Which wine to drink with Roquefort?

To pair with Roquefort, reach for a sweet wine that offsets its saltiness: a sweet white (Sauternes, Monbazillac, late-harvest Alsace) or a fortified sweet red (Maury, Banyuls, Rivesaltes). Serve them chilled, around 8 to 10 °C. Best avoided: dry reds that are too young or too tannic, which sharpen the cheese's bitterness.

An iconic cheese of French gastronomy, Roquefort is renowned for its aromatic power, its salty and lingering taste, and its melting texture. Made from ewe's milk, ripened in the natural cellars of the Roquefort causse and enriched with Penicillium roqueforti, this Aveyron cheese is one of the oldest and most celebrated of the great French cheeses. So which wine should you drink with Roquefort? Which pairings bring out its intense character? Here is a complete guide to accompanying this cheese of character with precision and harmony. See our wine and cheese selection

Roquefort: a cheese unlike any other in the world

Roquefort is born in the heart of the Aveyron, in the limestone caves of the Causses and Cévennes national park, with parcel exposure conditions and a cellar temperature that are utterly unique. This terroir and this remarkable craftsmanship give the cheese a rare typicity. The wine that accompanies it must therefore be chosen with just as much care, so as not to betray this cultural and sensory richness.

Roquefort: a powerful cheese

The richness of Roquefort, its saltiness and its slightly piquant notes call for a wine capable of softening and counterbalancing its powerful flavours. Sweet wines, with their aromas of red fruits, honey or candied fruits, are the traditional companions of this intense cheese. Their roundness and supple palate create perfect harmony with Roquefort cheese, especially when it is enjoyed at the end of a meal.

The best pairings with Roquefort

Sweet and dessert white wines: the classic pairing

Pairing Roquefort with a sweet white wine remains a safe bet. The late-harvest wines of Alsace, such as late-harvest Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris sélection de grains nobles, offer a lovely sweetness, balanced by an acidity that offsets the salty flavour of Roquefort. An AOC Sauternes white wine, ample, golden to straw-coloured and aromatic, is also a classic choice that has proven its worth. Its richness in sugar and its aromatic complexity envelop the power of Roquefort with elegance. You can also turn to a Monbazillac for a perfect pairing with great value for money and pleasure.

Fortified sweet red wines: a perfect pairing

Less well known but just as effective, fortified sweet red wines such as Maury, Banyuls or AOC Rivesaltes, from the South of France, go particularly well with Roquefort. Their flavours of ripe red fruits, sometimes jammy, and their ample palate make them a warm alternative to sweet whites. The contrast between the sugar and the saltiness of the cheese creates a indulgent and original pairing.

And why not a dry red wine?

Even though dry red wine is less often associated with Roquefort, certain well-chosen reds can offer a fine complementarity. A well-ripened Cabernet Sauvignon, with melted tannins and a generous structure, can hold its own against the powerful flavour of the cheese. However, you should take care to avoid red wines that are too young or too tannic, which could create an imbalance and sharpen the cheese's bitterness.

Pairings to match the accompaniments

• With a slice of Roquefort and dried figs: a Gewurztraminer grains nobles or a vin de paille will create a lovely food and wine pairing.
• With Roquefort and walnut bread: a red Maury with a velvety texture will be an excellent option.
• In a salad with endives, apples and walnuts: an off-dry white wine can offer a pleasant contrast.

Pairing wine with Roquefort is above all a question of harmony of flavours. Sweet, dessert or fortified sweet red wines are the best allies of this famous cheese, but supple red wines or dry white wines can also rise to the occasion depending on your mood. Let us not forget that every pairing is personal: the main thing is to find the match that delights your taste buds and brings out this powerful ewe's-milk cheese. On Avenue des Vins, we are sure to have the bottle you need!

FAQ - Which wine with Roquefort?

What is the best wine to pair with Roquefort?

The great classic remains a sweet white wine such as a Sauternes or a Monbazillac: its sweetness and acidity counterbalance the saltiness of the cheese. Fortified sweet red wines (Maury, Banyuls, Rivesaltes) offer an equally successful, indulgent alternative.

Can you drink dry red wine with Roquefort?

Yes, provided you choose it well. A ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, with melted tannins, can hold its own against the cheese. On the other hand, avoid reds that are too young or too tannic: they would create an imbalance and sharpen the bitterness of the Roquefort.

At what temperature should you serve wine with Roquefort?

Serve dessert wines and fortified sweet wines chilled, around 8 to 10 °C: the coolness highlights their sweetness and acidity against the power of the cheese. An accompanying dry red is served instead around 16 °C.

Why pair a sweet wine with such a salty cheese?

This is the principle of pairing by contrast: the sugar of the wine softens the saltiness and piquant notes of Roquefort, while the acidity keeps the whole from becoming heavy. This interplay of opposites creates harmony on the palate, especially at the end of a meal.

Which wine should you choose for a cheese board including Roquefort?

For a varied board, a versatile dessert wine such as a Monbazillac or a sweet Jurançon goes with most blue-veined cheeses and many others. You can also offer two bottles, a sweet white and a fortified sweet red, to cover every profile.

Why buy your wine directly from the winemaker?

Buying direct means benefiting from the estate price, with no middleman adding a margin. The bottle is shipped from the estate's cellar, with a traceable vintage and optimal freshness. On Avenue des Vins, our sommeliers hand-pick and taste the cuvées of independent winemakers to guarantee you the best pairing.