Roquefort (France)
Roquefort is a blue Sheep cheese from the south of France.
Wine Pairing Roquefort
Roquefort is aged in natural caves. It has a creamy texture with veins of blue mold running throughout, giving it a pungent and complex flavor profile. When selecting wines to pair with Roquefort, it is essential to consider its intense flavors and creamy texture.
Our favorite wine pairing is Sauternes. Another great favorite is Red Port.
Fortified Wines
Aged Port
Port wine, particularly a vintage or late bottled vintage (LBV) Port, can be a delicious pairing with Roquefort. 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.
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 Roquefort.
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
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 Roquefort.
Coteaux du Layon (Loire Valley)
A very sweet white wine made from Chenin Blanc, often paired with older goat cheeses or strong blue cheeses.
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 Roquefort, while the sweetness complements the cheese's tanginess.
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.