if you keep it low-key)
• You like food tours but want one that teaches palate skills

It’s also a solid “end of trip” choice. You’ll taste cheeses and wines, then you can shop with confidence. If you’re the type who always brings back food souvenirs, this session gives you better odds of choosing well.

Who might want to skip it

You might skip this if:

• Cheese and wine are not your thing
• You want a long dinner-style experience with multiple courses
• You’re looking for a very large variety of adventurous flavored cheeses

This tasting is focused and traditional. It’s built to explain pairing, not to serve a buffet of wild flavors.

Tips Before You Go (Small Moves That Improve the Hour)

A few practical notes will help you get the most out of the session:

• Arrive ready to taste. If you’ve already eaten a big meal, flavors can feel muted.
• Treat it like a comparison lesson. Sip water between wines if offered, and don’t rush through the cheese.
• Ask questions early. The guide can answer stuff during the session, and your curiosity tends to land better when you’re not halfway done.
• Plan your cheese shopping afterward. The shop is right there, and the experience format encourages you to buy what you liked.
• Bring ID. Since the minimum drinking age is 18, it’s smart to have it on hand.

Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation. So the practical side is easy.

Should You Book This Cheese and Wine Tasting at Old Amsterdam?

If you like cheese, and you want a fast way to learn how to taste and pair instead of just eating, I’d book it. The value is strong because you’re getting five cheeses plus a trio of wines with guidance that helps you make sense of the differences.

I’d skip it only if you hate cheese or wine, or if you expect a long, meal-style adventure. Otherwise, it’s one of those Amsterdam experiences that’s small enough to fit any schedule and clear enough to make you feel smarter about food by the time you walk out the door.

FAQ

How long is the cheese and wine tasting?

It lasts about 55 minutes.

Where does the tasting start in Amsterdam?

The meeting point is Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam.

What is included in the price?

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

Are the tours in English?

Yes, the tasting is offered in English.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 26 travelers.

Is transportation included?

Private transportation is not included.