Wine and cheese go together like, well, wine and cheese. Together they are a wonderful combination that can be thoroughly enjoyed, especially when good combinations are found. Some tips:

  • While many people picture red wine with cheese, white wines are generally more “cheese friendly” than reds. This is because of the soft fruit and acidity in whites. Cheese will bring out bitterness in reds, turning tannins against you.

  • Pair simple cheeses with light wines … think Sauvignon Blancs, Rieslings, and rosés with mild cheddar, Monterey jack, or cream cheese.

  • Pair strong (think stinky) cheeses with deep, sweet wines … Blue cheese with Port or Roquefort with late harvest Riesling, for example.

  • Hard cheeses work better with medium to full-bodied wines while soft cheeses work better with sparkling whites.

  • Sweet wines are great partners to many cheeses and a great choice “when in doubt.” Think Rieslings, late harvest wines, and Port. Other good “when in doubt” wines include Gewurztraminer, Sancerre, Chenin Blanc, and sparkling wines such as Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne.


Classic Cheese Pairings

Blue …………………….. Tawny Port

Brie ……………………… Cava, Champagne, Prosecco

Boursin ………………… Gewurztraminer

Camembert …………. Sparkling or a rich Chardonnay

Cheddar (sharp) …… Cabernet, Rioja, Sauvignon Blanc

Edam …………………….. Riesling, Pinot Noir

Goat (Chevre) ………. Sancerre, Gewurztraminer, Vouvray

Gouda ………………….. Australian Shiraz, Riesling

Gruyere ………………… Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc

Havarti …………………. Bordeaux, Rioja

Limburger ……………. Go beer over wine

Manchego …………….. Amontillado, Rioja

Mozzarella ……………. Beaujolais, Chianti

Muenster ……………… Beuajolais, Zinfandel

Parmesan …………….. Chardonnay

Provolone …………….. Barolo

Roquefort ……………. Sauternes, late harvest Sauvignon Blancs

Stilton …………………. Tawny Port

Swiss …………………… Gewurztraminer

Triple Cream ……….. Sparkling