Pairing wine with cheese is an art that delights the palate. The interplay between a wine's body, acidity, and sweetness, and a cheese's texture and flavour, can create unexpectedly harmonious balances. If you're new to pairing, this guide introduces 7 classic wine and cheese combinations so you can enjoy a gourmet tasting experience at home!

Cabernet Sauvignon × Aged Cheddar

Cabernet Sauvignon, with its bold tannins and notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, and smoke, pairs well with an equally robust cheese. Aged cheddar’s high fat content softens the tannins, while its nutty richness complements the wine’s dark fruit flavours without overpowering them.

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Riesling × Raclette

Riesling’s bright acidity, with citrus, peach, and mineral notes, cuts through Raclette’s creamy texture. Opt for a slightly sweet (Kabinett or off-dry) Riesling; its sweetness balances the cheese’s nuttiness without dominating it, creating a rounded finish.

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Malbec × Gouda

Aged Gouda’s caramel and nutty richness pairs beautifully with Malbec’s full-bodied blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate profile. The cheese’s creamy texture softens the wine’s tannins, making it exceptionally smooth.

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Chardonnay × Brie

Chardonnay’s fruity vibrancy and crisp acidity balance Brie’s buttery decadence. For extra flair, try sparkling wine—its bubbles lift the cheese’s richness.

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Merlot × Gruyère

Merlot’s velvety tannins and red berry, plum, and vanilla notes harmonize with Gruyère’s nutty, caramelized depth. The cheese’s slight saltiness enhances the wine’s smoothness.

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Syrah × Parmesan

Syrah’s bold black fruit, black pepper, and smokiness contrast with Parmesan’s salty, granular texture. The cheese’s umami highlights the wine’s spice, ending with a smoky finish.

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Sauternes × Blue Cheese

Blue cheese’s intense saltiness (e.g., Roquefort or Gorgonzola) meets its match in Sauternes’ honeyed apricot sweetness, creating a "sweet-salty symphony."

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3 Key Pairing Principles

●    Texture Balance: Bold cheeses (e.g., blue) with full-bodied wines (e.g., sweet whites); Light cheeses (e.g., goat) with high-acid whites
●    Mouthfeel Harmony: Creamy cheeses (e.g., Brie) with crisp, lively wines
●    Contrast Play: Sweet + salty (e.g., Sauternes × blue cheese) for surprising harmony