Guide Pairing Cheese
Chapter 2 of 5
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Wine

Chapter 2 of 53 min readUpdated October 2026
In this guide
  1. 1How pairing works
  2. 2Wine
  3. 3Beer, cider and spirits
  4. 4Fruit, nuts, honey and jam
  5. 5Bread, crackers and charcuterie

Key takeaways

  • Crisp whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio) and sparkling wine (Champagne) suit fresh and soft cheeses.
  • Fuller reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah) suit aged hard cheeses.
  • Sweet wines like port or Sauternes are the classic partner for blue cheese.
  • Camembert goes with most wines.

What the wine words mean

Pairing advice uses a few descriptions over and over. Here they are with examples from the chart below:

  • Sparkling: Champagne.
  • Crisp whites: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio/Gris. A dry Riesling is crisp too.
  • A richer white: Chardonnay.
  • A light red: Pinot Noir.
  • Medium-bodied reds: Merlot and Chianti.
  • Fuller, bolder reds: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah/Shiraz.

Crisp whites and sparkling wine

Fresh, tangy cheeses such as goat cheese go well with crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, or with Champagne. Their acidity (and the bubbles in Champagne) cleanse your palate between bites. Creamy, bloomy rind cheeses like Brie and Camembert both have Champagne and Pinot Grigio on the chart, and Camembert goes with Chardonnay as well.

Reds

Match the weight of the red to the cheese. A light red like Pinot Noir is a good fit for Camembert. Semi-firm cheeses like Gouda and cheddar are happy with a wider range, from Pinot Grigio and Riesling to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged hard cheeses stand up to fuller, bolder reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, partly because the fat in the cheese balances the tannin. If you are not sure what tannins are, see What are tannins in wine?.

Sweet wines

Blue cheeses are salty, and sweet wines such as port or a dessert wine balance that salt. It is a classic pairing for a reason.

Cheese and wine at a glance

This is the pairing chart I made years ago, using wines you can find in a regular supermarket. A glass means the wine works with that cheese. The columns run from crisper to richer whites, then lighter to fuller reds. Tap the chart to see it full size.

Chart of which wines go with 14 cheeses, with a glass wherever a wine suits the cheese. Sparkling and white wines, from crisper to richer: Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay. Reds, from lighter to fuller: Pinot Noir, Chianti, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon. The full list by cheese is under the chart.
See the pairings as a list
  • Aged Gouda: Champagne, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chianti, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cheddar: Champagne, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Camembert: Champagne, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Goat/Chevre: Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz
  • Parmesan: Champagne, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Blue: Champagne, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Gruyere: Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot
  • Brie: Champagne, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Swiss: Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling
  • Havarti: Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling
  • Feta: Pinot Grigio/Gris, Pinot Noir
  • Manchego: Chardonnay, Merlot
  • Provolone: Chardonnay, Chianti
  • Mozzarella: Pinot Grigio/Gris, Chianti

Try a local match

Wines and cheeses from the same place often go well together. Murcia al Vino, a goat cheese from Spain with a rind soaked in red wine, is a natural partner for a Spanish red.

Common questions about this chapter

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