Can You Serve Red Wine With Cheese?
Enjoying your favourite cheeses with red wine is commonplace, but not ideal. Vinatis explains why, and guides you towards making informed choices when enjoying cheese and red wine.
Our selection of light and fruity red wines
CAN RED WINE AND CHEESE GO WELL TOGETHER?
It is indeed common to enjoy the cheese platter with a glass of red wine. Often, the bottle of red wine that was opened for the main course is simply finished. This custom is said to be historical, since at one time red wines were much less alcoholic than they are today. Moreover, they were much less aromatic, which made them good partners for cheese at all times and on all occasions!
Today, it is rare to find red wines with an alcohol content below 10 degrees, with the lightest wines being around 11-12 degrees. In the production of red wines, a certain aromatic power is sought nowadays. The pairing of red wine and cheese becomes complicated.
In fact, it is the tannins in the red wine that do not match the fat, acidity and milky character of the cheese. Since the cheese rind has a certain bitterness, the tannins also cling to it, making it unpleasant. The sensation of astringency is reinforced, bringing a feeling of dryness due to the concentration and aromatic power of the beverage. The lactic ferments contained in the cheeses harden the tannins. If spices are added to the cheese, as is the case with some goat's cheeses or Gouda, an iron-like taste settles on the palate.
This is why many sommeliers and restaurateurs are nowadays directing their wine and cheese pairings towards white wines, which are more versatile and lack tannins.
WHICH RED WINE TO PAIR WITH CHEESE?
Even if it can be tricky to achieve, pairing red wine and cheese is not impossible. Provided, of course, that you know how to make the right pairings. Red wine lovers, don't worry! Follow our recommendations to bring out the best in the pairing.
Light red wine with strong cheese
Since tannins do not go well with cheese, it is preferable to choose red wines that are light and low in tannins and alcohol. Wines made from grape varieties known for their fruitiness, freshness and low alcohol content, such as Pinot Noir or Gamay, are ideal!
Not only will their light tannins match the cheeses, their flavours will not overpower those of the cheeses with character. Hard cheeses are recommended here to ensure a balance of flavours and textures. Enjoy a Cantal, Beaufort, Cheddar or Saint-Nectaire with a glass of fresh, light red wine to appreciate this pairing.
Vinatis recommends a 100% Pinot Noir from Alsace for your cheese platter with character.
Pinot Noir Réserve Particulière - Henri Ehrhart
Discover the timeless elegance of Pinot Noir, a noble grape variety enhanced by the expertise of Henri Ehrhart. Cultivated with care in the unique climate of Alsace, this red wine reveals a brilliant ruby colour and a seductive fruity profile. Its smooth, silky tannins offer a harmonious, accessible taste experience, perfect for those looking for a light, well-balanced red wine.
This Pinot Noir from the Collection Familiale is an ideal accompaniment to grilled beef or a stewed dish, but it's also a bold and refined choice for cheeses with character. Its fruity sweetness and supple tannins balance the powerful and sometimes salty flavours of cheeses such as Cantal, Beaufort, Saint-Nectaire, mature Comté or truffled Brie. This harmonious marriage softens the strong aromas while highlighting the wine's finesse.
Sweet red wine with blue cheese
For blue cheese, an interesting option in terms of food and wine pairing is the association with a sweet red wine. Indeed, it is quite common to find recommendations for sweet white wines such as Sauternes, Monbazillac or late harvest wines, precisely because the sweetness of these types of wines balances the exuberant saltiness of blue cheeses. Several red appellations meet this need for sweetness to accompany blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Bleu de Bresse or Stilton.
Enjoy a glass of sweet Maury or sweet Banyuls with your favourite blue cheese. Portugal is also a producer of internationally renowned fortified wines, so you will be seduced by the combination of blue cheese and red port. To accompany your blue cheeses, Vinatis suggests a sweet Maury from the Lafage estate.
Maury Grenat - Domaine Lafage
For lovers of gourmet wines, the Maury Grenat from the Lafage Estate is a real gem to be discovered. Carefully crafted, this sweet wine reveals intense aromas of ripe red and black fruit, combined with a velvety, perfectly balanced texture. Its generous palate is seductive without ever tipping over into excess, offering a rich yet elegant experience.
Ideal with a selection of blue cheese such as Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne or Stilton, this Maury enhances the power of these flavours with its sweet, fruity notes that balance the salty character and creamy texture of the cheeses. This combination creates a harmonious contrast, softening the aromas while highlighting the depth of the wine.
WHAT TYPE OF RED WINE TO SERVE WITH A VARIED CHEESE AND CHARCUTERIE PLATTER?
This type of pairing is not easy to determine because of the wide variety of products offered on a cheese and charcuterie platter. Cheeses have different aromatic profiles and textures, and not all go well with red wine. The complexity of the pairing is heightened by the presence of charcuterie, which is often full-bodied and sometimes spicy.
The tannins present in many red wines can clash with the salty or lactic flavours of cheeses, or accentuate the fatty sensation of cooked meats. Our advice? Go for lighter, suppler and fruitier red wines, capable of adapting to a wide range of flavours:
- A Pinot Noir: with its subtle cherry aromas and light tannins, it goes well with soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.
- A Beaujolais Gamay: fruity, light and not very tannic, it goes well with cold meats and mild cheeses.
- A Côtes-du-Rhône: supple and slightly spiced, it works well with more intense cheeses such as Comté or cooked pressed cheeses.
Brouilly - Château des Ravatys
Hand-picked to preserve the quality of the grapes, this Brouilly seduces with its delicate nose of red fruit (strawberry, raspberry) and a palate that combines suppleness and balance. This Beaujolais can be enjoyed now or matured in the cellar for 5 to 10 years.
Perfect with a cheese and charcuterie platter, its fruity aromas balance the flavours of mature cheeses and soften the richness of charcuterie.
Assistance
Follow us
Location
You are on the shop Great Britain
Alcohol abuse is bad for your health, please consume in moderation.
© 2002-2025 VINATIS
