Cheese & Wine: The Perfect Duo or a Mismatch?

(Spoiler: Some pairings don’t work as well as you think.)

Ah, the sacred pairing of wine and cheese—a loaded board, a bold red, and a moment of pure gastronomic bliss. Except… in reality, it doesn’t always go as planned.

Between clashing tannins, acidity battles, and overpowering flavors, some pairings are more of a quick divorce than a harmonious marriage.

So, is it a myth or reality? Let’s break down what works—and what ends in disaster.

1. Bold Red Wines with Cheese: A Classic Mistake 🚫

Many believe full-bodied, tannic red wines are cheese’s best friend. Bad news: tannins don’t play well with soft cheeses and can create a metallic, unpleasant taste.

❌ Failed Pairing: A Saint-Émilion with Camembert.
→ Result: The cheese amplifies bitterness and completely dulls the wine.

✅ What Works: A light, fruity, low-tannin red.
✔ Beaujolais (Gamay) or Pinot Noir → Smooth enough to complement rather than fight the cheese.

2. The Real Hero: White Wine 🏆

Yes, you read that right. Contrary to popular belief, white wine is often the best match for cheese.

Its acidity cuts through fat, keeping the pairing fresh, where a red wine’s tannins can become harsh and overpowering.

✔️ Winning Pairing: Comté & Vin Jaune (Jura)
→ The nutty, spicy notes of the wine perfectly complement the aged complexity of the cheese.

✔️ Another Star Match: Fresh goat cheese & Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé).
→ The crisp acidity cleanses the palate and enhances the cheese’s minerality.

3. Blue Cheese & Sweet Wine: The Unexpected Perfect Match 💙🍷

Blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola) are intense, salty, and packed with umami. Pairing them with a dry wine? A losing battle.

✔️ Royal Pairing: Roquefort & Sauternes.
→ The sweetness of the wine balances the salt and creates a heavenly contrast.

❌ Failed Pairing: Roquefort & Bordeaux Red.
→ Too much intensity on both sides = a clashing, unpleasant finish.

4. Firm Cheeses & Red Wine? Yes, But…

If red wine has a place in cheese pairings, it’s with firm, aged cheeses like Comté, Beaufort, and Gruyère.

✔️ Good Match: Morbier & Côtes-du-Rhône.
→ A smooth red with ripe fruit notes balances the cheese’s nuttiness and slight funk.

❌ Bad Match: Young Comté with a powerhouse red (Cahors, Madiran).
→ The wine overpowers the cheese, killing its delicate charm.

5. Champagne & Cheese: The Underrated Power Couple 🍾🧀

Champagne with cheese? Absolutely. The bubbles and acidity cut through richness, making for a brilliant contrast.

✔️ Winning Pairing: Brie de Meaux & Champagne Brut.
→ The effervescence refreshes the palate while highlighting the creamy texture of the cheese.

Forget the Clichés & Experiment

🚫 Not all cheese pairs well with red wine.
✅ White wine is often a better match.
🎉 Sometimes, sweetness or bubbles create the best surprises.

Instead of sticking to outdated rules, try new pairings, adjust, and discover your own favorites. Because when it comes to cheese and wine, the best pairing is the one that brings you joy. 🧀🍷

👉 Explore our curated selection here.