Wine Pairing with Cheese
Wine pairings for hard, soft, and specialty cheeses.
Quick Wine Pairing Guide for Cheese
Finding the right wine to pair with cheese depends on the specific dish, cooking method, and sauce. Here's what you need to know:
- Consider the preparation: Grilled, roasted, and fried dishes pair differently than poached or steamed.
- Match intensity: Bold dishes need bold wines; delicate dishes need lighter wines.
- Don't forget the sauce: Often the sauce matters more than the protein itself.
Cheese Dishes & Wine Pairings
Hard Cheese
Aged cheeses like Parmesan, aged Cheddar, Manchego, and Gruyère.
💡 The intensity of aged cheese matches bold red wines. Parmesan and Chianti is a classic.
Soft Cheese
Brie, Camembert, Burrata, and fresh Mozzarella.
💡 Soft, creamy cheeses love bubbles. Champagne with Brie is an elegant pairing.
Goat Cheese
Fresh chèvre, aged goat cheese, and goat cheese salads.
💡 The tangy nature of goat cheese pairs perfectly with the herbaceous notes of Sauvignon Blanc.
Best Wines for Cheese
The king of red wines, known for its bold tannins and dark fruit flavors. Full-bodied with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and vanilla.
A bold, spicy red wine with dark fruit and peppery notes. Called Shiraz in Australia, Syrah elsewhere.
Malbec
RedArgentina's signature grape, producing rich, velvety wines with dark fruit and smoky notes.
Zinfandel
RedCalifornia's heritage grape, known for jammy fruit flavors and bold, spicy character.
Explore Other Food Pairings
Can't Find What You're Looking For?
Use our interactive pairing tool to search any dish.
Try Pairing Tool