Whether you're planning wine and cheese board pairings for a party or setting out a wedge of cheese for a simple snack, choosing the right wine can be tricky. However, with a few tips up your sleeve, you can master the art of wine and cheese pairing with ease. And when it’s time to serve, make sure you have the best wine glasses on hand!
General Rules for Pairing Wine with Cheese:
Regional Pairings: Wines and cheeses from the same region often complement each other well.
Textural Contrasts: Fresh, lighter cheeses pair well with crisp, lighter wines, while heavier, denser cheeses pair better with bigger, bolder wines.
Tasting Order: Always taste the wine before the cheese for the best experience.
Temperature: Like some wines, many cheeses taste better at room temperature rather than very cold.
Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Don't wait for a special occasion to enjoy bubbly. Whether it's French Champagne, domestic sparkling wine, Italian Prosecco, or Spanish Cava, these effervescent wines with high acidity and toasty, nutty flavors are perfect food wines and make excellent cheese partners. Drier bubbly, like brut Champagne, cuts through the creaminess of Brie wonderfully and pairs well with aged cheeses from France and Switzerland, such as Comte and Gruyere. For a triple crème cheese like Brillat-Savarin, try Cava—the coarse bubbles make a great companion for the ultra-silky butteriness. And Prosecco is a delightful match for Parmesan.
Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris
Originating from the same grape variety, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris have distinct differences affecting their cheese pairing. Italian Pinot Grigio is often lighter bodied and crisp with vibrant citrus flavors, making it perfect with cheeses like Asiago, mozzarella, or creamy burrata. Pinot Gris from the Alsace region of France and states like Oregon is richer and more complex, with tropical fruit notes that pair nicely with aged cheddar or Gouda.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay varies greatly depending on the region and winemaker, but the two most common styles are oaked and unoaked. Crisp, high-acid, unoaked Chardonnay is a go-to for fresh goat cheese. On the other end, a big, oaky Chardonnay pairs well with semi-hard cheeses like buttery cheddar or Havarti. Chardonnays with balanced oak and ripe fruit flavors go beautifully with cheeses like Brie and Camembert.
Sauvignon Blanc
Grassy, herbaceous, citrusy —these are just some of the characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc. Whether from New Zealand, California, or Washington State, its freshness pairs well with cheeses like goat cheese, Brie, feta, and Asiago.
Rosé
Rosé is perfect all year long, not just in the summer. Made from red wine grapes like Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cinsault, and Grenache, Rosé varies in color and style. Lighter Rosés, like those from Provence, pair nicely with fresh cheeses like creamy burrata, chèvre, and smooth Havarti. Fruitier, darker Rosés from Syrah grapes pair well with firmer, bolder cheeses like aged cheddar or Gouda.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is typically a medium—to light-bodied wine that can be earthy and savory or fruity with cherry and berry flavors. Its floral aromas, spice, and enough acid make it food-friendly and an excellent match for many cheeses. Serve Pinot Noir with earthy Camembert, Brie, or pungent cheeses like Taleggio and Reblochon. A light and fruity Pinot Noir also pairs well with Cambozola, a creamier mild blue cheese.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most recognized styles of red wine. Rich with big fruit flavors like black cherry, blackcurrant, and spice, plus robust tannins, it's easy to see why it's so popular around the world. You'll want to sip this alongside an equally big and bold cheese like aged cheddar or blue cheeses like Gorgonzola and Roquefort.
Port
A lovely young, sweet, ruby port served alongside a wedge of pungent Stilton or Gorgonzola cheese is a classic combination. But you don't have to stop at the blues. Explore different ports and cheese combinations, like the full-bodied tawny port with a sharp, salty aged cheddar or Gouda and Romano cheese. For a drier, young white port, try Gruyere.
While classic pairings provide a solid foundation, don't hesitate to explore new flavors and combinations. Wine and cheese pairing is a dynamic experience influenced by personal preferences. Experiment with different wine varietals and less common cheeses to discover unique pairings that delight your palate.