Ten Epic Cheese and Wine Pairings
to get the tastebuds talking!
There have been many great partnerships in the world—Torvill & Dean, Han Solo and Chewbacca, Wallace and Gromit to name but a few….
Few could argue, though, that there aren’t many better than cheese and wine.
Why does cheese and wine work so well together? Well, I’m not going to give you the scientific breakdown because it stinks. Let’s agree that it just does! (I found this breakdown helpful if you do want to know why).
After my extensive research, thanks to Fine Cheese Company, many a press tasting (special mention to Waitrose) and home experimentations - here are the matches that completely knocked my Christmas socks off.
Fine Cheese Company - Chaource x Champagne
Damn, this cheese is good—very good. Unanimously popular with all whom I have tried it with. Chaource is a super soft French cheese that has been made in Burgundy since the Middle Ages, it owes its long, slow set to the farmers’ historical tradition of leaving their morning milk to rest while they went out to tend their grapes. It’s melt-in-the-mouth stuff and a ridiculously great match with a grower Champagne (where the producer grows the grapes and makes the wine (unlike the big brands)).
My wine recommendation: Seckford wines - Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blancs Reserve Brut, NV £217.24 per case (£36.21 per bottle)
Fine Cheese Company - Gorgonzola – Oaked Chardonnay or White Rioja
Oooooosh - this gorgo is rich, less on the creamy side and more on the blue side, but talks a fantastic language. I tried this with a few reds, but it was the Chardonnay and white Rioja which really stood out. The oak in the wine complements the cheese's creamy, nutty background working well with the gloopy goodness. Leeu Passant in particular is a wine that deserves to be shouted about if you’re looking for a special option.
My wine recommendation 1: VINVM - Leeu Passant, Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2021, South Africa £64.30
My wine recommendation 2: Majestic Wine - Muga, Rioja, Blanco, Spain £12.99 £14.99
Fine Cheese Company - Étoile de Gâtine x Sauvignon Blanc
Stick with me on this one… If you don’t like Sauvignon Blanc and you don’t like goat’s cheese (or if you do), then try this combo! Both have elevated acidity that balances each other out, bringing out all those fantastic base flavours that transport you into a whole new world of texture and taste. Made at a tiny dairy in Verruyes, these unique little cheese stars are a touch of class. For a completely unique experience also check out the third option below. Verdil, is a rare white grape variety native to the Valencia region of Spain and is a sublime match.
My wine recommendation 1: Majestic Wine - Domaine Merlin Cherrier, Sancerre Blanc, France £19.99 £23.99
My wine recommendation 2: Tesco - Saint Clair Prospector Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand £16 (25% off this price currently)
My wine recommendation 3: Export Spain - Finca Enguera, Verdil, Spain £12.30
Fine Cheese Company - Pitchfork Cheddar x Malbec
Ah… good old Cheddar. Britain’s most popular cheese. I always think the best time to level up and spend a little more on one of life’s luxuries is when you know that product really well. The Pitchfork is loved by many a cheesemonger I’ve visited, and that’s why it makes my list. I tried this with a number of wines, but it was the Malbec that proved to be the most delicious teammate.
My wine recommendation: Chakana, Ayni, Malbec, Argentina, 2019 £25.95
M&S - Manchego Curado x Rioja
Rioja sits in its own space with that signature sweet oakiness running through the wine. This means it pairs perfectly with that nutty, tangy brilliance of Manchego. I’ve enjoyed this match several times and it’s never let me down.
My wine recommendation 1: Waitrose - Muga Selección Especial Reserva, Rioja, Spain £27.99
My wine recommendation 2: Waitrose - Cune Rioja Reserva, Spain £13.49 (25% off this price currently)
ALDI - Emporium Mini Roulé x Cabernet Franc
This is a fantastic little marriage to pick up if you’re an Aldi shopper. The Cab Franc has that slight herbal burst and compliments the texture and pepperiness of this soft and moreish cheese. I’d recommend giving the wine some chill time and the cheese some air time.
My wine recommendation: Aldi - Specially, Selected Cabernet Franc, Australia £9.99
Fine Cheese Company - Mont D'Or – Beaujolais
This really has become the king/queen of cheeses. A chilled, lighter wine works well here because going heavy on heavy can be a little OTT. I’d consider a Cru Beaujolais as a fantastic option, and you really can’t go too far wrong with my old favourite friend, Château de Pizay, which offers a slightly fuller take on this fantastic style.
Cheese in the oven for 45 minutes at around 140. Good friends or family (no bad ones allowed). Great wine. Crostini or a good baguette. Night sorted!
My wine recommendation: Majestic Wine - Château de Pizay Morgon, Beaujolais, France £13.99 £15.99
Waitrose - Mountain Comte – Vin Jaune
A few of my Insta followers said they’d kill me if I didn’t include this pairing (you’ve got to be careful these days). That shows what a great partnership these two make. Strong, mature Comté harmonises in an almost spectacular way with Vin Jaune thanks to its saltiness. Like Comté, Vin Jaune wines are matured in barrels under a veil of yeast, giving them a very distinctive oxidative, nutty, salty character. A true Vin Jaune must be aged for at least 6 years and 3 months before being bottled in the iconic 62cl clavelin. Seek out these two, and you’re in for a whole lot of pleasure. Ok this option isn’t cheap but it’s worth its weight in gold! If you’re looking for something more reasonably priced then go for the very underrated Sherry option.
My wine recommendation 1: Hedonism - Vin Jaune Dugois 2016, France £55.10
My wine recommendation 2: Waitrose - No.1, Torre del Oro, Palo Cortado, Lustau Sherry, Spain £13.99 (25% off this price currently)
Fine Cheese Company - Colston Bassett Stilton x Port
If you didn’t read my Port recommendations article from last week, then what the hell have you been doing??? Only joking… Take a look at the article, pick one of the LBV or vintage reds, and you’ll be in a seriously great place. The Colston Bassett Stilton is the only remaining exclusively hand-ladled Stilton and was highly recommended by my cheesy friend. Top-class Stilton with a top-class Port—the most iconic pairing of them all, and for very good reason.
My Port Recommendations: Port - What to Know, What to Buy, and What to Love
Waitrose - Cropwell Bishop Stilton x Dessert Wine
Instead of eating a traditional breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sit down with one piece of blue cheese and a glass of dessert wine and take in all the beauty. You can’t go wrong with Royal Tokaji, especially at this price.
My wine recommendation: Waitrose - Royal Tokaji, Blue Label, 5 Puttonyos Aszú, Hungary £14.99
If you have any pairings to share of your own, please leave them in the comments for us all to enjoy.
Cheers, Luke
P.S. Apologies for any typos or grammatical errors—this content is entirely my own work, as always.
Ah what about the Wensleydale Grommet....Picpoul de Pinet peut tetre?