Cheese and Wine Pairings: The Secrets of a Perfect Alliance

Wine and cheese form an age-old union that is a source of pride in French gastronomy. Although this duo may seem natural, it actually requires special attention to reveal its full magic. Between the golden rules of sommeliers, foolproof regional pairings, and a few counterintuitive surprises, discover the secrets of a successful tasting.

Forget common preconceptions: the best pairings aren’t always the ones you’d expect, and white wines have more to offer than meets the eye when it comes to seducing cheese lovers. A practical guide to elevating your tastings—from timeless classics to more daring combinations. Let’s dive in !

Why Do We Drink Wine with Cheese ?

The marriage of wine and cheese is deeply rooted in French culinary tradition. This alliance isn’t merely a matter of chance or custom—it relies on a true alchemy of flavors. The proteins and fats in cheese soften the wine’s tannins, while the wine’s acidity and aromas unveil and enhance the cheese’s complex notes. This complementary interaction creates a unique tasting experience where each element enriches the other.

This natural harmony is also explained by the shared history of these two terroir products. Vineyards and cheeses are often born on the same lands, shaped by the same climates and traditions. This geographical proximity has given rise to remarkably precise regional pairings, where wine and cheese together tell the story of their land.

💡 Germain Enlightens You

“Caseology” is the study of cheeses—their production, characteristics, and pairings. Inspired by the term “oenology” for wine, it refers to the expertise surrounding cheeses, including their origin, aging process, texture, aromas, and the art of tasting them.

The Basic Rules of Cheese and Wine Pairings

Cheese and wine pairings adhere to a few fundamental principles to ensure a successful tasting. Grand cru wines, particularly as they age, are not always the best choice: their finesse and complexity can be overwhelmed by the aromatic power of cheeses. The art of pairing is all about seeking balance, where wine and cheese interact without overpowering one another.

To orchestrate these gustatory unions, contrasts can be key: a strong-flavored cheese can harmonize with a wine of gentle character, and vice versa. One often-overlooked golden rule: white wine often proves to be a wiser choice than red. It’s both an elegant and safe option that helps avoid unfortunate pairings.

With these fundamentals in place, let’s now explore some alliances that will awaken your taste buds.

Classic Pairings: Cheeses and Wines You Shouldn’t Miss

The union of wine and cheese has inspired critics to write numerous passionate reviews about which pairings to choose or avoid. The truth ? There’s no absolute rule in this realm. Some combinations set your senses alight, while others do not. And, as they say, “it’s a matter of taste.”

With a Soft Cheese

Delicate soft cheeses, such as Brie, Brillat-Savarin, Époisses, or even Langres, find harmony with red wines of light structure—especially the elegant wines of the Loire. Meanwhile, Saint-Nectaire calls for more tannic wines that can complement its creamy texture.

For soft cheeses with a more pronounced character, such as Livarot, Maroilles, Munster, or Camembert, a subtle approach in wine selection is required. To preserve their complex aromas, favor red wines with delicate structure—a refined Burgundy, a fruity Beaujolais, an elegant Loire wine, or even the enveloping softness of a luscious white wine will elevate these characterful cheeses.

With a Hard or Pressed Cheese

Pressed cooked cheeses with a pronounced character, such as Comté, Beaufort, Tomme, or Emmental, particularly flourish alongside light and fruity wines. Opt for a playful Beaujolais, a delicate red Saumur, or, in white, a crystalline Sancerre, a mineral Arbois, or even the vibrant expressions from Savoie and Jura. For long-aged Comtés, Jura’s Vin Jaune creates a pairing of rare perfection.

With a Blue Cheese: Intensity on the Palate

A quick reminder: blue molds belong to the penicillin family and develop inside the cheese. They are behind an endless variety of wonderful cheeses—from the butter-dense Stilton to the soft, deliciously runny Gorgonzola, and not least, France’s king of blue cheeses, Roquefort.

The intensity of the blue veining naturally guides the choice of wine. As the blue evolves during aging, it calls for progressively sweeter wines: a lightly veined blue cheese will pair well with a luscious wine, while a strongly developed blue finds its balance with a fortified wine. Savoie, the historic cradle of these cheeses, excels in producing wines from late harvests, thus creating territorially precise pairings.

With Goat Cheese

Pairing wine with goat cheese requires special attention. Essentially, opt for white wines, whether dry or semi-dry.
French wine tradition offers natural pairings, as regions known for goat cheeses are often also vineyards. These territorial pairings prove particularly successful:

• Chavignol’s crottin flourishes alongside a Sancerre, a Menetou-Salon, or a Pouilly.
• Sainte-Maure de Touraine finds its ideal expression with a dry Vouvray.
• Valençay harmonizes beautifully with local Sauvignon or Montlouis wines.
• Further south, Rocamadour’s Cabécou pairs wonderfully with whites from the Lot.
• Pico cheese is ideally paired with a Cahors red or a Bergerac white.
• Goat cheeses from Cévennes or Larzac call for Languedoc or Provençal whites.
• In Burgundy, Charolais or Clacbitou shine in the company of Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâcon-Villages, or Saint-Véran.

The Perfect Pairings: A Guide to the Best Matches

Every wine has its cheese ! Discover our tips and suggestions.

With Red Wine

With its assertive flavor and creamy texture, Camembert demands a wine that can match its character. Yet, it thrives more with a light red than with an overly powerful wine that would mask its subtle aromas. A Pinot Noir or a Gamay are ideal allies—their supple tannins and fruity notes respect the cheese’s intensity while adding a refreshing touch.

With White Wine

White wine demonstrates remarkable versatility in its pairings with cheeses. Its aromatic palette—whether marked by acidity, bitterness, oxidative notes, or the softness of luscious wines—offers a wide range of possibilities depending on the cheese’s character and aging.

A few exceptional pairings illustrate this natural harmony: the minerality of a Saint-Péray from Domaine du Tunnel elevates a Saint-Marcellin, the sweetness of a Sauternes complements the power of a Bleu de Termignon, while the complexity of Vin Jaune reveals the full depth of a long-aged Comté.

With Rosé

Fresh goat cheese is the ideal companion for a rosé wine. Its melting texture and slight acidity harmonize perfectly with the freshness and fruity notes of a well-chosen rosé. A Coteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence, a Tavel, or a Bandol fully reveal the delicacy of fresh goat cheese, adding a gourmet and summery touch to the pairing.

💡 Germain Enlightens You

Have you heard the term “gouleyant” ? In oenology, it describes a wine that is fresh, supple, pleasant, and easy to drink. A “gouleyant” wine is distinguished by its liveliness and acidity, giving it a particularly refreshing and irresistible character.

With Sparkling Wine

Meaux or Melun Brie finds a perfect balance with Champagne. Its fine bubbles refresh the palate and temper the richness of the cheese, while the minerality and subtle oxidative touch of the effervescent wine enhance its delicate aromas, including its subtle mushroom notes. A pairing that is both refined and indulgent.

Summary Table of Cheese and Wine Pairings

To help you make the right choice, here is a summary table of the best cheese and wine pairings, highlighting harmonious combinations.

When cheese meets wine: 3 mistakes to avoid.

1. The red wine reflex

The most common mistake is to think that red wine is the universal pairing with cheese. Contrary to this misconception, white wines often offer more harmonious matches, thanks to their freshness and acidity that perfectly balance the richness of cheeses. An overly tannic red wine can create an unpleasant bitterness with certain cheeses. Our advice: be bold !

2. Wines That Are Too Prestigious or Too Old

Serving a grand cru or a very old wine with cheese may seem tempting, but it’s often a mistake. The aromatic power of cheeses can overshadow the finesse and complexity of these exceptional wines. It’s better to choose characterful, younger wines that can stand up to the intense flavors of cheeses without losing their personality.

3. The Flavor Progression

The final mistake is not respecting the progression of flavors. Starting with a powerful cheese like an aged blue or Munster will overwhelm the palate and prevent you from appreciating the subtler cheeses that follow. It’s crucial to serve cheeses in order of increasing intensity, adapting the wines accordingly—from light wines to more full-bodied ones.

Pairings According to Culinary Specialties

Cheese isn’t always served on its own or on a platter. It is often the hero of traditional dishes or the star ingredient of gourmet boards. These preparations, which combine cheese with other foods, require a different approach in choosing wines. Let’s explore the most harmonious pairings for these convivial specialties.

What Wine to Drink with an appetizer board ?

A charcuterie board, the epitome of conviviality, lends itself to a wide variety of pairings, flourishing with both red and white wines, not to mention some characterful rosés.

Quality cured hams pair well with the elegance of a southern white (such as Collioure or Patrimonio), which enhances the finesse of the fat, as well as with the generosity of a full-bodied red (such as Gigondas or Irouléguy), which brings out the dried meat notes in the lean parts.

Rillettes and andouille find their balance with vibrant, mineral whites (Bergerac, Jasnières, Quincy), while pâtés and terrines call for gourmand reds with silky tannins (Côtes-de-Bourg, Marcillac, Lirac).

What Wine to Drink with Raclette ?

Although tradition often favors red wine with cheese, white wine is often a more judicious choice. Raclette is a special case: the presence of charcuterie and potatoes greatly broadens the range of possibilities. This specificity allows for exploring a very diverse palette of pairings—whether white, red, Champagne, rosé, or even orange wines.

What Wine to Drink with Tartiflette ?

Tartiflette, a hearty dish combining melted Reblochon, potatoes, and lardons, finds its best matches in Savoie white wines. A Roussette de Savoie or a Chignin-Bergeron, made from the Altesse and Roussanne grapes respectively, bring the freshness and minerality needed to balance the dish’s richness.

For red wine lovers, light and fruity wines are preferred: a Savoie Gamay from Domaine Saint-Germain or a Haute-Savoie Pinot Noir from Adrien Berlioz will accompany the dish with elegance, their supple tannins and natural acidity enhancing the cheese’s richness without overpowering it.