W3 Wine School

Cheese & Wine Pairing

Soft Cheese

Wine Pairing Soft Cheese

Pairing soft cheeses with wine, requires finding a balance between the wine, the creamy texture and the delicate flavor of the cheese.


Sparkling Wines

Sparkling wines such as Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava can be excellent choices for soft cheeses. 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)

White Wines

Soft cheeses require light-bodied wines with crisp acidity to provide a refreshing contrast to the cheese, without overpowering its delicate flavor:

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Dry Riesling (Germany)
  • Chenin Blanc Dry (France)
  • Pinot Grigio (Italy)
  • Chablis (France)
  • Albariño (Spain)

Rosé Wines

Dry rosé wines with vibrant acidity and fruity notes can be delightful with soft cheeses.

Seek out rosés with fruity or floral characteristics:

  • 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.


Red wines

If you prefer red wine, go for light-bodied and low-tannin options that will not overwhelm the cheese.

These wines offer fruity flavors and a soft texture that complements the creaminess of the cheese:

  • Pinot Noir (France)
  • Beaujolais (France)
  • Cabernet Franc (France)
  • Barbera (Italy)
  • Valpolicella (Italy)

Dessert Wines

Some soft cheeses also pair well with sweet wines, especially those with a bit of acidity.

The sweetness of these wines can enhance the flavors of the cheese without overwhelming it:

  • Moscato d'Asti (Italy)
  • Off-Dry Riesling (Germany)
  • Gewürztraminer (France)
  • White Port (Portugal)
  • Fino Sherry (Spain)

Personal Preferences

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.

Wine and Cheese

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

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

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.

Clara Peeters Still Life

Clara Peeters - Still Life with Cheeses, Almonds and Pretzels 1615


Alcohol can be addictive. Always drink in moderation.

© Copyright 2015-2025 W3 Wine School. All Rights Reserved.