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Can you drink red wine with cheese?

5338 Views Posted on: 2025-04-11
 

Can you drink red wine with cheese? Yes, here is how

The combination of red wine and cheese is deeply embedded in the collective imagination. Yet modern sommeliers add nuance to this pairing, pointing out that in most cases, white wines prove better suited to accompany cheeses. So, can you really drink red wine with cheese? And if so, how do you choose the right wine based on the type of cheese on the board? Here is our guide to the best pairings between red wines and cheeses.

Red wine and cheese: a tradition that is not so universal

Historically, red wine was served with cheese simply because it was more common and more robust. On the gustatory level, however, the pairing is not always ideal. Some red wines, rich in tannins, can clash with the fatty texture or acidity of fresh cheeses, producing an unpleasant sensation of bitterness or astringency on the palate.

Red wine lovers, do not despair: with a few simple rules and the right grape variety choices, the cheese and red wine pairing can become genuinely delicious. The key lies in light tannins and a good match between the intensity of the wine and that of the cheese.

Which cheeses pair with red wine ?

Mild and young cheeses

Young, soft, rindless cheeses are delicate. To avoid overpowering them, favour light red wines with silky tannins and red fruit flavours. Pinot Noir is an excellent choice, particularly from Alsace or Burgundy.

Pressed cheeses

Cooked or uncooked pressed cheeses (Comté, Tomme, Cantal, Grana Padano) pair very well with structured reds such as a supple Cabernet Sauvignon or a Cabernet Franc from Bordeaux or the Loire.

Washed-rind cheeses

Cheeses such as Époisses, Maroilles or Ami du Chambertin are powerful and highly aromatic. A well-ripened Pinot Noir, a Beaujolais cru or a red Savoie wine can create a fine association through their generous fruitiness and silky tannins.

Our Reds & Cheese Selection : Gamay, Pinot Noir and naturally sweet wines picked for your cheeses, at estate price and straight from the winemaker. See the selection →

Blue cheeses

For blue cheeses (Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Fourme d'Ambert), the bitterness and saltiness call for a wine capable of balancing them. Try a naturally sweet red wine such as a Maury or a Banyuls, the natural sweetness of these wines envelops the piquancy of the blue cheese and creates a sweet-savoury contrast of great elegance.

Which red wine for a varied cheeseboard ?

A varied cheeseboard calls for a versatile red wine. A Pinot Noir or a low-tannin red, served lightly chilled, can work well. Beaujolais wines such as Morgon or Fleurie are excellent choices, thanks to their vibrant fruitiness and near-absent tannins. Avoid wines that are too young or too oaky, as these would harden the overall experience.

For a deeper guide on choosing red wine by cheese family and board composition, read our dedicated article: which red wine to choose with a cheeseboard?

What are the alternatives to red wine ?

White wines are often more suitable. Their acidity, freshness and absence of tannins pair naturally with the fatty texture of cheese. A Sancerre or a Chablis for fresh cheeses, a medium-sweet wine for blues, a vin jaune for an aged comté, every cheese finds an ideal partner. To understand why white wine dominates most cheese pairings, read: is white wine really the best match for cheese?

The 5 rules for a successful red wine and cheese pairing

Rule Why
Choose light, low-tannin wines Heavy tannins create bitterness with dairy fats
Avoid powerful, oaky or very young reds They overpower the cheese and weigh down the palate
Match wine intensity to cheese intensity A delicate cheese calls for a light red; a bold cheese can handle a more expressive one
Serve wine slightly chilled (14-16°C) A cooler temperature softens the perception of tannins
Choose a versatile red for a varied board Pinot Noir or Beaujolais Gamay adapt to most cheese profiles

Why buy your red wines for cheese direct from the producer ?

The Beaujolais Gamay, Alsace and Burgundy Pinot Noirs and naturally sweet wines that pair best with cheese are often produced in small volumes by winemakers who prioritise quality over quantity. Finding these cuvées at a fair price is not always straightforward through traditional distribution. On our marketplace, every bottle is offered at estate price, with no intermediary and shipped directly from the winemaker's cellar, with full traceability from vine to table.

Our Reds & Cheese Selection : Gamay, Pinot Noir and naturally sweet wines picked for your cheeses, at estate price and straight from the winemaker. See the selection →

Frequently asked questions - red wine and cheese

Why does red wine not always pair well with cheese ?

The problem lies in the tannins of red wine. These phenolic compounds react with the proteins and fats in cheese, creating an unpleasant sensation of bitterness and astringency on the palate. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced with fresh, creamy or soft-rind cheeses. White wines, which contain no tannins, avoid this conflict and therefore pair more naturally with most cheeses.

Which red wine to choose first if you do not know the cheese ?

When in doubt, choose a Beaujolais Gamay, Fleurie, Morgon or Brouilly. It is the most versatile red wine on a varied cheeseboard: its near-absent tannins, generous fruitiness and natural lightness allow it to adapt to a wide variety of cheeses without creating any gustatory conflict. Serve it lightly chilled, between 13 and 15°C.

Can you serve a Bordeaux with cheese ?

A tannic Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, young wine) is generally not recommended with cheese: its powerful tannins amplify the bitterness of fatty cheeses. However, a Merlot-dominant Bordeaux with a few years of bottle age and well-integrated tannins can work with pressed cheeses such as Comté or Cantal. The key is the tannin maturity of the wine, not its appellation.

Is red wine really worse than white wine with cheese ?

In the majority of cases, yes. Sommeliers agree that white wine adapts to a greater number of cheeses and creates more harmonious pairings through its natural acidity. This does not mean red wine is forbidden, but it requires more precision in the choice: light grape variety, silky tannins, appropriate cheese. White wine is more forgiving of approximations.

Which red wine with goat's cheese ?

Goat's cheese and red wine make a delicate pairing. For a fresh or creamy goat's cheese, white wine is strongly preferable. For a dry, aged goat's cheese, a very light Alsace Pinot Noir or an Anjou Gamay rosé can create an interesting contrast pairing. Read our complete guide on which wine to drink with goat's cheese for full details by ageing level.

Drinking red wine with cheese is not a mistake, it simply calls for a little thought and the right choices. With a Beaujolais Gamay, a Pinot Noir or a Banyuls for blue cheeses, you have everything you need to succeed. Find our complete selection of red wines for cheese, available directly at estate price.