The 10 Best Cheese and Wine Pairings of All Time + Expert Tips from a Sommelier
Wondering whether to pair red or white wine with cheese? The answer is: both! The best wine for cheese depends on the style of cheese you're working with—and this post will help you understand why.
Along with ten must try cheese and wine pairings, I’m also sharing my tried and true food and wine pairing techniques that will not only help you pair wine with cheese, but you’ll also develop a better understanding of wine and food pairing as a whole.
From the delicate bubbles of champagne paired with the creaminess of brie, to the rich umami flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano to complement Chianti Classico’s bold tannins, these to-die-for wine and cheese pairings are sure to elevate your next wine night or dinner party.
The 10 Best Cheese and Wine Pairings of All Time + Expert Tips from a Sommelier
Food and wine are meant to be enjoyed together. Sipping wine without a bite alongside is a very New World concept.
Have you ever visited a wine bar in Europe and been served a snack plate you didn’t even order? That’s because in Old World tradition, wine isn’t just meant to stand alone—it’s made to taste better with food.
Old World wines are often higher in acidity, lower in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit than New World wines. These characteristics make them incredibly food-friendly and capable of transforming into something magical with the right pairing.
Before we dive into the best cheese and wine pairings of all time, here are a few go-to tips to help you pair cheese and wine at home.
TIPS FOR PAIRING CHEESE AND WINE
Cheese is wine’s best friend—and when the pairing is right, it’s hard to beat.
There are a few guidelines that can help you land those mind-blowing pairings. That said, if you're not a big rule-follower, drink what you love and eat what you love—you’ll still have a good time.
But if you are looking to dial in your pairings, here are the basic principles I swear by:
1. What grows together goes together
If you’ve joined any of my virtual or in-person wine tasting events, you’ve probably heard me talk about this one a few times. This is my favorite food and wine pairing rule because it brings everything full circle: it’s about experience.
“Terroir”—a French term meaning “sense of place”—refers to all the environmental and human factors that shape wine and food: soil, climate, topography, and tradition.
When you enjoy a wine from a particular region, chances are the local cuisine is a perfect match. Think Chianti Classico with red-sauce pasta, or Sancerre with goat cheese.
Traveling through taste is one of the best ways to explore.
2. Match flavor intensities
The wine shouldn’t overpower the cheese, and the cheese shouldn’t overpower the wine. You want harmony—each component making the other taste even better.
As a general rule, white wines pair better with soft cheeses, and red wines with harder cheeses. That’s because both the textures and flavors align: soft cheeses and white wines tend to be more delicate, while hard cheeses and red wines are bolder.
Exceptions exist—especially with strong-flavored soft cheeses like brie or blue—but this guideline works more often than not.
3. Match flavor profiles
This one takes a bit more trial and error, especially with new wines or cheeses. But pay attention to aromas and tasting notes and try to match them.
If a wine has nutty or earthy tones, look for a cheese with similar characteristics. That’s why I love Pinot Noir with Gruyère—it’s an earthy-on-earthy pairing that just works.
You can also go the opposite route. Sometimes, pairing a stinky cheese with a fruity wine creates a delicious contrast, bringing balance and complexity.
4. Match acidity levels
Similar to matching the flavor intensities of wine and cheese, you also want to match acidity levels. If one is more acidic than the other, the wine will taste flat and the cheese will taste dull.
For example, Sauvignon Blanc and goat cheese work so well together partly because they both have high acidity, which keeps the pairing bright and energetic.
5. Acid loves fat
High-acid wines also pair beautifully with fatty, creamy cheeses. The acid acts as a palate cleanser, cutting through the richness of the cheese. And in return, the cheese can soften the wine’s acidity, creating a more mellow experience.
6. When in doubt, bubbles work!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - sparkling wine is one of the most versatile wines when it comes to food and wine pairing, thanks to its high acidity and palate-cleansing bubbles.
Now that you know the basics, let’s get into the best cheese and wine pairings of all time. These combos work for a variety of reasons, and I’ve listed the pairing principles that help explain why.
P.S. Want to experience these in real life? Book a wine tasting with me and select the “Wine and Cheese Pairing” theme. We’ll explore some of these pairings and find out why they work so well.
THE BEST WHITE WINE AND CHEESE PAIRINGS
1. Champagne + Brie
Rules: Acid loves fat, sparkling wine goes with everything
Brie is creamy, fatty, and rich—and Champagne is the perfect counterpoint. The acidity and bubbles act like a reset button for your palate between bites. While Champagne is the classic, feel free to try this with Cava, Crémant, or even a good-quality Prosecco.
2. Sauvignon Blanc + Goat Cheese
Rules: What grows together, goes together; matched acidity
Sauvignon Blanc and goat cheese both originated in western France. While it’s confirmed goat cheese hails from the Loire Valley, it’s unclear if Sauvignon Blanc was born here or in Bordeaux. However, Sauv Blanc is widely produced in this region, along with goat cheese and that’s a big reason why this pairing works so well.
Although it’s soft and creamy on the palate, goat cheese is more acidic than you’d expect, which is why it can match this thirst-quenching white wine perfectly. Additionally, the creaminess of the cheese softens the zippiness of the wine, making it even easier to drink—this is one of those “ah-ha” pairings I love sharing!
3. Assyrtiko + Feta Cheese
Rules: What grows together, goes together; matched acidity
This Greek classic is as close to perfection as it gets. Think: Assyrtiko with a tomato and cucumber salad, topped with feta and fresh oregano. The crisp acidity of the wine mirrors that of the cheese, while its minerality enhances the dish’s freshness.
If Assyrtiko’s stingy acidity is too much on its own, pair it with some feta to round out the palate—trust me, your mind will be blown.
the best red wine and cheese pairings
4. Pinot Noir + Gruyere
Rules: Matching flavor components
Pinot can be delightfully funky—earth, forest floor, even mushrooms. Gruyère shares those earthy, nutty notes, creating a layered, savory pairing. Bonus: the wine’s red fruit notes pop when paired with the umami depth of the cheese.
5. Cabernet Sauvignon + Aged Cheddar
Rules: Matching flavor intensity
Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold red wine that can often be overpowering if not paired with intensely flavored foods. You’ll notice that when served with a powerful cheese like aged cheddar, Cabernet tends to soften - the tannins become smoother and the alcohol doesn’t burn as much. Additionally, aged cheddar has a specific saltiness to it that makes the rich black fruits of the Cabernet Sauvignon pop. It’s lovely.
6. Malbec + Blue Cheese
Rules: Matching flavor intensity
Malbec is one of the few wines that can pair seamlessly with blue cheese. Blue cheese can often be too pungent for wine, but because of Malbec’s bold flavors and short finish, this is a match made in heaven. You’ll find the wine tastes fruitier, rounder, and more plush next to the funk of blue.
7. Barolo + Truffle Cheese
Rules: What grows together, goes together; matching flavor profiles and intensity
Terroir plays a big role when it comes to finding the best wine and food pairings. Barolo is a wine made from the grape Nebbiolo, from Italy's region of Piedmont, which happens to be home to some of the country’s best truffles.
Likely due to the terroir, Barolo can often exhibit a truffle aroma amongst the other flavors of red fruits, tar, and roses. When paired with truffle cheese, the truffly, earthy notes of the wine will shine, making it one of the most complex and interesting wines…hence the hefty price tag.
Note: If you’re in the mood for a Barolo but don’t have the budget for it, try a Langhe Nebbiolo. It’s not as thought-provoking as Barolo, but it’s approachable and definitely more affordable.
Since truffle can be one of the most intense flavors, it needs a wine with power to complement. The earthy truffle notes in both wine and cheese elevate each other, while Barolo’s tannins soften beautifully.
8. Chianti Classico + Parmigiano Reggiano
Rules: What grows together, goes together
This is one of the most iconic Italian pairings. The salty, nutty parm tones down Sangiovese’s tannins and makes the red cherry fruit sing. Simple and timeless.
9. Tempranillo + Manchego
Rules: What grows together, goes together
From Spain, this classic pairing is full of flavor and heritage. Tempranillo’s structure and spice balance beautifully with the buttery, nutty depth of Manchego. The salty cheese highlights the wine’s rich fruits and baking spices.
10. Port + Blue Cheese
Rules: Matching flavor intensity
If you’re like me and love a French-inspired cheese-for-dessert kind of evening, this sweet wine and cheese pairing is it. The salt and funk of the blue cheese meets the sweet, high-alcohol boldness of Port in a perfect balance. It’s indulgent, elegant, and a stunning way to end a meal.
I hope these cheese and wine pairings inspire your next cheese and charcuterie board, with wine pairings to match! Your guests will be ever so impressed.
If you enjoyed this post and are interested in learning more about wine and food pairing, you might like this Melon, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella Salad Paired with Vinho Verde White and Rosé Wines. And be sure to follow me on Instagram for more wine and food pairings, winery recommendations, and wine travel tips.
If you enjoy exploring new wines, learning about underrated regions, discovering incredible small producers, and tasting with the winemakers themselves, I'd love to see you at any of these upcoming virtual wine tasting events.
