Wine and cheese is a genuinely iconic duo that can make or break a charcuterie board or wine and cheese tasting. When paired together, they can develop a burst of flavor that is simply one of a kind.
Cheeses vary in terms of flavor, texture, moisture, and fat content, just like wines vary in terms of structure, body, acidity, and sweetness. This often makes it challenging to match wine with cheese to create a satisfying pairing.
If you’re wondering what cheese goes with wine, here you’ll find all the answers you’re looking for. Check out our favorite pairings in the wine and cheese pairing guide below and master the art of wine-cheese pairing.
1. Pinot Noir and Gruyere
Gruyere is a medium-firm cheese that goes with red wine, especially light-bodied wine like Pinot Noir. The aromatic red berry fruit flavor of wine matches really well with the nutty notes found in the cheese.
This cheese-wine pairing creates a truly divine combo, as both elements have just enough complexity in them. As such, they will enhance each other’s tastes and not overpower them.
Alternative cheese and wine pairings: Gamay Noir and Comté, Zweigelt and Emmental, or Beaujolais and Jarlsberg.
2. Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is the best cheese for wine when it comes to crisp white wine, like classic Sauvignon Blanc. While the goat cheese is fairly tart and earthy in flavor, the citrus notes found in the wine bring out its nutty and herbal taste.
The acidity of Sauvignon Blanc also helps cut through the richness of the cheese, which makes it truly the best wine to pair with cheese like this.
Similar cheese pairings with wine: Chablis and Cremont, Chenin Blanc and Chèvre, or Grüner Veltliner and Florette.
3. Champagne and Brie
As triple-cream cheeses like Brie feature a soft texture, they call for something sharp and highly acidic to counterbalance their fattiness. That’s why Champagne is the best wine to go with cheese like Brie.
This sparkling wine pairing with cheese combines contrasting Brie’s creaminess and stinging Champagne’s fizz to create a delightful mix of flavors.
Alternative cheese and wine pairing: Chardonnay and Camembert, or Crémant and Époisses.
4. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cheddar
Are you wondering what cheese goes with red wine? Cheddar cheese is undoubtedly the best cheese for red wine, as its bold flavor and richness need a similarly intense wine to lift up those strong taste features.
This unique red wine-cheese pairing will enhance the qualities of both elements providing incredible dining sensations.
Similarly good wine and cheese pairings: Carménère and Smoked Gouda, or Montepulciano and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
5. Riesling and Raclette
What wine goes with cheese mellow and buttery like Raclette? Sweet wine like Riesling, for sure. It’s highly acidic and fruity, which guarantees the best wine and cheese pairing with versatile Raclette.
Off-dry Riesling will make a particularly good combo, as its sweetness will not overpower the delicate cheesiness.
Other best wine and cheese pairings: NZ Sauvignon Blanc and Mild Cheddar,e, or Gewürztraminer and Edam.
6. Malbec and Edam
If you’re looking for the best cheese with red wine like aromatic Malbec, then Edam is your best bet. It’s flavorful and nutty and will complement the complexity of the wine perfectly.
Such a divine combo will make wine and cheese pairing at home a truly delightful experience.
Similar cheese and wine pairings: Shiraz and Gouda, or Monastrell and Tomme.
7. Provence Rosé and Havarti
Pairing wine with cheeses is nothing but pure joy when you combine delicate and fruity rosé with equally mellow Havarti cheese.
The soft and smooth texture of the cheese is beautifully contrasted by the steely minerality found in the crisp wine, which clearly indicates this is the best wine for cheese like Havarti.
Other cheese and wine combinations: Sangiovese Rosé and Mozzarella, Rosado and Ricotta, or Pinot Noir Rosé and Fontina.
8. Chianti Classico and Pecorino Toscano
To combine cheese with wine successfully, both elements need to bring out the most prominent features of one another to create a tastefully balanced flavor.
Savory and aromatic Chianti Classico paired with bold Pecorino Toscano is simply the perfect match. The multiple tannins found in the wine lift up the herbal notes hidden in the cheese, offering a truly unique combination of flavors.
Alternative wine and cheese pairings: Sangiovese and Parmigiano-Reggiano or Brunello di Montalcino and Grana Padano.
9. Tempranillo and Idiazabal
This unique pairing of full-bodied wine and buttery cheese offers a terrific combination of smoky and savory flavors.
The high amount of tannins found in Tempranillo creates a pleasant contrast with smooth Idiazabal to provide an indulgent wine-cheese dining experience.
Other wine and cheese pairings: Garnacha and Zamorano, Rioja and Manchego, or Mencía and Roncal.
10. Moscato d’Asti and Gorgonzola
The full-flavored Gorgonzola is considered to be one of the funkier cheeses, with bold, salty, and earthy notes. For this reason, it calls for a wine that will break through its pungent taste.
Sweet white wine like Moscato d’Asti will match Gorgonzola’s intensity with its delicate, fruity flavor. The wine is light and acidic and will work as a palate cleanser, leaving you refreshed and ready for another bite of cheese.
Similar wine and cheese combinations: Prosecco and Asiago, or Gewürztraminer and Munster.
The Bottom Line
Pairing wine with cheese may seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re a beginner in the wine-pairing world, but with a few valuable tips and tricks, you can become a master of wine pairing in no time.
Pairing cheese with wine usually goes easier when you already have a favorite wine to match it with a cheesy treat. If you’re still looking for your beloved bottle or simply want to try different flavors of wines from various regions, you can sign up for our subscription box program. This way, you will have access to a variety of premium wines to taste from the comfort of your home, for great value for money.
