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Vins et fromages
Wine and cheese: how to choose the perfect pairing? Go for a white wine with a soft-rind cheese or a light red wine with a pressed cheese. Discover the best wine and cheese pairings: reds, whites or sparkling to elevate your tastings !
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Wine and cheese: the best wine and cheese pairings from France
Which wine should I choose with cheese ?
Wine and cheese pairing is a great classic of French gastronomy. Yet choosing the right wine to complement each type of cheese can be a delicate exercise. Should you go for red, white or even sparkling ? Discover our tips and selection for perfect wine and cheese pairings.
Wine and cheese: the golden rules
- White wine is often the best companion for cheese: its freshness and acidity balance the richness of the cheese.
- Light red wines are preferable to tannic reds: tannins can harden the taste of cheese and mask its aromas.
- Match a wine and a cheese from the same region: a simple principle that works to perfection!
Which wine goes with soft-rind and bloomy cheeses ?
Cheeses such as Camembert, Brie, Coulommiers or Chaource call for supple and aromatic wines:
- Burgundy Chardonnay: its buttery and floral notes pair perfectly with the creamy texture of Brie.
- Brut Champagne or Crémant: their fine bubbles refresh the palate and balance the richness of the cheese.
Which wine goes with hard cooked-curd cheeses ?
Cheeses such as Comté, Beaufort or Emmental pair with elegant and lightly oaked white wines:
- Vin Jaune from the Jura: its aromatic intensity perfectly complements aged Comté.
- Alsace Riesling: its freshness and minerality pair beautifully with Beaufort.
Which wine goes with semi-hard uncooked cheeses ?
Cheeses such as Tomme de Savoie, Cantal or Saint-Nectaire call for fruity and low-tannin red wines:
- Alsace Pinot Noir or Burgundy Pinot Noir: their delicate red fruit aromas complement the mildness of Saint-Nectaire.
- Beaujolais Gamay: a light and flavourful wine that pairs beautifully with Tomme de Savoie.
Which wine goes with goat's cheese ?
Cheeses such as Crottin de Chavignol, Valençay or Selles-sur-Cher pair wonderfully with crisp and mineral white wines:
- Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc): their acidity and citrus notes balance the milky character of the cheese.
- Dry Jurançon: an aromatic wine that enhances the delicacy of goat's cheese.
Which wine goes with blue cheese ?
Blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne or Fourme d'Ambert call for sweet and powerful wines:
- Sauternes or Monbazillac: their sweetness contrasts with the saltiness of Roquefort for an unforgettable pairing.
- Maury or Banyuls: these sweet red wines from the South pair wonderfully with Bleu d'Auvergne.
Wine with raclette and fondue savoyarde: the perfect match
Raclette and fondue savoyarde, rich and indulgent, pair best with fresh and aromatic white wines:
- Apremont or Roussette de Savoie: crisp whites that balance the richness of melted cheese.
- Côtes-du-Jura Chardonnay: a full-bodied wine that accompanies charcuterie and potatoes beautifully.
A cheeseboard elevated by the right wine
Whether you love mild, strong or creamy cheeses, there is always a wine to reveal their flavours. Discover our selection and create perfect pairings for a unique tasting experience. Use our guide to find the perfect wine.
The great regional wine and cheese pairings of France
In France, every terroir tells a story: a cheese and a wine born from the same soil, shaped by the same climate, enjoyed together for centuries.
France is the land of wine and cheese par excellence. Every great wine region produces wines that naturally complement its local cheeses, a gastronomic heritage unique in the world:
- Burgundy: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Époisses, Cîteaux or Soumaintrain.
- Alsace: Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer with Munster, Langres or Maroilles.
- Loire Valley: Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé with Crottin de Chavignol, Valençay or Selles-sur-Cher.
- Jura: Vin Jaune and Côtes-du-Jura with Comté, Morbier and Mont d'Or.
- Savoie: Apremont and Roussette de Savoie with Raclette, Reblochon and Beaufort.
- South-West: Jurançon and Sauternes with Ossau-Iraty, Roquefort and Fourme d'Ambert.
- Rhône Valley: Côtes du Rhône and Gigondas with Picodon, Pélardon and southern sheep's cheeses.
- Champagne: Brut Champagne with Chaource, Langres or a creamy cheeseboard.
At Avenue des Vins, every wine is selected directly from independent French winemakers, to guarantee authentic regional pairings, from the vine to your cheeseboard.
Frequently asked questions about wine and cheese pairings
Should I always choose white wine with cheese ?
Not necessarily, but white wine remains the safest choice. Its freshness and acidity naturally balance the richness of cheese. Light reds such as a Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais Gamay work well with semi-hard uncooked cheeses. However, avoid tannic reds with most cheeses: tannins create an unpleasant bitterness on the palate.
Which red wine should I choose with cheese ?
Contrary to popular belief, not all red wines pair well with cheese. Go for light, low-tannin reds: a Burgundy Pinot Noir, a Beaujolais Gamay or an Alsace Pinot Noir. Avoid powerful Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, whose tannins create an unpleasant bitterness with most cheeses.
Which wine should I serve with a varied cheeseboard ?
For a varied cheeseboard, you have two options. Either choose a versatile white wine such as a Burgundy Chardonnay or an Alsace Riesling, which pair with most cheeses. Or offer several wines, a white, a light red and a sparkling, to let your guests create their own pairings.
Which wine should I choose with Roquefort or blue cheese ?
Blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne or Fourme d'Ambert call for sweet and powerful wines. A Sauternes or a Monbazillac create an unforgettable sweet-salty contrast with Roquefort. A Banyuls or a Maury pair to perfection with milder blue cheeses.
Which wine goes with fondue or raclette ?
For a fondue savoyarde or a raclette, go for crisp and lively white wines from the same region: Apremont, Roussette de Savoie or Côtes-du-Jura Chardonnay. Their acidity cuts through the richness of the melted cheese and cleanses the palate between each bite. Avoid tannic red wines which make the meal feel heavy.
Which Champagne or sparkling wine goes with cheese ?
Brut Champagne is a universal pairing for soft-rind and bloomy cheeses — Brie, Camembert, Chaource. Its fine bubbles and lively acidity refresh the palate and balance the creaminess of the cheese. A Crémant d'Alsace or a Crémant de Bourgogne offer similar pairings at more accessible prices.
Can I order wines for cheese pairings with delivery across France and Europe ?
Yes. Avenue des Vins delivers anywhere in mainland France and across Europe, directly from the winemaker's estate. Burgundy, Alsace, Loire, Jura, Savoie, South-West, Rhône Valley, Champagne, all our French winemakers ship their carefully packaged bottles to elevate your cheeseboard.