Wine Pairing
Jarlsberg (Norway)
Jarlsberg is a semi-soft Cow cheese from Jarlsberg in Norway.
It is Norwegian Emmentaler cheese with large regular holes.
Jarlsberg is a mild, semi-soft Norwegian cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor profile. When selecting wines to pair with Jarlsberg cheese, you will want to consider its mildness and nuttiness.
Our favorite wine pairing is Riesling Spätlese.
White Wines
Riesling Spätlese (Late Harvest)
This off-dry Riesling can provide a touch of sweetness to complement the mild nuttiness of Jarlsberg. The wine's vibrant acidity and floral aromas enhance the cheese's flavors while adding a refreshing contrast.
Jarlsberg’s subtle sweetness works naturally with Riesling’s fruit purity and acidity. Dry Riesling creates a clean, refreshing contrast, while slightly off-dry versions emphasize the cheese’s buttery and nutty side.
Chardonnay
One of the classic pairings for Jarlsberg.
Jarlsberg has a semi-firm texture with buttery, nutty, and slightly sweet flavors that resemble Alpine-style cheeses. A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements these qualities beautifully. The wine’s creamy texture mirrors the cheese, while notes of butter, hazelnut, and ripe apple echo Jarlsberg’s mellow nuttiness.
Balanced acidity is important because it keeps the pairing fresh and prevents the combination from feeling overly rich.
Look for a Chardonnay with flavors of ripe apple or pear for the best match.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon BlancA fresher and more contrasting pairing.
Jarlsberg is smooth and slightly sweet, and Sauvignon Blanc adds brightness and structure through high acidity and citrus-driven freshness. The wine sharpens the cheese’s creamy texture while adding herbal and mineral energy.
Look for a Sauvignon Blanc with herbaceous notes to enhance the pairing. Loire Valley styles create the most elegant pairing because they remain restrained and mineral rather than aggressively tropical.
Grüner Veltliner
A particularly elegant option.
Grüner Veltliner combines citrus freshness, minerality, and subtle peppery spice that work very well with Jarlsberg’s mild sweetness and nutty flavor. The wine brings clarity and lift without becoming sharp or aggressive.
This pairing feels very refined and balanced.
Gewürztraminer
An aromatic white wine like Gewürztraminer from Alsace can pair nicely with Jarlsberg. Its floral and spicy notes can complement the cheese's creaminess.
Rosé Wines
A dry or slightly off-dry rosé can provide a versatile pairing option for Jarlsberg. The crisp acidity and red fruit flavors of rosé wine can balance the cheese's creaminess while adding a refreshing touch to the pairing.
Pinot Noir Rosé
A light Pinot Noir Rosé with red fruit flavors and a bright acidity can complement Jarlsberg without overwhelming it.
Zinfandel Rosé
White Zinfandel balances dryness with a moderate sweetness. This makes it a great wine for pairing with basically any of your favourite soft cheeses.
Red Wines
Beaujolais
Beaujolais is a light-bodied red wine with fruity flavors of red berries and a soft, approachable character. Its low tannins and vibrant fruitiness can complement the mildness of Jarlsberg without overwhelming its subtle flavors.
A lively and approachable pairing.
Gamay’s juicy fruit, low tannins, and bright acidity complement Jarlsberg naturally. The cheese softens the wine’s youthful energy, while the wine prevents the cheese from feeling too buttery or dense.
This pairing feels relaxed, vibrant, and very food-friendly.
Pinot Noir
One of the safest and best red wine pairings.
Jarlsberg is too delicate for large tannic reds, but Pinot Noir’s soft tannins and bright acidity work beautifully. The wine’s red fruit and earthy undertones add depth without masking the cheese’s creamy nuttiness.
Cool-climate Pinot Noir is especially successful because freshness has the focus.
Merlot
A soft and fruity red wine like Merlot can be a surprisingly good match for Jarlsberg. Merlot's ripe plum and cherry flavors, along with its smooth tannins, can complement the cheese's creamy texture and enhance its flavors.
Barbera
This Italian red wine, known for its bright acidity, fruity flavors, and soft tannins, pairs wonderfully with Jarlsberg. Its acidity helps cut through the cheese's creaminess, while its fruity notes complement the cheese flavors.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines pair beautifully with Jarlsberg because the acidity and bubbles refresh the palate while highlighting the cheese’s creamy texture. The wine’s toast and brioche notes also complement Jarlsberg’s nutty character naturally.Jarlsberg
Blanc de Blancs styles create a fresher expression, while richer vintage sparkling wines enhance the cheese’s buttery depth.
Blanc de Blanc
A dry Champagne or a dry Cremant with its toasty notes and lively bubbles will enhance the flavors of Jarlsberg and elevate the tasting experience.
Prosecco
The bubbles and acidity of Prosecco cleanses the palate between the bites of cheese, making it a delightful pairing option for Jarlsberg.
Dessert Wines
Pairing dessert wines with semi-soft cheeses can be a delightful culinary experience, as the right wine can complement the creamy texture and mild to pungent flavors of the cheese. Here are some top recommendations for dessert wine pairings with semi-soft cheeses:
Sauternes
This sweet French wine from Bordeaux is excellent with Jarlsberg, especially those that are a bit tangy or have a bloomy rind. The lush, sweet characteristics of Sauternes can balance the creaminess of the cheese.
Muscat
A sweet Muscat offers floral aromatics and a lighter sweetness that can lift the flavors of a creamy semi-soft cheese without overwhelming it.
Fortified Wines
Pairing fortified wines with semi-soft cheeses can create delightful contrasts and harmonies in flavor and texture.
Tawny Port
The oxidative aging process of Tawny Port imparts rich flavors of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits, which can complement the creamy, often buttery notes of semi-soft cheeses. Its sweetness can also balance any slight saltiness in the cheese.
Ruby Port
The fruity and vibrant profile of Ruby Port, with its hints of berry and chocolate, pairs well with the smooth textures and milder flavors of semi-soft cheeses, especially those with a subtle sweetness.
Sherry Amontillado
With its nuanced balance of nuttiness and dryness, Amontillado Sherry works beautifully with semi-soft cheeses. Its complex flavors can enhance the mild and creamy characteristics of the cheese without overwhelming them.
Madeira
Depending on the style, Madeira can range from dry to sweet. A medium-dry Madeira, like Verdelho, combines well with semi-soft cheeses by offering a balance of sweetness and acidity that can cut through the creamines.
Personal Preferences
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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:
- Crusty Bread and Crackers
- Nuts, Peanuts and Fries
- Grapes and Berries
- Olives and Garlic
- Figs and Rasins
- Apple and Honey
- Sliced Pear
- Dark Chocolate
- Rosemary and Thyme
Clara Peeters - Still Life with Cheeses, Almonds and Pretzels 1615
If it Grows Together
If it grows together it goes together.
Pairing locally is a great way to learn more about wine and cheese:
France
Chèvre from Loire is great with Sauvignon Blanc from Loire.
Munster from Alsace is great with Gewürztraminer from Alsace.
French Sauternes with French Roquefort.
Italy
Strong Gorgonzola pairs perfectly with Barolo.
Pecorino pairs well with Chanti.
Pino Grigio goes well with Mozzarella.
Spain
Manchego is gorgeous both with Cava and Rioja.
Alpine
Alpine wines were made with dishes like Raclette in mind.