Wine pairing
What wine goes with cheese?
Most people reach for a red with a cheese board, but high tannins clash with many cheeses. The pairings that actually sing tend to involve acidity (whites) or sweetness (dessert wines) to balance the fat and salt.
The best wines for cheese
- Champagne / sparkling Top matchSparkling
The ultimate cheese-board wine — its acidity and bubbles reset your palate against creamy cheeses.
- Sauvignon BlancWhite
Crisp and zesty — the classic, near-perfect match for goat cheese.
- PortSweet/fortified
Sweet and powerful: the legendary partner for salty blue cheese like Stilton.
- Aged red (Cabernet)Bold red
Saved for hard, aged cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan, where it truly works.
One to avoid
A tannic young red with a soft, creamy brie tends to taste bitter — go sparkling or white instead.
Sommelier’s shortcut
A reliable rule: “what grows together goes together,” and sweet wine + salty cheese is the can’t-miss combo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine for a cheese board?
Champagne or another dry sparkling wine is the most versatile — its acidity and bubbles work across soft, hard, and creamy cheeses on the same board.
What wine goes with blue cheese?
A sweet wine like Port or Sauternes is the classic match for blue cheese — the sweetness balances the salty, pungent flavor.