Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam

Cheese, wine, and a short lesson in Dutch culture. This 55-minute tasting at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store gives you five award-winning cheeses from 2024, paired with selected wines and explained by a friendly presenter. I like the clear focus on Dutch cheese making, and I like that the session helps you understand why a white, red, or port works with different cheeses. The main drawback is that it also promotes the store, so shoppers seeking a purely independent tasting may find the sales element noticeable.

At $32.65 per person, the price is fair if you enjoy food tastings and want a compact indoor activity near Dam Square. The setting suits a rainy afternoon, a solo visitor hoping to meet people, or anyone who wants a gentle introduction to Gouda, goat cheese, aging, and wine pairing without giving up half a day.

Key points to know before you book

• Five Dutch cheeses in one sitting: Expect a guided sample of cheeses with different ages, styles, and milk sources, including goat and cow cheeses.
• Three wine styles are commonly served: The tasting usually includes white wine, red wine, and ruby port, though the exact wines can vary.
• A short class, not just a snack: You learn about cheese production, aging, Dutch cheese culture, and the logic behind each pairing.
• Above the Old Amsterdam shop: The tasting room has presentation equipment and a more relaxed feel than a quick counter sample.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 26, with some sessions much smaller and more personal.
• A useful shopping bonus: A 10 percent cheese discount has been offered after the tasting, making the stop more valuable if you plan to take cheese home.

What happens at Damrak 62HS

You meet at the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store at Damrak 62HS, 1012 LM Amsterdam. This is a central address near public transportation, so you can fit the tasting into a day of sightseeing without arranging a separate ride.

The activity begins and ends at the shop. That simplicity matters in Amsterdam, where a short experience can easily become inconvenient if you must cross town for the return journey. Here, you arrive, settle in, taste, and step back onto Damrak when the session ends.

The store itself is the first part of the experience. You are not being taken to a farm or a village dairy, so this is not a behind-the-scenes production visit. Instead, you get a city-based introduction to Dutch cheese in the place where the product is sold and explained.

A tasting room above the shop provides more space for the presentation. It has been described as a pleasant room with a screen and an attractive design, which gives the session a little more structure than a sales clerk passing you cubes of cheese at street level.

Five cheeses and several stages of aging

The heart of the tasting is five cheeses, with each sample used to explain a different point about flavor and texture. The selection can include both goat and cow cheeses, and samples have been described as ranging from about four to 18 months old.

That age comparison is one of the most useful parts for a first-time cheese buyer. Young cheese tends to be softer and gentler, while older cheese develops a firmer texture and stronger flavor. You get to notice those changes side by side rather than trying to remember them from a shop label.

The session also introduces Gouda, one of the Netherlands’ best-known cheeses. The focus is not only on eating it, but on how milk source, production, and time affect the finished cheese. You may learn to tell goat cheese from cow cheese by its taste and texture, which is a small skill that can help when you shop later.

The cheeses are presented as award-winning selections from 2024. That sounds impressive, but the real value comes from the comparison. Five carefully chosen samples give you enough range to see how Dutch cheese changes without overwhelming a short 55-minute class.

One sample has sometimes been described as a chocolate cheese or dessert-style cheese. That is not a traditional savory choice, so it may appeal most to curious eaters who enjoy trying something unusual. If you prefer only classic cheese, this could be the least essential taste of the session.

Why the wine pairings matter

The wine is not there simply to make the tasting feel festive. The presenter explains how different wines affect the flavor of each cheese and why a certain match works better than another.

The tasting is commonly described as including a white wine, a red wine, and a Portuguese ruby port. Another account mentions two whites and one red, so the exact lineup may change. You should treat the published wine list as a guide rather than a fixed promise.

This variety gives the hour a useful shape. A crisp white can offer a lighter contrast to a younger cheese, while a red may suit a firmer, more mature sample. Port brings sweetness and weight, making it a natural partner for stronger cheese or a final dessert-style bite.

You do not need to know wine terms before arriving. The class is built for beginners, and the explanations focus on what you can taste. I like this practical approach because it turns pairing from a set of rules into a simple experiment: try the cheese alone, take a sip, and notice what changes.

If you already attend food-and-wine events often, the lesson may feel familiar. The attraction then is the Dutch focus and the chance to compare several Gouda styles in one sitting, not advanced wine training.

The presenter makes or breaks the hour

The strongest part of this experience is the human delivery. Presenters named in the feedback include Rick, Ron, Maria, and Luca, and the descriptions consistently point to friendly, lively instruction. Some sessions have included a small quiz, a booklet, or extra recommendations for things to do in Amsterdam.

That variety suggests that the exact personality and format can depend on who leads your session. The best guides make the hour feel like a conversation rather than a lecture. They explain cheese making in plain language, answer questions, and connect the tasting to Dutch culture.

Rick is praised for explaining both wine and cheese clearly. Maria is praised for her warm approach, while Luca is credited with giving a strong presentation and a well-designed setting. Ron is also described as engaging and good at making a group feel welcome.

For solo visitors, this format can work especially well. A tasting gives you an easy reason to talk with the people at your table, and one session included only a couple, allowing for very personal attention. At the other end, the maximum group size is 26, so you should not assume every sitting will feel intimate.

The group size is worth considering. A full room can still be enjoyable, but you may get less time for individual questions. If you prefer close attention, a quieter session would be the better outcome, though no particular departure can be guaranteed.

A promotional stop with real value

The honest way to describe this activity is as both a tasting and a shop introduction. You taste Old Amsterdam products in the same business that sells them, and you may receive a 10 percent discount on cheese afterward.

That sales connection is not automatically a problem. If you want to buy Dutch cheese for a picnic, hotel room, or trip home, the discount adds practical value. You can also ask the staff to help you choose a cheese based on what you liked during the tasting.

Still, you should know what you are booking. This is not a neutral survey of every Dutch cheese producer, and it is not a working dairy visit. The cheeses are connected to the Old Amsterdam brand and the store’s presentation. One assessment described it as a good introduction that also serves as a promotion, which is a fair reading.

At $32.65, the price makes the most sense if you count the teaching, wine, cutlery, five samples, and the convenience of a central location. It is not the cheapest way to taste cheese in Amsterdam, especially if you only want a few bites. It becomes better value if you want an organized explanation and plan to use the 10 percent shopping discount.

A smart rainy-day activity in central Amsterdam

Amsterdam has plenty of outdoor appeal, but weather can change quickly. This tasting gives you a warm, seated activity that lasts less than an hour, leaving the rest of your day open.

The short duration is a real strength. You can fit it between visits to nearby sights, use it as a break from walking, or schedule it before dinner. It is also long enough to feel like an actual activity rather than a quick sample at a shop counter.

I would avoid booking it as your only food experience in Amsterdam. Five pieces of cheese and several wine tastes make a good introduction, but they are not a full meal. Plan to eat before or after, especially if you have an early dinner reservation.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. The minimum drinking age is 18. Service animals are allowed, most people can participate, and the location is near public transportation.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

This experience suits you if you enjoy learning through food. You will get the most from it if you are curious about the difference between young and old cheese, want to understand goat and cow milk cheeses, or enjoy comparing wine pairings.

It is also a good choice for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed indoor date activity
• Solo visitors who would like a social setting
• Friends who want a light cultural activity
• First-time visitors seeking an introduction to Dutch cheese
• Food lovers who plan to buy cheese afterward
• Anyone with only an hour to spare

It may not suit you if you dislike wine, want a full meal, or expect a farm visit. It may also feel too basic if you already know a great deal about Gouda and wine pairing.

The tasting can work for groups of friends, too. One group of nine enjoyed the social side and found the guide both engaging and well informed. Just remember that the official maximum is 26 people, so the atmosphere can range from intimate to fairly busy.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

The experience is often booked about 14 days ahead, which gives you a useful planning guide. Popular Amsterdam time slots can fill, especially during busy travel periods, so I would reserve before your sightseeing plan is locked in.

You receive a mobile ticket, and there is no need to arrange private transportation. The meeting point is also the end point, making this a low-effort activity to add to your itinerary.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, so keep your schedule firm once the deadline approaches.

Should you book the Old Amsterdam tasting?

I would book it if you want a compact, friendly lesson in Dutch cheese with enough wine to make the pairings meaningful. The 4.7 out of 5 rating from 135 reviews and 93 percent recommendation rate fit the experience’s main strengths: tasty cheese, personable presenters, a pleasant room, and clear explanations.

I would skip it if you are seeking a farm-to-table visit, a large meal, or a completely independent tasting. The shop connection is clear, and the lesson is introductory rather than advanced.

For most food-loving visitors, this is a good use of 55 minutes. Go in expecting five cheeses, several wine styles, simple explanations, and a chance to shop afterward. If that sounds like your kind of Amsterdam break, the price is reasonable and the central location makes the choice easy.

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.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 55 minutes.

How many cheeses are included?

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

Which wines are served?

The tasting commonly includes white wine, red wine, and Portuguese ruby port. The exact selection can vary, and some descriptions mention more than one white wine.

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.

How many people can attend?

The maximum group size is 26 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.