Wine Pairing

in her 2010 book "Cheese: Exploring Taste and Tradition", Patricia Michelson says: "Chaource has a bitter nutshell-like flavor, with an earthiness reminiscent of the style of the wine here. You should be careful to find the perfect flavor partner, however, because the cheese is also on the salty side."

Our favourite pairing is Blanc de Blanc.

Pairing wine with soft cheeses requires finding a balance between the creamy texture and often delicate flavors of the cheese. Here are some excellent options to complement Chaource:

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Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines are incredible with Chaource. The bubbles cleanse the palate between bites, while the acidity complements the creaminess of the cheese. Go for something light and dry:

• Blanc de Blanc
• Prosecco (Italy)
• Cava (Spain)
• Espumante (Portugal)
• Sekt (Germany)

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White Wines

Choose a light-bodied white wine with crisp acidity. These wines will not overpower the delicate flavors of a soft cheese, but provide a refreshing contrast.

Chablis (France)

A light Chablis with flavors of lemon, apple, pear, and a touch minerals pairs beautifully with Chaource.

Pinot Grigio (Italy)

A classic white wine pairing for Chaource is Pinot Grigio. Look for a Pinot Grigio with bright acidity, citrus flavors, and a clean, crisp finish. The wine's freshness and subtle fruitiness complement the cheese's creamy texture without overwhelming its delicate flavor.

Albariño (Spain)

Soft cheeses like Chaource, semi-hard cheeses, and salty feta cheeses are all perfect complements to Albariño.

Sauvignon Blanc

A crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with citrusy and herbaceous flavors can provide a nice contrast to the creamy texture of Chaource. Look for Sauvignon Blancs with lively acidity and notes of lemon, lime, and green apple.

Gewürztraminer

Aromatic and slightly sweet Gewürztraminer can be a surprising but delicious pairing with Chaource. Look for a Gewürztraminer with floral and tropical fruit notes. The wine's sweetness balances the cheese's mild flavor, while its aromatic qualities enhance the overall tasting experience.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc offers a range of styles, from dry to sweet, but its bright acidity and fruity character make it a versatile choice for pairing with soft and fresh cheese.

Semi-Sweet White Wines

If you prefer sweeter wines, consider pairing Chaource with a semi-sweet white wine. Some soft cheeses pair well with sweet wines, especially those with a bit of acidity. The sweetness of these wines can enhance the flavors of Chaource without overwhelming it:

• Moscato d'Asti (Italy)
• Off-Dry Riesling (Germany)

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Rosé Wines

Dry rosé wines, particularly those with bright acidity and fruit-forward flavors, pairs well with Chaource. The wine's crispness and fruitiness complement the cheese's creaminess, making for a refreshing and balanced pairing.

• Pinot Noir Rosé
• Grenache Rosé
• Zinfandel Rosé

Zinfandel rosé is a special choice. It offers a balance that combines dryness and moderate sweetness. This balance makes it a great rosé for pairing with basically any cheese.

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Red Wines

If you prefer red wine, go for light-bodied and low-tannin options that will not overwhelm the cheese. Light wines can offer fruity flavors and a soft texture that complements the creaminess of Chaource.

Beaujolais

A light-bodied red wine like Beaujolais, made from Gamay grapes, can complement the creamy texture of Chaource without overpowering its flavors.

Beaujolais wines typically offer fruity notes of cherry and raspberry, along with soft tannins and refreshing acidity.

Pinot Noir

A light-bodied Pinot Noir with red fruit flavors, silky tannins, and a bright acidity is a nice match for Chaource. The wine's fruity and earthy notes complements the cheese's delicate flavor without overpowering it.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is a light-bodied wine with and moderate tannins. It has notes of red fruits, herbs, and jalapeno. These flavors are delicious alongside creamy cheeses, and the good acidity contrasts the creaminess of Chaource perfectly.

Merlot

A soft and fruity red wine like Merlot can be a surprisingly good match for Chaource. Merlot's ripe plum and cherry flavors, along with its smooth tannins, complements the cheese's creamy texture and enhance its flavors.

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Dessert Wines

Soft Cheeses also pair well with white dessert wines:

• White Port (Portugal)
• Fino Sherry (Spain)

Personal Preferences

As always, personal preferences play a significant role in wine and cheese pairings, so don't hesitate to experiment to find the combination that suits your taste buds best.

Additionally, consider adding some accompaniments like fruit, nuts, or bread to enhance the pairing experience:

• Crusty Bread and Crackers
• Nuts, Peanuts and Fries
• Grapes and Berries
• Olives and Garlic
• Figs and Rasins
• Slised Apple and Pear
• Dark Chocolate
• Rosemary and Thyme

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Grows Together Goes Together

If it grows together it goes together.

Pairing locally is a great way to learn more about wine and cheese:

France

• Goat cheese from Loire is great with Sauvignon Blanc from Loire.
• Munster from Alsace is great with Gewürztraminer from Alsace.

Italy

• Strong Italian Gorgonzola pairs perfectly with Italian Barolo.
• Pecorino pairs well with Chanti.
• Pino Grigio goes well with Mozzarella.

Spain

• Spanish Manchego is gorgeous both with Cava and Spanish Rioja.