Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s cheese culture gets a tidy, tasty introduction at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, where you taste five Dutch cheeses alongside selected wines. The short session covers cheese making, aging, milk types, local traditions, and the small decisions that make a pairing work.

I like the clear one-hour format and the chance to compare younger and older cheeses side by side. I also like the friendly teaching style, with hosts such as Ron, Rick, Maria, and Luca adding humor and practical advice rather than simply passing plates around.

The main thing to consider is that this is held in a cheese shop and naturally promotes its products. If you want a broad survey of Dutch food beyond cheese, or a serious wine seminar, this may feel limited.

Key points at a glance

• Five cheeses in one sitting: Expect a guided tasting of five award-winning cheeses, often including goat and cow varieties at different ages.
• Three useful wine matches: The tasting commonly pairs the cheese with a white, a red, and a port, though the exact selection can vary.
• A lesson, not just a snack: You’ll learn how milk type, aging, and production affect taste and texture.
• Central Damrak location: The session begins and ends at Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, Damrak 62HS.
• Small-group setting: The maximum group size is 26, with some sessions much smaller.
• Good rainy-day plan: At roughly 55 minutes, it fits neatly between Amsterdam sights, shopping, and dinner.

Five Dutch cheeses, three wines, and a quick lesson

The heart of this experience is simple: taste several cheeses, try them with wine, and learn why some combinations work better than others. That basic structure is more useful than it sounds. Many visitors know they like cheese and wine, but fewer can explain why a young cheese suits a crisp white while an older, stronger cheese may need a fuller red or sweet port.

The tasting focuses on Dutch cheese, especially Gouda-style cheeses. The selection has included two goat cheeses and three cow’s milk cheeses, with ages ranging from about four to eighteen months. That gives you a helpful comparison. A younger cheese tends to show a softer, milkier character, while longer aging brings a firmer texture and stronger flavor.

You may also learn how to tell goat’s milk cheese from cow’s milk cheese. This is not a technical sommelier course, but it gives your palate a useful starting point. The presenter explains what you are tasting, then helps you notice the difference for yourself.

The cheese lineup is described as five award-winning cheeses from 2024. Specific names are not always provided in advance, so you should not book this expecting a fixed menu. That lack of a printed lineup is a small weakness, especially for anyone with a food interest who wants to research the cheeses later.

Inside the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store on Damrak

The meeting point is Damrak 62HS, a very central address in Amsterdam. You enter the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, then head to the tasting area, which is upstairs. The room has been described as a dedicated space with a presentation screen and details designed around the cheese theme.

The location makes this easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer, and the activity ends where it begins. That matters in Amsterdam, where a short experience is most useful when you can walk or use nearby public transport to reach it.

The shop setting also shapes the experience. You are surrounded by cheese before and after the tasting, and you can buy products to take home. A 10 percent cheese discount has been offered after the session, which adds some value if you already plan to bring Dutch cheese home.

Still, keep your expectations straight. This is not a farm visit or a production tour. You will learn about how cheese is made and aged, but the setting is a retail store with a tasting room. The commercial side is part of the experience, not something to ignore.

How the 55-minute tasting unfolds

The session lasts about 55 minutes, though some descriptions call it roughly an hour. The presenter introduces the cheeses and wines, then guides you through the samples in an order that helps you compare them.

You usually receive five cheese portions and several wine samples. The most frequently described combination is one white wine, one red wine, and one port. Another account mentions two white wines and one red, so the exact lineup may change. The wines come from different parts of Europe rather than being limited to Dutch bottles.

The tasting is not simply five bites followed by five drinks. The host explains which wine works with each cheese and why. You might be asked to taste the cheese alone, take a sip of wine, and then try the two together. That simple process helps you notice how sweetness, acidity, tannin, and weight affect the cheese.

Some sessions include a small booklet with information about the cheeses. A quiz has also been used at the end, with a small prize for the winner. These details may not appear every time, so think of them as possible extras rather than guaranteed features.

One tasting has included a dessert-style chocolate cheese. Again, this is not something I would count on as part of every booking, but it shows that the selection can include a playful finish.

The guides make the difference

The strongest part of the experience is the presenter. A cheese tasting can become dull if someone simply reads out product descriptions. Here, the hosts are repeatedly described as warm, funny, and easy to follow.

Ron has led sessions for groups of friends and is praised for making the presentation engaging. Rick has been noted for his clear explanations of both wine and cheese, along with the story of Old Amsterdam. Maria has been described as a lively guide, especially good at explaining cheese making. Luca has also received praise for his grasp of the subject and the attractive setting.

You should not assume that one particular host will lead your session unless the booking specifically confirms it. The useful point is that the format depends on a live presenter who answers questions and offers recommendations.

That personal element also helps solo visitors. You sit with other people, taste together, and have an easy subject for conversation. One solo visitor found it a pleasant way to meet people, while groups of friends have used it as a relaxed activity near the end of an Amsterdam stay.

What you learn about Dutch cheese

The educational content is practical rather than academic. You hear about the history of Gouda cheese making in the Amsterdam area, the founders of Old Amsterdam, and the basic process behind cheese production.

The most useful lesson is aging. Four-month-old and eighteen-month-old cheeses do not taste or feel the same, even when they come from a similar tradition. The presenter shows how the texture changes and how the flavor becomes more pronounced over time.

You also learn about the difference between goat and cow cheese. That comparison is especially useful if you usually choose cheese by appearance or price. The session gives you a few simple ways to pay attention to aroma, texture, and aftertaste.

The focus remains traditional. If you are hoping for a large range of flavored cheeses with herbs, spices, or fruit, you may find the selection conservative. The point here is to show the character of aged Dutch cheese, not to present every modern variation.

Is $32.65 good value?

At $32.65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat cheese in Amsterdam. You could buy a few pieces from a shop for less. The value comes from the guided comparison, the wine, the presentation, and the chance to ask questions.

For about 55 minutes, you receive five cheeses and several wines, plus an introduction to how the products are made and matched. If you already enjoy food tastings, that is a fair price for a compact activity in a central location.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors to the Netherlands who want context with their food. You are not just sampling Gouda. You are learning why one cheese tastes mild, another nutty, and another more intense. You also get ideas for buying cheese later in the trip.

The value is weaker if you are a serious cheese collector who already knows Dutch varieties, or if you dislike retail tastings. You may feel that the shop benefits from your visit, especially if the experience encourages you to buy afterward. That does not make the tasting poor, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Group size, timing, and practical details

The maximum group size is 26 people. That is not an intimate private tasting, but it is still a manageable number for a presenter in a dedicated room. Some sessions have been much smaller, including a couple who received very personal attention.

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives when you book. You must be at least 18 to drink, and the experience allows service animals. It is near public transportation, and most people can take part.

Because the activity ends at the same place it starts, allow a little extra time if you want to shop afterward. The store is part of the experience, and buying cheese is an obvious way to extend the visit.

Book at least several days ahead if your schedule is fixed. The experience is often reserved around two weeks in advance, so a last-minute place is possible but not guaranteed. The busiest periods may fill faster.

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

Who should book this tasting?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy food, want a low-effort cultural activity, or need a plan for a rainy afternoon. It works well for couples, small groups of friends, solo visitors, and anyone who wants to learn a little before shopping for Dutch cheese.

It is also a good choice near the start of a trip. The lesson gives you a better sense of what to look for in cheese shops during the rest of your stay. By the end, you may be able to identify your preferred age and milk type instead of simply choosing the package with the most attractive label.

Families should note the drinking-age rule. The activity is built around wine, so it is not the best match for a group that cannot or does not want to drink alcohol.

I would skip it if your schedule is extremely tight and you only want major Amsterdam sights, or if you expect a full meal. The portions are for tasting, not lunch. You will still need to eat afterward.

Final verdict: a smart hour for cheese lovers

Book this if you want a friendly introduction to Dutch cheese, useful wine-pairing advice, and a central activity that takes less than an hour. The best features are the five-cheese comparison, the white, red, and port pairings, and the presenters who make the lesson lively.

Go in knowing that the experience takes place in a shop and may encourage you to buy cheese. The menu and wine selection can vary, and the session is not a deep study of Dutch food. For most visitors, though, the combination of tasting, history, and practical guidance makes the $32.65 price reasonable.

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. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tasting last?

The tasting lasts approximately 55 minutes, or about one hour.

How many cheeses and wines will I taste?

You will taste five cheeses. The wine selection commonly includes a white wine, a red wine, and a port, although the exact wines can vary.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Do I need to be 18 to take part?

You must be at least 18 years old to drink the wine.

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.