Wine and Cheese Pairings - Wine Cheese Pairing Chart

Champagne Characteristics: Light to medium-bodied with taste ranges of dry to off dry; flavors consist of toasted fruit and citrus flavors.

Pairing: Though Champagne is a versatile bubbly wine that compliments a wide range of cheeses; I would recommend a semi-soft cheese with a creamy flavor such as a Camembert. This soft, light cheese would bring more complexities out of the wine and accentuate the finish.

Other Cheeses to Consider: Brie, Baby Swiss, Colby

Cabernet Sauvignon Characteristics: Medium to full-bodied red wine with hints of herbs, dark fruits, and sometimes flavors of mocha or vanilla. Cabernet is a classic wine.

Pairing: The strong texture and full body of a Cabernet Sauvignon brings out strong flavors of a strong cheese like Cheddar. Medium-bodied firm cheese are your best bet here!

Other Cheeses to Consider: Gruyere, Comte, Gouda

Chardonnay Characteristics: Medium-bodied and dry sparkling wine with notes of apples, pears, and other crisp fruit flavors.

Pairing: Since Chardonnay tends to be a light-bodied pairing wine that is crisp and fruity, pairing it with a mild creamy cheese can result in the cheese almost tasting sweet. A light maasdam cheese or mild cheddar would be the perfect combo here.

Other Cheeses to Consider: Bouche, Cheddar, Brie

Merlot Characteristics: Medium to Full-bodied with notes of dark fruit, stone, and tea. Less tannic than other reds, it makes great for flavorful cheeses.

Pairing: Merlot is a wine that can be paired great with a cheese that has a strong flavor and washed rind. The dry flavors and fruitiness of a Merlot marvelously blends with cheeses that are sharp or tangy, adding to complex flavored cheeses really nicely.

Other Cheese to Consider: Gorgonzola, Parmesan, Jarlsberg, Goat cheese

Moscato Characteristics: Moscato is light-bodied white wine and a bit dry with notes of fruit and citrus, very aromatic flavors as well.

Pairing: Moscato typically has a sweetness to it that makes it a great pairing with spicier cheeses like Pepper Jack or Muenster or other creamy cheeses.

Other Cheeses to Consider: Brie, Camembert 

Pinot Grigio Characteristics: Pinot Grigio is light-bodied and full of dry refreshing flavors of fruits like peach, pear, and melon.

Pairing: Because of its crisp flavor and high acidity, Pinot Grigio acts as a great palette cleanser for milder cheeses. Because of this, it pairs perfectly with ricotta or mild cheddar.

Other Cheese to Consider: Mozzarella, Humboldt Fog Chevre

Port Characteristics: Most commonly enjoyed as a dessert wine, Port is sweet, intense, and has persistent aromas and flavors of dark fruit.

Pairing: Mellow, rich, and nutty, Port wine can be served with dry hard cheeses like Parmesan.

Other Cheese to Consider: Cheddar, Comte, Blue Cheese

Riesling Characteristics: Light-bodied and off dry, with delicate flavors of peach blossoms and stone fruits.

Pairing: Being acidic, sugar, and a sweet wine; Riesling pairs nicely with zesty cheeses with lots of booming flavor or spicy cheeses.

Other Cheeses to Consider: Blue Cheese, Aged Gouda, Feta

Sauvignon Blanc Characteristics: Light-bodied and dry, hints of grass and citrus. Crisp with a nuanced finish, Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with a wide variety of cheeses.

Pairing: Since Sauvignon Blanc is bright and light-bodied, it will not overpower cheeses with a more subtle flavor like Havarti.

Other Cheeses to Consider: Monterey Jack, Muenster, Parmesan, Swiss