Few pleasures rival the simplicity of good cheese and great wine. Yet finding the perfect match requires more than intuition. Texture, fat content, acidity, and salt all influence the way wine and cheese interact. When balanced correctly, each enhances the other — amplifying flavour and texture in equal measure.
Here’s a guide to pairing wines with five classic cheese styles, each illustrated with a Friarwood recommendation.
Soft & Creamy – Brie, Camembert, Chaource
Soft cheeses demand freshness and delicacy. Their buttery richness pairs best with wines that cleanse the palate rather than compete with it.
Recommended Wine: Deutz Brut Classic Champagne, NV
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The fine mousse and bright citrus lift of Champagne cut through creamy textures while complementing the subtle earthiness of bloomy rinds. A non-vintage Brut offers just enough maturity to echo the cheese’s savoury depth.
Alternative Pairing: A crisp Chablis or dry English sparkling wine.
Fresh & Tangy – Goat’s Cheese and Feta
Goat’s cheeses, especially those from the Loire Valley, are naturally tart and herbal. They call for wines with similar precision and a clean, mineral finish.
Recommended Wine: Domaine Paul Doucet, Sancerre Blanc, 2023
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Vibrant acidity and citrus fruit bring the cheese to life, while subtle flinty notes mirror its minerality. Together they create a pairing that feels effortless and refreshing.
Alternative Pairing: Verdicchio from Italy or a restrained Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux.
Semi-Hard – Comté, Gruyère, Manchego
Nutty, savoury cheeses benefit from wines with moderate weight and gentle oak influence. The key is balance: richness without heaviness.
Recommended Wine: Domaine Nudant, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2022
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Its rounded palate of stone fruit and almond, lifted by crisp acidity, complements the nuttiness of Comté or Gruyère. The subtle oak ageing echoes the cheese’s depth without overwhelming it.
Alternative Pairing: A dry Chenin Blanc or an aged white Rioja.
Hard & Aged – Cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino
Firm, salty cheeses pair beautifully with structured reds. Tannins bind to the cheese’s fat, softening both wine and palate.
Recommended Wine: Agriturismo Colognole, Chianti Rufina 2021
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Bright cherry fruit, savoury spice and firm yet polished tannins make this Chianti an ideal companion for mature cheeses. The wine’s acidity refreshes, while its depth complements the cheese’s intensity.
Alternative Pairing: A left-bank Bordeaux or a Rioja Reserva.
Blue – Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola
Blue cheese’s pungent saltiness demands sweetness and weight from the wine. The contrast between salt and sugar creates a luxurious balance.
Recommended Wine: Château Rieussec, Les Carmes de Rieussec 2019 (Sauternes)
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Golden, honeyed and vibrant, this Sauternes offers candied apricot, citrus peel and floral notes that tame the cheese’s salt while highlighting its creaminess.
Alternative Pairing: Tawny Port or a late-harvest Riesling.
Friarwood’s Pairing Principles
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Balance intensity. Lighter cheeses need freshness; stronger cheeses need body or sweetness.
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Match region when possible. Regional pairings — Sancerre with Loire goat’s cheese, Chianti with Tuscan pecorino — rarely fail.
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Temperature matters. Serve cheese at room temperature and wine slightly cooler than usual to preserve precision.
Explore & Shop
Discover our full range of Champagnes, White Wines, Red Wines and Sweet Wines online, or visit Friarwood Parsons Green and Wimbledon Village for personal recommendations.
