Fourme d'Ambert (France)

Fourme d'Ambert

Fourme d'Ambert is one of France's oldest cheeses, it dates from as far back as Roman times. It is is a semi-hard French blue cow cheese from the Auvergne region of France.

Fourme d'Ambert has a distinct, narrow cylindrical shape. It is inoculated with Penicillium roqueforti spores and aged for at least 28 days.

Wine Pairing Fourme d'Ambert

Fourme d’Ambert is one of the gentlest and creamiest French blue cheeses, which makes it far more versatile with wine than stronger blues like Stilton or Roquefort.

Mild blue mold
Creamy texture
Earthy mushroom notes
Subtle sweetness
Lower saltiness

Fourme d'Ambert pairs best with sweet white wines (Sauternes, Monbazillac, Jurançon) which balance its salty blue mold with honeyed, fruity notes.

For contrast, try fortified red wines like Banyuls or Port. It also pairs well with aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer.

Classic Pairings

Sauternes.
Monbazillac or Bergerac Moelleux: These, along with other sweet wines, contrast the saltiness.
Coteaux du Layon: A soft Loire Valley white that offers a perfect balance.
Alsace Wines: Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives.

Local Options

Dry White: A locally matched chardonnay from the Côtes-d'Auvergne pairs well with its creamy texture.
Accompaniments: Enhance the pairing with honey, pear, or walnut bread.

Sweet Wines

Sauternes

The honey and candied fruit notes in a Sauternes are the quintessential match. This sweet white wine from the Bordeaux region of France offers flavors of honey, apricot, and botrytized fruit. Its richness and sweetness can balance the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese, creating a harmonious combination.

Note: Similar wines like Monbazillac or Sainte Croix du Mont are a more affordable alternatives.

Late Harvest Gewürztraminer

Late harvest Gewürztraminer offers intense aromatics, tropical fruit flavors, and a hint of spice. Its sweetness and acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, creating a unique and enjoyable pairing.

Late Harvest Riesling

Late harvest Riesling offers intense aromatics, ripe fruit flavors, and a hint of sweetness. Its acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, while the sweetness complements the cheese's tanginess.

Coteaux du Layon (Loire Valley)

A very sweet white wine made from Chenin Blanc, often paired with older goat cheeses or strong blue cheeses.

Fortified Wines

Banyuls or Maury

Fortified sweet wines from the Roussillon region of France, made from Grenache grapes. Its dark fruit flavors, hints of chocolate, and velvety texture can complement the bold flavors and creamy texture of Fourme d'Ambert.

Tawny Port

Aged Port, a Tawny or Ruby, can be a delightful pairing. The wine's rich flavors of dried fruits, nuts, and caramel, along with its sweetness and smooth texture, will enhance the nuttiness and savory notes of any cheese.

Madeira

Madeira, with its oxidative style and rich flavors of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits, can be an excellent match for Fourme d'Ambert. Look for a medium-dry or medium-sweet Madeira to balance the cheese's saltiness and enhance its creamy texture.

Sweet Wines

Sauternes, Spätlese, Auslese, Tokay or any other late harvest wines, with a bit of residual sugar, will dance with the tanginess and saltiness of Fourme d'Ambert.

Sauternes

A Frenchman would traditionally drink a Sauternes (a luscious, sweet wine from Bordeaux) to pair with aged, salty cheese, particularly Roquefort.

This pairing is considered one of the ultimate French sweet-and-salty combinations, where the intense honey, apricot, and high acidity of the Sauternes balances the pungent, salty funk of blue or long-aged cheeses.

Sauternes

Sauternes is a classic pairing for Fourme d'Ambert. This sweet white wine from the Bordeaux region of France offers flavors of honey, apricot, and botrytized fruit. Its richness and sweetness can balance the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese, creating a harmonious combination.

Note: Similar wines like Monbazillac or Sainte Croix du Mont are a more affordable alternatives.

Late Harvest Gewürztraminer

Late harvest Gewürztraminer offers intense aromatics, tropical fruit flavors, and a hint of spice. Its sweetness and acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, creating a unique and enjoyable pairing.

Late Harvest Riesling

Late harvest Riesling offers intense aromatics, ripe fruit flavors, and a hint of sweetness. Its acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, while the sweetness complements the cheese's tanginess.

Late Harvest Chenin Blanc

Late harvest Chenin Blanc offers flavors of ripe stone fruits, honey, and floral notes. Its sweetness and acidity can balance the cheese's sharpness and enhance its creamy texture, creating a harmonious pairing.

Coteaux du Layon (Loire Valley)

A very sweet white wine made from Chenin Blanc, often paired with older goat cheeses or strong blue cheeses.

Fortified Wines

Banyuls

Banyuls is a fortified sweet wine from the Roussillon region of France, made from Grenache grapes. Its dark fruit flavors, hints of chocolate, and velvety texture can complement the bold flavors and creamy texture of Fourme d'Ambert.

Coteaux du Layon (Loire Valley)

A very sweet white wine made from Chenin Blanc, often paired with older goat cheeses or strong blue cheeses.

Sparkling Wines

Moscato d'Asti

Moscato d'Asti is a sweet and slightly sparkling white wine from Italy, known for its floral aromas and flavors of ripe stone fruits. Its light effervescence and sweetness can balance the sharpness of Fourme d'Ambert, making it an enjoyable pairing.

Lambrusco

This slightly sparkling red wine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, offers a touch of sweetness, bright acidity, and fruity flavors that can balance the richness of Fourme d'Ambertwhile cleansing the palate between the bites.

Red Wines

Full bodied red wines can be a suitable choice if you’re eating Fourme d'Ambert as part of a meal rather than on its own. Anyway, the red wine must be bold, aromatic and savory.

Malbec

Malbec from Argentina is a full-bodied red with notes of black berries and plum. This distinctive flavor profile makes it a great partner for Fourme d'Ambert. Oaked Malbecs also have hints of cocoa, coffee, tobacco and leather, so the complex flavors of Fourme d'Ambertwill not overwhelm the wine. Instead, they marry beautifully.

Cabernet Sauvignon

A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with its rich dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and hints of spice can provide a bold complement to Fourme d'Ambert.

The wine's structure and intensity balances the cheese's creamy texture and enhances its undertones.

Syrah / Shiraz

A bold and fruity Syrah/Shiraz can be a delicious pairing with Fourme d'Ambert. The wine's dark fruit flavors, spicy notes, hints of pepper, and firm tannins complements the cheese's robust flavors.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel, particularly those with jammy fruit flavors and a hint of spice, can complement the richness and complexity of Fourme d'Ambert. The oak, the tannins, the acidity, and the aromas of vanilla and coconut in Zinfandel match the blue cheese without overpowering it.

Sweet Wines

The classic pairing with blue cheese is sweet dessert wine: sweet + fat + salt + umami is delicious.

Sauternes, Spätlese, Auslese, Tokay or any other late harvest wines, with a bit of residual sugar, will dance with the tanginess and saltiness of a ?php echo $cheese ?.

Late harvest Gewürztraminer

Late harvest Gewürztraminer offers intense aromatics, tropical fruit flavors, and a hint of spice. Its sweetness and acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, creating a unique and enjoyable pairing.

Late harvest Riesling

Late harvest Riesling offers intense aromatics, ripe fruit flavors, and a hint of sweetness. Its acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, while the sweetness complements the cheese's tanginess.

Dessert Wines

Sauternes

A Frenchman would traditionally drink a Sauternes (a luscious, sweet wine from Bordeaux) to pair with aged, salty cheese, particularly Roquefort.

This pairing is considered one of the ultimate French sweet-and-salty combinations, where the intense honey, apricot, and high acidity of the Sauternes balances the pungent, salty funk of blue or long-aged cheeses.

Banyuls or Maury

Fortified sweet wines from the Roussillon region of France, made from Grenache grapes. Its dark fruit flavors, hints of chocolate, and velvety texture can complement the bold flavors and creamy texture of Fourme d'Ambert.

Coteaux du Layon (Loire Valley)

A very sweet white wine made from Chenin Blanc, often paired with older goat cheeses or strong blue cheeses.

Sparkling Wines

Moscato d'Asti

Moscato d'Asti is a sweet and slightly sparkling white wine from Italy, known for its floral aromas and flavors of ripe stone fruits. Its light effervescence and sweetness can balance the sharpness of Fourme d'Ambert, making it an enjoyable pairing.

Lambrusco

This slightly sparkling red wine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, offers a touch of sweetness, bright acidity, and fruity flavors that can balance the richness of Fourme d'Ambertwhile cleansing the palate between the bites.

Red Wines

Full bodied red wines can be a suitable choice if you’re eating Fourme d'Ambert as part of a meal rather than on its own. Anyway, the red wine must be bold, aromatic and savory.

Malbec

Malbec from Argentina is a full-bodied red with notes of black berries and plum. This distinctive flavor profile makes it a great partner for Fourme d'Ambert. Oaked Malbecs also have hints of cocoa, coffee, tobacco and leather, so the complex flavors of Fourme d'Ambertwill not overwhelm the wine. Instead, they marry beautifully.

Cabernet Sauvignon

A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with its rich dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and hints of spice can provide a bold complement to Fourme d'Ambert.

The wine's structure and intensity balances the cheese's creamy texture and enhances its undertones.

Syrah / Shiraz

A bold and fruity Syrah/Shiraz can be a delicious pairing with Fourme d'Ambert. The wine's dark fruit flavors, spicy notes, hints of pepper, and firm tannins complements the cheese's robust flavors.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel, particularly those with jammy fruit flavors and a hint of spice, can complement the richness and complexity of Fourme d'Ambert. The oak, the tannins, the acidity, and the aromas of vanilla and coconut in Zinfandel match the blue cheese without overpowering it.

Dessert Wines

Vin Santo

Vin Santo is a sweet dessert wine from Tuscany, often made from dried grapes. Its honeyed flavors and nutty undertones can pair beautifully with Fourme d'Ambert, particularly when served as a dessert pairing.

Sweet Marsala

Sweet Marsala wine from Italy has rich flavors of caramel, dried fruits, and spices. Its sweetness and depth of flavor can complement the bold flavors of Fourme d'Ambert, creating a delightful pairing.

Aged Port

Port wine, particularly a vintage or late bottled vintage (LBV) Port, can be a delicious pairing with Fourme d'Ambert. The wine's rich, fruity flavors, and sweetness complements the cheese's intense flavor and creamy texture, enhancing its complexity. The older the Port is, the stronger the cheese can be.

Pedro Ximénez Sherry

Sweet (not dry) Sherry works well with blue cheese. Pedro Ximénez or Cream Sherry, with their rich, sweet flavors of raisins, caramel, and nuts, are both delightful pairings with Fourme d'Ambert. The sweetness in the wine balances the saltiness in the cheese and enhances the creamy cheese texture.

Madeira

Madeira, with its oxidative style and rich flavors of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits, can be an excellent match for Fourme d'Ambert. Look for a medium-dry or medium-sweet Madeira to balance the cheese's saltiness and enhance its creamy texture.

Sweet Wines

Late harvest wines like Spätlese, Auslese, and Tokay, with a bit of residual sugar will dance with the tanginess and saltiness of a blue cheese.

Sauternes

Sauternes is a classic pairing for Fourme d'Ambert. This sweet white wine from the Bordeaux region of France offers flavors of honey, apricot, and botrytized fruit. Its richness and sweetness can balance the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese, creating a harmonious combination.

Note: Similar wines like Monbazillac or Sainte Croix du Mont are a more affordable alternatives.

Late harvest Gewürztraminer

Late harvest Gewürztraminer offers intense aromatics, tropical fruit flavors, and a hint of spice. Its sweetness and acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, creating a unique pairing.

Late harvest Riesling

Late harvest Riesling offers intense aromatics, ripe fruit flavors, and a hint of sweetness. Its acidity can provide a refreshing contrast to the pungency of Fourme d'Ambert, while the sweetness complements the cheese's tanginess.

Late harvest Chenin Blanc

Late harvest Chenin Blanc offers flavors of ripe stone fruits, honey, and floral notes. Its sweetness and acidity can balance the cheese's sharpness and enhance its creamy texture, creating a harmonious pairing.

Sparkling Wines

Moscato d'Asti

Moscato d'Asti is a sweet and slightly sparkling white wine from Italy, known for its floral aromas and flavors of ripe stone fruits. Its light effervescence and sweetness can balance the sharpness of Fourme d'Ambert, making it an enjoyable pairing.

Lambrusco

This slightly sparkling red wine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, offers a touch of sweetness, bright acidity, and fruity flavors that can balance the richness of Fourme d'Ambertwhile cleansing the palate between the bites.

Red Wines

Full bodied red wines can be a suitable choice if you’re eating blue cheese as part of a meal rather than on its own.

Barolo

An excellent Italian Nebbiolo, particularly in the form of Barolo or Barbaresco, offers complex flavors of cherry, rose, and earth, along with firm tannins and high acidity that can stand up to the richness of Fourme d'Ambert.

Malbec

Malbec from Argentina is a full-bodied red with notes of black berries and plum. This distinctive flavor profile makes it a great partner for Fourme d'Ambert. Oaked Malbecs also has hints of cocoa, coffee, tobacco and leather, so the complex flavors of Fourme d'Ambertwill not overwhelm the wine. Instead, they marry together beautifully.

Cabernet Sauvignon

A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with its rich dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and hints of spice can provide a bold complement to Fourme d'Ambert.

The wine's structure and intensity can balance the cheese's creamy texture and enhance its nutty undertones.

Syrah / Shiraz

A bold and fruity Syrah/Shiraz can be a delicious pairing with Gorgonzola. The wine's dark fruit flavors, spicy notes, and firm tannins complements the cheese's robust flavors.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel, particularly those with jammy fruit flavors and a hint of spice, can complement the richness and complexity of Fourme d'Ambert. The oak, the tannins, the acidity, and the aromas of vanilla and coconut in Zinfandel match the blue cheese without overpowering it.

Personal Preferences

Enjoy your wine and cheese with local fruits nuts and bread!

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.

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