Although there are few things greater in life than a good hunk of smoky Gouda paired with a hearty Black and Tan, wine is the perfect partner for a sophisticated cheese board. Wine and cheese pairings are tricky; no two cheeses are the same, and matching the perfect cheese to its perfect wine calls for much care and thought. Wine and cheese pairings are selected like color in interior design, you can either match or contrast, but the flavor and textures have to complement each other in your palate. It is also a matter of taste…your own. Do you love a good Pinot Grigio, but are having Roquefort? Hey, rules were meant to be broken! Enjoy it!
To wine selection easier for you, we’ve broken it down so you can choose by wine type, cheese category, and most popular cheese. Salut!
| Type of Wine |
Example |
Cheese Type |
Example |
| Dry White Wines, light to med-bodied |
Auxerrois, Travigne White and Rose, Chardonnay Riesling Reserve, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio Riesling and Late Autumn Riesling |
Cream based Fresh no rind, Most Goat's cheeses Bluish-gray natural rind |
Crème fraîche, mozzarella, Fontina, Chèvre, Crottin, Feta, Havarti, St-Marcellin, Tete de Moine, Emmental, Ricotta |
| Dry White Wines, Full-Bodied |
Chardonnay Reserve Chardonnay Single Vineyards Founder's Reserve Chardonna |
Semi-softGrey-pink thick rind Soft cheeses w/ bloomy rind |
Brie; Camembert; Port-Salut, Chaource, Livarot, Pont l'Eveque, Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie, St-Nectaire, Taleggio |
| Dry White Wines, Full-Bodied |
Chardonnay Reserve Chardonnay Single Vineyards Founder's Reserve Chardonna |
Semi-softGrey-pink thick rind Soft cheeses w/ bloomy rind |
Brie; Camembert; Port-Salut, Chaource, Livarot, Pont l'Eveque, Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie, St-Nectaire, Taleggio |
| Dry Red Wines, Light to Med-Bodied, Fruity |
Merlot Pinot NoirCabernet Franc |
Fresh with no rind Soft cheeses with bloomy rind Some colored thick rinds |
Brie, Edam, Emmental, Gouda, Gruyere, Mozzarella, Jarlsberg |
| Dry Red Wines, Medium-Bodied, Complex |
|
Soft w/ washed rindSticky orange-red, brownish rinds |
Vacherin, Munster, Langres, Mature Epoisses, Maroilles, Raw milk Brie, Coulommiers Morbier, Reblochon |
| Dry Red Wines Full-Bodied |
Cabernet Franc Reserve,Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon |
Hard Cheeses, waxed or oiled |
Parmigiano Reggiano, Ricotta Salata, Romano, Asiago, Pont l'Eveque, Manchego, ComteOld Gouda, Beaufort, Chèvre NoirMahon, Roncal |
| Type |
Example |
Wine |
| Soft Cheeses |
Munster, Boursin, Brie |
Light Reds, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet, Côtes du Rhône, Bourgeuil, Brouilly, Saint-Émilion Pinot noir d'Alsace |
| Semi-Soft |
Bel Paese, Swiss |
Chardonnay |
| Downy/Bloomy Rind Cheese |
Camembert, Brie |
Light Reds |
| Pressed Cheese |
Mimollette |
Light Reds |
| Fresh Cheese |
Ricotta, Cottage, Fresh chèvre |
Light and fruity wines, served cool |
| Goats Milk cheese / Chevres |
ValencayCrottin de Chavignol |
Light Reds, dry fruity whites, Herbal acid whites, Sancerre, Mâcon, Côtes du Rhône
Chinon |
| Soft, Washed Rind |
Munster, Reblochon AOC |
Robust Reds, Côtes de Nuit, Saint-Émilion,
Côtes du Rhône, Chateauneuf du Pape |
| Blue Cheese/Roquefort |
Bresse Blue, Stilton Blue |
Smooth whites, Ports or Madeiras, Graves,
St-Émilion, Côtes du Rhône, Cahors, Corbières |
| Sheep's milk /Ewe's Milk Cheese |
Feta Queso de la Serena Pecorino Sardo,Pecorino
Romano |
Fuller Whites (Alsace Gewurztraminer), Sweet Whites (Chenin Blanc Demi Sec), Medium Reds (Burgundy) |
| Processed Cheese |
Any cheese that is enriched or encrusted with other ingredients, such as nuts, herbs or spices. E.x. |
Light Whites Light Reds (Beaujolais) |
