What wine to drink with croziflette?

Discover Croziflette: A Savoyard Delight and Its Perfect Wine Pairings

Just like raclette or tartiflette, croziflette is a classic dish from the Savoy region. Find out which wines to pair with this hearty meal and explore our selection of wines for successful food and wine pairings in our guide.

Croziflette: An Iconic Savoyard Dish

Croziflette is a Savoyard dish and a variation of tartiflette. This iconic dish from the Savoy region is made with crozets, small square-shaped pasta traditionally made from buckwheat flour, though wheat flour versions are also available. Croziflette is essentially a gratin of crozets with caramelized onions, Savoyard bacon, lardons, or cured ham from Savoy, topped with Reblochon cheese. This generous and convivial dish is especially popular in winter. You can make this recipe at home or enjoy croziflette in a restaurant at the base of the ski slopes.

Croziflette and Wine Pairing: The Regional Match

This Savoyard dish gets its rustic yet refined character from the combination of buckwheat crozets, caramelized onions, cured ham or smoked lardons, and most importantly, melted Reblochon cheese on top. The result is a rich dish with terroir-driven flavors, a creamy texture, and a comforting profile that calls for a well-chosen regional wine. Some even add potatoes to boost the gratin’s cozy appeal. Whether served in a mountain chalet, at a restaurant, or baked at home, croziflette is the perfect embodiment of French alpine cuisine.

To accompany your croziflette gratin, consider following the regional food and wine pairing by choosing a wine from a local estate. The Reblochon cheese, which is the star of this dish, is a raw milk cheese. With its melted cheese and regional charcuterie, croziflette is a rich and sometimes "greasy" dish. To balance this recipe and cut through the richness, you might choose a fresh white wine. Savoie white wines are perfect for pairing with croziflette. They offer a nice freshness and dense body that balances the Reblochon cheese. White wines made from Savoie’s Roussette grape deliver floral notes and are very refined.

What White Wine to Drink with Croziflette?

To complement croziflette, opt for a white wine that enhances the flavor of Reblochon. For instance, a Crozes-Hermitage white from the Rhône Valley can be an excellent choice. This appellation offers a good balance of freshness without excessive acidity, made from Marsanne, which provides citrus and white fruit notes. Among the best dry white wines to pair with croziflette, Roussette de Savoie (also known as the Altesse grape) deserves special mention. This local varietal produces refined wines with floral and mineral notes, ideal for pairing with melted Reblochon.

A Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, such as a Sancerre AOC or Pouilly-Fumé AOC, is also an excellent choice, its natural acidity cuts through the richness of the dish and enhances every bite. Another great option: a Crozes-Hermitage white from the Rhône Valley, made from Roussanne, which combines elegance, roundness, and freshness. For a more unexpected pairing, try a well-balanced Pinot Gris from Alsace, whose smoky notes and generous mouthfeel echo the flavors of cured ham and lardons.

What Red Wine to Enjoy with Croziflette?

While croziflette is traditionally paired with white wine, it is also possible to enjoy it with a red wine. In this case, choose a low-tannin and fresh red wine. Red wines from the Loire Valley offer subtle tannins with a fruity and spicy palate that enhances your dish.  If you prefer red wine, go for low-tannin wines made from Pinot Noir, a grape that pairs perfectly with this kind of dish. In Burgundy or the Loire Valley, Pinot Noir develops aromas of fresh red berries and forest floor, which blend harmoniously with the creamy richness of the gratin. A Gamay from Beaujolais, especially under the Beaujolais Villages appellation, is also a great alternative: fruity, light, yet expressive, it balances the richness of the dish while respecting its flavors.

You could also try a red wine from Savoy, such as Mondeuse. This typical Savoyard grape variety produces very low-tannin wines with pleasant spicy notes. It’s an excellent choice for a unique and successful food and wine pairing. Red wines from Southern France or Bordeaux, especially those made from Cabernet Sauvignon, should generally be avoided if they’re too powerful or heavily oaked. It's better to stick to supple red wines with low tannins to avoid overpowering the creamy texture of the croziflette.

Bonus: our croziflette recipe!

 Here’s our recipe for making authentic Savoyard croziflette at home. Grab your cooking utensils, a good baking dish, and your favorite bottle of dry white wine to go with it!

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 300 g of buckwheat crozets (or wheat-based, if preferred)
• 200 g of cured ham from Savoie or 200 g of smoked lardons
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 whole Reblochon cheese (around 400 g)
• 10 cl of crème fraîche
• Salt, pepper, olive oil

Preparation:

1. Cook the crozets for 15 minutes in a large pot of salted boiling water, then drain.
2. In a pan, sauté the onion with olive oil until well caramelized.
3. Add the cured ham or lardons and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the crozets, cream, onions, and charcuterie. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour the mixture into a gratin dish and place the halved Reblochon cheese on top, rind facing up.
6. Bake for 20 minutes at 200°C (390°F) until the cheese is fully melted and golden.
7. Serve immediately, paired with a white wine from Savoie or a light Pinot Noir for the perfect food and wine match.

Croziflette is a delectable dish that invites conviviality. This Savoyard recipe traditionally pairs with either a Savoie white wine or a low-tannin, spicy red wine. Discover our selection of wines directly from French estates and vineyards. Our selection includes white, red, rosé wines, and champagne, all carefully chosen to complement your recipes and enhance your shared moments.

FAQ - Wine and croziflette

White or red wine with croziflette?

Both work well. White is the safer bet since its freshness cuts through the richness of the melted Reblochon. A red suits the dish only if it stays light and low in tannins, so it never overpowers the gratin.

Should the white wine be served chilled with croziflette?

Yes, a serving temperature of around 8 to 10 °C highlights the liveliness of a Savoie white and refreshes the palate between bites of cheese. Served too cold, the wine closes up and loses its aromas.

Which Savoyard grape works best with croziflette?

Altesse, behind Roussette de Savoie, yields a refined white with floral and mineral notes. For red, Mondeuse brings gentle tannins and a spicy edge that suits this alpine dish.

Does a Rhone Valley wine pair with croziflette?

A white Crozes-Hermitage made from Marsanne or Roussanne offers citrus and white-fruit notes with a rounded body. It balances the creamy gratin without adding too much acidity.

Which red wines should you avoid with croziflette?

Powerful, oaky reds such as certain Cabernet Sauvignons from the South or Bordeaux overwhelm the Reblochon. A supple, fruity Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais Gamay is a far better match.