Cheese and wine meet in a cozy Amsterdam tasting room. This 45-minute session focuses on Dutch Gouda in a simple, hands-on way, with palate-clearing bites and pairing advice you can actually use. You also hear the story behind Old Amsterdam cheese and how it fits into the work of Westland Kaasspecialiteiten.

I like that you get a proper comparison of multiple Gouda styles, not just one slice and a shrug. I also love the pacing, because you taste in small steps, sip the matching wines, and get fig bread and water to reset your palate between rounds. The host does the heavy lifting by explaining what to notice while you eat.

One thing to plan around: the tasting room is on the 1st floor and is stairs-only, so this is not a good match if you have mobility limits. Also, the wine is for age 18 and up.

Key highlights to look for

• Five Gouda cheeses sampled in one focused tasting board
• Three wine pairings (red, white, and port) matched to each cheese
• Old Amsterdam spotlight, including the Westland Kaasspecialiteiten connection
• Palate reset with fig bread and water between tastings
• Small-room energy, with a cozy, private setup upstairs from the shop
• 20% discount on extra cheese shopping downstairs after your session

Old Amsterdam cheese tasting with wine, where the flavors do the talking

This experience is all about a straightforward idea: Dutch cheese is more than one flavor. In about 45 minutes, you move through several Gouda options and learn what changes the taste, like aging and how the cheese is made in the Netherlands.

The session takes place at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, with the tasting room upstairs. That matters, because you’re not cramming this between crowded city stops. It feels like a mini break from Amsterdam, with time to taste, ask questions, and get a little off-menu education from the people running the program.

Another practical win, especially in busy months, is the room setup. Several people note it’s a cozy, private tasting space that can be a relief when the weather turns. And because it’s right at the cheese shop, you can jump from learning to buying without needing a second plan.

What you’ll taste: five Gouda cheeses plus Old Amsterdam

Your tasting board includes five different Gouda cheeses, and that’s the heart of the value. Gouda is often treated as a single thing on a menu, but here you get to feel the range: different ages, different textures, and different flavor directions.

Old Amsterdam gets its own spotlight. You’ll learn about Old Amsterdam cheese and how it connects to Westland Kaasspecialiteiten, a historic, family-run business. You won’t be handed a full recipe secret, but you do pick up hints about the company, the cheese making, and the brand differences as you taste.

In practice, the tasting feels like a guided comparison. You start with one style, then you see how the next one changes as you move through the rounds. That’s useful even if you’re not a cheese expert, because it gives you a quick mental map for what to look for later in the shop.

Portion size is also worth knowing. Some people say the pieces are small, but still enough to learn the differences across five cheeses. It’s not a meal, but it’s designed to train your palate, not fill your stomach.

The wine pairings, red, white, and port that actually make sense

The wines are not an afterthought here. You get three wines specifically paired with what’s on your cheese board: one red, one white, and one port wine. A sommelier helps pick what complements each cheese, and the instructor ties the wine choices to the flavor you’re tasting.

This is one of the most praised parts of the experience because good pairing turns a “tastes good” moment into a “now I get why” moment. For example, when you sip the right wine after the cheese, flavors can feel sharper or smoother, depending on the match. You also get reminders on palate cleansing, which matters more than people think.

Between tastings you’ll have fig bread and water. That helps you reset so the next cheese isn’t just fighting the memory of the previous one. If you’ve ever tasted cheese in a shop and felt like everything merged into one big blur, you’ll appreciate the structure here.

If you like wine, this session is a fun way to learn pairing logic without needing a wine degree. If you don’t, you still benefit from the guidance because it teaches what to notice in cheese flavor and texture.

The Dutch cheese story, aging, and cow vs goat explained simply

Cheese in the Netherlands isn’t just a product, it’s a craft. The session includes an explanation of the cheese-making traditions, and you learn about the process behind the cheeses as you taste. People also mention learning about the aging process and the differences between cow and goat options.

That education is practical. Instead of memorizing facts, you start noticing what those facts mean in your mouth. Aging often changes aroma intensity and texture, and when someone points out what to look for, the tasting becomes way more meaningful.

You’ll also hear some background on Old Amsterdam itself and the business behind it, Westland Kaasspecialiteiten. Even when the recipes remain a family secret, the story gives context for why the cheese tastes the way it does and why the brand matters.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to understand what you’re eating, this is a satisfying stop. If you’re less into explanations, the format still works because the tasting keeps moving and the room stays focused.

Who runs it: hosts like Aris, Rik, Ari, Roberta, Ron, and Maria

The energy of the host can make or break a short tasting. In the feedback for this experience, names like Aris, Rik, Ari, Roberta, Ron, and Maria show up repeatedly as standout guides. The common thread is that they’re fun, engaging, and ready to answer questions.

People also mention hosts being funny in a way that still keeps things organized, and they check in with the group so you don’t feel lost. That matters when you have a mix of food lovers, casual snackers, and a few people who are just trying something new.

In a 45-minute format, you need a guide who can explain without dragging it out. The best part is that you’re not only listening. You’re tasting while you learn, so every explanation has an immediate result.

Timing, pace, and the stairs-only reality

This is a compact experience at 45 minutes. That’s perfect for a day in Amsterdam because it doesn’t swallow your whole afternoon. It also means you should arrive ready to taste, not start your trip with a late coffee and a vague, I’ll pay attention later mood.

It’s also worth planning for the physical layout. The cheese tasting room is on the 1st floor and is accessible only by stairs. If stairs are a problem for you, you’ll want to choose another Amsterdam activity that’s easier to access.

On the positive side, the room is small and focused. One reviewer notes the group is often more intimate, even though the space can host up to around 18 people. That size helps the host keep the session lively and lets you ask questions without shouting over a stadium crowd.

Price and value: what $23 buys you in Amsterdam

At $23 per person, this tasting can feel like a small splurge, until you break down what’s included. You’re not just paying for five cheese samples and a sip of wine.

Your package includes:

• an instructor for the tasting session
• five Gouda cheeses
• three wines (red, white, and port)
• fig bread and water
• and a 20% discount in the shop downstairs

Here’s the simple way to think about value. Cheese is expensive in tourist-friendly markets, and pairing at a shop is usually more casual than guided. This experience packages the education and the pairings into the same ticket price. Plus, the discount makes it easy to turn learning into an actual take-home purchase.

If you’re the sort of traveler who buys cheese anyway, this is even better value, because you’re already in the right place to choose what to take home. Even if you’re not buying a lot, you still get the wine and pairing guidance, which is often the part people feel they paid too little for.

How to get the most out of your tasting

You’ll have the best time if you approach it like a mini tasting workshop. Here are a few things you can do that make a real difference:

1) Taste in order and pay attention to change, not just overall flavor

Five cheeses sounds like a lot, but the structure helps. If you jump ahead mentally, you’ll miss the point of the comparison.

2) Use the palate cleansers

Fig bread and water are part of the design. If you skip them, you’ll taste last cheese longer than you should.

3) Ask what to buy based on what you liked

Because the store is right downstairs, your best move is to remember what surprised you and use it as a buying filter. The 20% discount makes the decision less painful.

4) Plan for wine if you want it, and still enjoy it without overdoing it

There’s a clear alcohol rule: the minimum age to drink alcohol is 18. If you’re under that age, you’ll want to double-check what the experience offers, since alcohol is built into the pairing. For adults, pace yourself. This is a short session, and you’ll get more out of it if your palate stays sharp.

Should you book this Amsterdam cheese and wine tasting?

Book it if you want:

• an easy, focused Amsterdam food experience that doesn’t require a long time commitment
• a guided look at why Dutch Gouda tastes different from one sample to the next
• wine pairings that are part of the point, not an extra
• a built-in shopping incentive thanks to the 20% discount

Skip it if:

• stairs are a dealbreaker for you, since the tasting room is only accessible by stairs
• you’re only interested in cheese tasting with no wine angle at all
• you want a big, full meal experience rather than a guided tasting

If you’re deciding between wandering the shop and doing something structured, I think the tasting is the better use of time. You get more than just purchases. You get a quick education you can carry home, so your next cheese board makes sense on your terms, not just your curiosity.

FAQ

How long is the Amsterdam Dutch cheese tasting with wine?

The experience lasts 45 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tasting?

Meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store.

What cheeses and wine are included?

You’ll taste 5 different Gouda cheeses and receive 3 wines: 1 red, 1 white, and 1 port wine. You also get fig bread and water.

What is the price?

The price is $23 per person.

Is there a discount for buying cheese after the tasting?

Yes. You receive a 20% discount in the shop downstairs.

Is alcohol included, and what is the minimum age?

Alcohol is included with the tasting. The minimum age to drink alcohol is 18 years old.

Is the tasting room accessible if I have mobility issues?

The cheese tasting room is on the 1st floor and is accessible only by stairs, so it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes, there is free cancellation, with a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance.