Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s Old Amsterdam Cheese Store tasting turns a familiar Dutch food into a short, guided lesson. Upstairs, you sample five cheeses, compare different ages and milk types, and try them with selected wines. The session also touches on cheese making, Dutch traditions, and the story behind Old Amsterdam.

I like the clear one-hour format and the chance to taste five cheeses with three wines rather than simply nibbling a few cubes in a shop. I also like the friendly teaching style, with guides including Ron, Rick, Maria, and Luca praised for making the material easy to follow. The main drawback is that this is held in a cheese store, so part of the experience also serves as a promotion for the business, and the cheese selection stays focused on traditional styles rather than flavored varieties.

Key points before you book

• Five cheeses in one sitting: Expect a guided tasting of award-winning cheeses, including goat and cow’s milk examples at different ages.
• Three wine styles: The pairing may include a white wine, a red blend, and Portuguese ruby Port.
• A lesson, not just a snack: You learn about milk type, aging, production, Dutch cheese making, and why certain wines suit particular cheeses.
• Upstairs tasting room: The experience begins at Damrak 62HS, above the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, and returns to that same location.
• Small enough for conversation: The group can hold up to 26 people, though some sessions may feel much smaller.
• Useful for cheese shoppers: A cheese discount has been offered after some tastings, and you can buy products in the store afterward.

Five cheeses, three wines, and a short lesson

The heart of this experience is simple: you sit down, receive a series of cheese samples, and taste them alongside wine while the presenter explains what you are eating. The session lasts about 55 minutes, so it fits neatly into a morning or afternoon in central Amsterdam.

The cheese selection focuses on Dutch Gouda-style cheeses and may include both goat and cow’s milk varieties. The examples described by attendees range from about four to 18 months of age. That gives you a useful comparison. Young cheese tends to offer a softer, milder impression, while older cheese brings more firmness and stronger flavor.

You may also receive a small sweet or dessert-style cheese sample. One tasting included chocolate cheese, which adds a playful finish to an otherwise traditional selection. The exact cheeses can vary, and one useful improvement would be a printed list naming every cheese and wine served. Some sessions have included a booklet, but you should not assume one will always be provided.

The wine side is broad enough to show how pairings change. Expect a white wine, a red wine, and Port, with some descriptions noting a French white, a red blend, and Portuguese ruby Port. A few attendees also described two whites and one red, so the exact lineup may not be identical every time.

That variety matters. A lighter wine can show one side of a younger cheese, while red wine may suit a firmer, more aged sample. Port gives you a sweeter contrast and works especially well as the tasting moves toward its final cheese. The point is not to find one perfect match. It is to notice how the same cheese changes when you change the drink.

Inside the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store

The meeting point is Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam, an easy central address near public transportation. You do not need private transport, since the tasting takes place at the shop and finishes there.

The store itself is part of the experience. You enter a retail cheese business, then go upstairs to a room set aside for tastings. Reports describe a presentation screen and a room arranged for a personal, educational session rather than a large banquet.

That setting has two sides. On the positive side, the shop gives the tasting a direct connection to the food. You are not sampling anonymous products in a hotel meeting room. The cheeses are part of the business, and you can buy some to take home after the session.

On the other hand, this is not an independent tour of Amsterdam’s entire cheese culture. The focus is strongly tied to Old Amsterdam products and traditional Gouda-style cheese. If you want a broad survey of small Dutch producers, unusual local foods, or a market tour, this will feel limited.

The room can hold a maximum of 26 people. That is not a private tasting, but it is still a manageable size for a 55-minute presentation. Some sessions have been particularly small, including one described as just a couple, while others bring together several couples or a group of friends.

How the teaching works

The best part of the session is the explanation. You are not simply handed five pieces of cheese and left to guess what makes them different. The presenter discusses how cheese is made, how it matures, and how to tell goat’s milk from cow’s milk.

Guides named in the feedback include Ron, Rick, Maria, and Luca. The individual presenter can shape the experience, but the recurring pattern is a friendly, informal style with room for questions. Ron was praised for being engaging with a group of nine friends, while Maria was singled out for making a solo visitor feel comfortable. Rick received praise for explaining both the cheese and the wine clearly, and Luca was noted for his command of the tasting.

You should expect a presentation rather than a hands-on cheese-making class. You will learn about production and aging, but you will not be making a wheel of cheese yourself. That distinction matters if you are comparing this with a farm visit or a full culinary workshop.

The guide also explains why a wine works with a certain cheese. This is the useful part to carry into future meals. You learn to pay attention to age, texture, saltiness, milk type, and sweetness instead of treating pairing as a fixed set of rules.

Some sessions have included a short quiz at the end, with a small prize for the winner. That adds a light social touch without turning the tasting into a formal class. The guide may also suggest other things to do in Amsterdam, though the main focus remains cheese and wine.

What the itinerary feels like from start to finish

There is only one stop, the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, but the hour has a clear progression.

You arrive at the Damrak address and make your way to the upstairs tasting space. The room gives you a break from sightseeing and puts you in a setting designed for sitting, listening, and sampling.

The guide then introduces the cheese and the basic story of Dutch cheese production. Expect an explanation of the Old Amsterdam brand and the background of Gouda cheese making in the Amsterdam area. The presentation may also touch on the founders of Old Amsterdam.

Next comes the tasting itself. Five cheeses are placed before you, and the guide works through them one at a time. You compare milk types and ages, then try the cheeses with the wines. This is where the session becomes more useful than a standard shop sample, because you can immediately compare the effect of the wine.

The tasting generally includes white, red, and Port wines. You are shown how the pairings complement each other, rather than being told that every cheese goes with every drink. The presenter remains available for questions throughout.

The session ends back at the store. You may have the option to purchase cheese, and some tastings have included a 10 percent discount afterward. That can make sense if you want to bring Dutch cheese home, though the tasting is still worthwhile even if you do not plan to shop.

Is $32.65 good value?

At $32.65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat cheese in Amsterdam. You can buy cheese and wine for less at a market or shop. The price makes more sense if you value the explanation, the guided pairings, and the chance to compare several cheeses in a structured setting.

You are paying for five cheese samples, wine tasting, cutlery, a presenter, and the use of the upstairs room. You also save yourself the guesswork of choosing products and pairings. For a first introduction to Dutch cheese, that is a fair exchange.

The value improves if you use the lesson afterward. Once you understand the difference between younger and older cheese, or goat and cow’s milk cheese, shopping becomes more interesting. The possible 10 percent store discount can also soften the cost if you planned to buy cheese anyway.

The value is weaker for experienced food enthusiasts who already understand wine pairing and have sampled a wide range of Gouda. You may find the focus narrow, especially if you prefer blue cheese, flavored cheese, soft cheese, or products from many different Dutch regions.

I would also keep the timing in mind. A 55-minute session is useful when you have a packed sightseeing plan, but it is not a long meal. The samples are intended for tasting and education, not as a replacement for lunch.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for anyone who likes food with a story. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and anyone looking for a calm indoor activity on a rainy day. The social setup can also work well if you want to meet people without committing to a long group tour.

It is especially good for first-time visitors who want a simple introduction to Dutch cheese. You leave with a better sense of what you are tasting and why Dutch cheese is often aged and sold in several stages.

Wine drinkers will appreciate the comparison between white, red, and Port. Cheese lovers will enjoy the range of ages and milk types. The combination makes the hour more balanced than a cheese-only sample session.

Families need to note the age rule: the minimum drinking age is 18. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but the supplied information does not specify details such as step-free access or special dietary substitutions. If those points matter to you, ask the provider before booking.

This is less suited to someone looking for a full meal, a visit to a working dairy, or a tour covering many independent producers. It is also not the best choice if you dislike retail tie-ins. The store connection is clear, and the tasting naturally encourages you to buy cheese afterward.

Practical details that make the hour easier

Your mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation arrives when you book. The activity is offered in English, which suits visitors who want the explanations without a language barrier.

Plan to arrive at the Damrak address with enough time to locate the store. The tasting finishes at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a pickup or find your way to another part of the city afterward.

The activity is usually booked about 14 days ahead. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a useful reason to reserve earlier if your Amsterdam schedule is fixed.

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 session do not qualify for a refund, and the cut-off uses Amsterdam local time.

My final take on the cheese and wine tasting

I would book this if you want a compact, friendly introduction to Dutch cheese and enjoy learning while you eat. The strongest features are the five-cheese comparison, the three wine styles, and the clear explanations of aging, milk type, and pairing.

I would skip it if you want a farm visit, a full meal, or a wide survey of artisan Dutch producers. The experience is closely linked to the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, and the tasting doubles as a way to introduce you to products sold there.

For most food-loving visitors, $32.65 is reasonable for a well-organized hour in central Amsterdam. Go with an open mind, pay attention to how the cheese changes with each wine, and leave time to browse the shop afterward.

FAQ

How long does the cheese and wine tasting last?

The experience lasts approximately 55 minutes.

Where does the tasting begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The tasting ends back at the meeting point at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store.

How many cheeses will I taste?

You will taste five different cheeses. The selection may include goat and cow’s milk cheeses at different stages of aging.

How many wines are included?

The tasting includes wine sampling, generally featuring a white wine, a red wine, and Port. The exact wines can vary.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a 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.