The ideal wine and cheese combinations

Cheese essentially consists of fat and milk protein. Nevertheless, the world of different cheeses offers a whole universe of flavour components due to the type of milk used and how it is processed. Firstly, there is the question of the origin of the milk. Does it come from a cow, a sheep or a goat? This has an effect on the salt content, but also on the sharpness or sweetness, the proportion of acidity or flavour.

Of course, it also depends on whether it is winter milk or summer milk, i.e. whether the animals have been fed dry feed or pasture. Cheese can be crumbly, firm or creamy, young, medium-aged or matured. There are just as many origins, flavours and variations as with wine, which is actually just grape sugar, water and alcohol. Perhaps that's why terroir translators go so well together - if you choose the right combinations.

We have put together 8 ideal pairings of cheese and wine for you here:

1. Variation

Fresh, creamy cheese and a fresh white wine

Creamy fresh cheeses and quark are high in lactose and low in acidity. The white wine can be correspondingly young, with a youthful acidity and fruity flavour, as the fruit supports the delicate aromas of the youthful cheese.

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Winery Michel JUBILUM Weißer Burgunder No. 1 2022

Vineyard MICHEL

Baden, Germany, White wine, Weißer Burgunder
0.75 l

12.90 €

17.20 € / liter

Winery F. & F. Peters Nierstein ROTER SCHIEFER Riesling 2021

F. & F. Peters

Rheinhessen, Germany, White wine, Riesling
0.75 l

14.90 €

19.87 € / liter

2. Variation

Salty and acidic cheeses can be harmonised or contrasted

When pairing wine and food, you often have the choice between similar or contrasting flavours. For example, a wine that is fresh, relatively acidic and possibly has a salty component in its flavour is a good match for sheep's cheese or feta in brine. An example of this would be a dry, fresh Saar Riesling. A sweet wine with little acidity, e.g. a Jurançon, would contrast with the salty, acidic flavour of the cheese.

Winery Van Volxem Saar Riesling trocken 2020

Van Volxem

Mosel, Germany, White wine, Riesling
0.75 l

13.50 €

18.00 € / liter

Winery Omina Romana Hermes Diactoros II 2022

Omina Romana

Latium, Colli Albani, Italy, White wine, wine cuvée
0.75 l

18.50 €

24.67 € / liter

Winery Felix Waldkirch Schlossberg Riesling Auslese 2018

Vineyard Felix Waldkirch

Palatinate, Germany, White wine, Riesling
0.75 l

Falstaff: 94

18.90 €

25.20 € / liter

3. Variation

Matured cheeses from goats and sheep

Typically French matured goat's and sheep's cheeses are often rubbed with ash. They have an acidic character with a hint of unripe nuts. If the cheese is relatively young, the wine can also be young and fruity. A classic is Sancerre with Crottin de Chavignol. The older and spicier the cheese, the broader and stronger the white wine can be - Sancerre is also available in mature and very mature varieties.

Family winery Tement Grassnitzberg Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Vineyard Tement

Südsteiermark, Austria, White wine, Sauvignon Blanc
0.75 l

Robert Parker: 96+

44.00 €

58.67 € / liter

Winery Geheimrat J. Wegeler Rüdesheim Berg Rottland Spätlese 2014

Geheimrat J. Wegeler

Rheingau, Germany, White wine, Riesling
0.75 l

38.00 €

50.67 € / liter

BIO

Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont sec 2017

Domaine Huet

Loire, France, White wine, Chenin Blanc
0.75 l

Robert Parker: 95

37.90 €

50.53 € / liter

4. Variation

Soft cheese, charming and creamy

A classic on the cheese board is the creamy soft cheese with white mould. Camembert, Pont l'Eveque or Brie de Meaux harmonise the acidity of the wine. The creamy, fatty type can soften the tannins, but not too much. A red wine that does not contain too much tannin is best. Examples include a Valpolicella, a young Chianti or a young Pinot Noir. A rosé can also go very well.

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Winery Josef Walz JUBILUM Pinot Noir No. 1 2022

Winery Josef Walz

Baden, Germany, Red wine, Pinot Noir
0.75 l

14.90 €

19.87 € / liter

Winery Omina Romana Merlot Rosé 2022

Omina Romana

Latium, Colli Albani, Italy, Rosé wine, Merlot
0.75 l

18.50 €

24.67 € / liter

5. Variation

Red smear, flavourful and full-bodied

The rind of this cow's milk cheese is regularly washed with saline solution or salt water. This prevents the formation of mould. At the same time, a bacterium is extracted from the milk, which is responsible for the colour and tangy flavour. A wine that wants to stand up to this cheese opulence must itself have plenty of strength. Opulent red wines and strong white wines with a higher alcohol content are the order of the day here. A classic with Munster is Gewürztraminer, and a mature Pinot Noir with Epoisses. Here too, cheese and wine from the same region often harmonise best.

Xavier Monnot Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes 2019

Domaine Xavier Monnot

Burgund, France, Red wine, Pinot Noir
0.75 l

93.00 €

124.00 € / liter

BIO

Domaine Trapet Ambre Rouge Pinots Macéré sur B.B.H.M 2020

Domaine Trapet

Elsass, France, Red wine, wine cuvée
0.75 l

33.00 €

44.00 € / liter

6. Variation

Cold-pressed cheeses such as Appenzeller, Gouda or Mimolette

The salt content of these firm cheeses enhances the fruitiness of the wine and at the same time keeps the tannins in check. These cheeses go well with both mature Bordeaux and mature Burgundy wines, whether red or white. Wines from the south of France, which may have a little more alcohol, are also an excellent match.

Château Belair 1er GCC B St. Emilion 2000

Château Bélair-Monange

Bordeaux, France, Red wine, Merlot
0.75 l

99.00 €

132.00 € / liter

Winery Wachter Wiesler Saybritz Blaufränkisch Reserve 2017

Weingut Wachter Wiesler

Eisenberg, Austria, Red wine, Blaufränkisch
0.75 l

Robert Parker: 94+

55.00 €

73.33 € / liter

7. Variation

Warm-pressed cheeses such as Manchego, Comté or Parmigiano

These concentrated cheeses have a high content of salt, fat and umami, a natural flavour enhancer. When the salt crystallises, sweet notes are added. These cheeses harmonise the tannins and go very well with red wines. The combination of mature Parmigiano with expressive champagne is just as excellent.

Champagne Pol Roger Brut Vintage Etui 2013

Champagne Pol Roger

Champagne, France, Champagne, wine cuvée
0.75 l

Robert Parker: 94

72.00 €

96.00 € / liter

Bodegas La Horra Corimbo I 2016

Bodegas La Horra

Ribera del Duero, Spain, Red wine, Tempranillo
0.75 l

Robert Parker: 95

48.00 €

64.00 € / liter

8. Variation

Blue mould and sweet wine create an explosion of flavour

It is an opulent, great combination of cheese and wine. Blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola or Stilton harmonise so well with fruity, sweet wines that you won't want to do without them after the first taste experience. The following applies: the riper, saltier and fattier the cheese infected with Penicillinum glaucum (blue mould), the stronger the wine must be. Roquefort needs a Beerenauslese or Trockenbeerenauslese or a Sauternes, Stilton harmonises best with Ruby Port or Late Bottled Vintage.