What Red Wine to Pair with a Cheese Platter?

While professionals generally recommend pairing a cheese platter with white wine, you can also enjoy it with red wine. Follow this guide to discover which red wine to drink with a variety of cheeses for the best food and wine pairings.

What Red Wine to Drink with Cheese?

Pairing red wine with cheese can be more complex, but it is certainly possible. If you prefer to enjoy your cheeses with a red wine, make sure to choose light and low-tannin wines. Tannins in red wine can clash with the creamy and fatty nature of cheeses, so it is advisable to avoid Bordeaux wines. Instead, opt for a Pinot Noir from Burgundy or a Gamay-based wine to accompany a variety of cheeses such as Reblochon, Camembert, Comté, or Goat Cheese.

Light Red Wines and Characterful Cheeses

To enhance your cheese platter, choose light and low-tannin red wines. Consider wines made from grape varieties known for their fruitiness and freshness. Pinot Noir, Beaujolais Gamay, or Alsace reds pair well with goat cheese, Comté, and both soft and cooked cheeses.

These types of wines offer low alcohol content and balanced tannins, which complement the flavors of characterful cheeses. Pressed cheeses like Cantal, Saint-Nectaire, or Beaufort are perfect companions for fresh and light red wines.

Sweet Red Wines and Blue Cheeses

To pair with blue cheeses, opt for sweet red wines. Although it’s common to pair these cheeses with Sauternes, Monbazillac, or other sweet white wines, sweet red wines can also work well. The sweetness of these wines balances the salty notes of blue cheeses.

For strong cheeses like Roquefort, Bleu de Bresse, or Fourme d'Ambert, consider a Banyuls or a Portuguese Port wine. These options are also highly recommended for accompanying cheese platters.

At Avenue des Vins, we offer a selection of red, white, rosé wines, and Champagne to complement all your meals and homemade recipes. Discover our unique selection directly from the properties and vineyards of France.