Best Cheese for White Wine

It’s always a delight to relax with friends, enjoying a chilled white wine and a lovely charcuterie spread. But how do you decide which type of cheese to include on your charcuterie board? And do you know which bottle of white wine will perfectly complement those flavors?

Here are some recommendations for the best cheese and white wine pairings:

1. Chardonnay: Brie or Camembert
2. Sauvignon Blanc: Goat Cheese or Feta
3. Riesling: Blue Cheese or Havarti
4. Pinot Grigio: Mozzarella or Gruyère
5. Chenin Blanc: Cheddar or Gouda
6. Gewürztraminer: Munster or Swiss

Read on to learn more about these white wine varieties and the cheese variants that perfectly match each one of them.

Chardonnay: Brie or Camembert

Chardonnay is a wonderfully versatile wine with a range of textures. It can feel creamy and rich, especially if it’s been through malolactic fermentation, which softens the wine’s natural tartness. Sometimes, it’s smooth and round, with a touch of an oily feel.

Flavor-wise, Chardonnay is like a fruit basket, offering hints of apple, pear, citrus, and tropical fruits like pineapple and mango. If it’s aged in oak barrels, you’ll get delicious notes of vanilla, butter, caramel, and toast, making it what many call a “buttery” wine.

Pairing Chardonnay with cheese? Brie is a fantastic choice. Its creamy texture and mild flavor beautifully complement Chardonnay’s buttery and oaky notes. Camembert, with its creamy and earthy profile, also pairs wonderfully with this versatile white wine.

Riesling: Blue Cheese or Havarti

Riesling is a wonderful white wine known for its unique taste and texture. It’s light to medium-bodied, giving it a crisp and refreshing feel on your tongue. The lively acidity makes it bright and lively, with some types even having a hint of fizziness. Despite its acidity, Riesling can also be smooth and elegant, leaving a clean, pleasant finish.

Flavor-wise, Riesling offers a delightful mix of apple, pear, peach, and apricot flavors. These fruity notes range from fresh and crisp to rich and juicy. You might also notice hints of citrus like lemon or lime, adding a zesty tang. Many Rieslings have a mineral quality too, like the taste of wet stones or flint, which adds complexity.

Riesling comes in different sweetness levels, from bone-dry to very sweet, making it a versatile match for all kinds of foods. Overall, it is loved for its vibrant acidity, diverse fruit flavors, and subtle mineral notes, making it perfect for many different meals and occasions.

Pairing wise, the sweetness of Riesling balances out the strong, salty flavors of blue cheese beautifully. And the mild, buttery taste of Havarti cheese compliments Riesling’s fruity and aromatic qualities perfectly.

Pinot Grigio: Mozzarella or Gruyère

Pinot Grigio is a popular white wine loved for its refreshing texture and crisp taste. It is light-bodied, making it feel fresh and easy to sip. The crisp acidity gives it a clean and invigorating feel, yet it finishes smoothly, leaving a pleasant taste.

Flavor-wise, Pinot Grigio bursts with bright citrus flavors like lemon, lime, and grapefruit, adding to its refreshing character. You might also pick up hints of green apple, adding a bit of tartness and fruitiness. Some varieties have subtle mineral notes that bring depth and complexity, while others might offer herbal hints like basil or thyme, adding to its aromatic appeal.

In general, Pinot Grigio is prized for its light body, crisp acidity, and lively citrus flavors, making it a versatile choice that pairs well with various dishes, especially seafood, salads, and lighter meals.

When it comes to pairing, the light and fresh taste of mozzarella complements Pinot Grigio’s crisp and clean profile perfectly. Gruyère, with its nutty and slightly sweet flavor, also pairs nicely, enhancing the wine’s light and refreshing notes

Chenin Blanc: Cheddar or Gouda

Chenin Blanc is renowned for its robust texture, well-balanced acidity, and intricate blend of fruit and mineral flavors. It’s a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, from seafood to poultry and even spicy cuisine.

With a medium to full-bodied texture, Chenin Blanc offers a satisfying weight on the palate and a smooth, silky mouthfeel that feels luxurious. Despite its fuller body, it maintains a refreshing acidity that keeps each sip lively and vibrant.

This wine showcases a diverse range of fruit flavors, from ripe apple and pear to tropical notes like pineapple and quince, adding layers of depth to its taste profile. Some Chenin Blancs also feature honeyed nuances that bring a touch of sweetness, enhancing its overall richness. Subtle mineral undertones, reminiscent of wet stones or flint, contribute further complexity to the wine’s character. Depending on its origin and style, you might also detect floral aromas such as honeysuckle or jasmine, enhancing its aromatic allure.

Pairing-wise, the sharpness of Cheddar complements the fruity and honeyed elements of Chenin Blanc, while Gouda’s caramel-like sweetness elevates its rich and complex profile, creating a delightful harmony of flavors.

Gewürztraminer: Munster or Swiss

Gewürztraminer stands out as a special white wine adored for its rich texture and aromatic taste. It’s known for its full-bodied feel that satisfies the palate with a silky, luxurious coating. Balanced sweetness enhances its richness without overwhelming.

This wine bursts with intense aromas, from floral hints like rose petals and honeysuckle to spicy notes of ginger and clove. Its exotic fruit flavors include lychee, peach, apricot, and tropical fruits like mango and pineapple, adding to its allure. Some varieties finish with a slight bitterness, adding depth.

Gewürztraminer’s lower acidity contributes to a smooth, rounded mouthfeel. It’s prized for its bold texture, aromatic intensity, and complex flavors, making it a great match for spicy dishes, Asian cuisine, and cheeses like Munster or Swiss.

Conclusion: Best Cheeses for White Wine

To sum it all up, if you’re unsure which cheeses to pair with your white wines, here’s our handy guide: Chardonnay pairs wonderfully with Brie or Camembert; Goat Cheese or Feta are great choices for Sauvignon Blanc; Riesling goes well with Blue Cheese or Havarti; Pinot Grigio complements Mozzarella or Gruyère beautifully; Chenin Blanc matches perfectly with Cheddar or Gouda; and Gewürztraminer pairs nicely with Munster or Swiss cheeses.

These pairings are foolproof for enjoying your cheese and white wine together!