Wines to drink with a raclette

Winter is the season for comforting dishes, and raclette tops the list! This traditional dish, originating from Switzerland, is made with melted cheese, cured meats, and potatoes, creating a rich and flavorful combination. But what wine should you choose to pair perfectly with raclette?

Choosing a Wine for Raclette

Raclette is a rich and fatty dish, and it requires a wine that can balance these textures while enhancing the flavors. To accompany this convivial meal, opt for a dry white wine. White wines offer a nice acidity that cuts through the richness of the melted cheese, bringing freshness to each bite. Wines from the Savoie region, such as Roussette de Savoie or Chignin-Bergeron, are perfect choices with their freshness and subtle fruity notes. A Mâcon-Villages from Burgundy or a Cheverny from the Loire are also excellent options, thanks to their vibrant acidity and light aromatic profiles.

Red Wine and Raclette: A Pairing to Try

If you prefer red wine, choose light, low-tannin wines to avoid clashing with the cheese’s richness. A Pinot Noir from Alsace or a Gamay from Beaujolais are ideal, as their subtle fruitiness and low tannin content pair well with raclette. To stay in the Savoie region, try a Mondeuse with its silky tannins, which pairs perfectly with the cured meats and potatoes.

Explore our selection of wines to pair with your raclette on Avenue des Vins, and enjoy a unique tasting experience with wines sourced directly from the estate or château of your choice!

Frequently asked questions about wine and raclette

What white wine goes with raclette?

A dry, crisp white that cuts through the melted cheese. Savoie wines such as Roussette do this perfectly, as does a Chablis from Burgundy or a Cour-Cheverny from the Loire. Look for acidity and freshness rather than body or oak.

Can you drink red wine with raclette?

Yes, as long as the red is light and low in tannin. Tannins clash with the fat of the cheese and leave a bitter finish. Alsace Pinot Noir, Beaujolais Gamay or a Savoie Mondeuse all work well, carried by their fruit and suppleness.

Which Savoie wine should I choose for raclette?

Roussette de Savoie is the safest choice: its freshness and white-fruit notes sit alongside the cheese rather than fighting it. Chignin-Bergeron, fuller in body, suits raclette served with smoked charcuterie. In red, the silky tannins of Mondeuse hold up to the potatoes and cured meats.

How many bottles do I need for a raclette for six?

Allow one bottle for every two to three guests across the whole meal, so two to three bottles for six. Raclette is eaten slowly and drunk over time, so it is better to have one bottle too many than one too few.

What temperature should the wine be served at?

Whites are served at 8 to 10 °C, cool enough to refresh the palate between mouthfuls of cheese. Light reds are best around 12 to 14 °C, never at room temperature, which would flatten their fruit.

What wine goes with croziflette or tartiflette?

The same principles as raclette: a dry Savoie white, or a light, fruity red. Croziflette, made with crozets pasta and Reblochon cheese, calls for an even livelier wine to balance the richness of the dish. See our wine selection for croziflette.

What wine should I serve with other winter dishes?

Every winter dish has its match. Slow-cooked stews and meat in sauce call for fuller reds, while cheese-based dishes remain the territory of crisp whites. Browse our pairings for winter dishes.

Why buy your raclette wine directly from the winegrower?

Because the bottle stays at the estate until you order, kept in the grower's own conditions rather than in a warehouse. You know who made it and where, and the grower is paid fairly for the work.