Which wine to drink with goat cheese?

With goat cheese, go for a dry, fresh and mineral white wine: a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley (Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Pouilly-Fumé) or a Loire Chenin are the safest pairings. Serve it well chilled, around 8-10 °C. As a general rule, avoid tannic reds, whose tannins clash with the proteins in goat cheese. For an original touch: crémant, vin doux naturel or a dry rosé.

An emblematic cheese of French terroir, goat cheese stands out for its many varieties, ranging from a melting to a dry texture, from fresh to robust aromas. Whether enjoyed at the start of a meal, on a cheese board, in a recipe or simply on a slice of toasted bread, goat cheese naturally calls for a successful wine pairing. But which wine should you drink with goat cheese? Red or white, dry or sweet, here are our tips to bring out the best in every bite of goat cheese.

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Serving white wine with goat cheese

Made from goat's milk, this cheese is often lighter than cow's-milk cheeses, with a mild flavour when fresh, and a more pronounced one as it ages. It can take the form of a log, a disc, an ash-coated pyramid or a crottin, as with the Crottin de Chavignol, one of the most famous appellations. This type of cheese develops a fine natural acidity and a creamy or crumbly texture, which naturally points towards certain wine profiles.

White wine is often considered the perfect and most traditional pairing. Indeed, the freshness of white wine awakens the creaminess of goat cheeses. The floral and mineral aromas of white wines marry with the delicate flavour of goat's milk without overpowering it. The complementarity of flavours is ideal. Sauvignon Blanc, particularly the one from the Loire Valley (Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Pouilly-Fumé), offers a freshness and acidity that perfectly balance the richness of fresh goat cheese. This type of wine reveals the lactic and vegetal aromas of goat cheese while extending its finesse on the palate. Loire Chenin (dry Vouvray, Montlouis-sur-Loire), rounder but always taut, is also a favoured choice.

Can you drink red or rosé wine with goat cheese?

As a general rule, red wines are best avoided. Indeed, the tannins in red wine and the proteins present in goat cheese do not mix well (a metallic aftertaste, bitterness). However, for red wine lovers, certain light red wines can perfectly accompany a goat cheese, especially when it is aged. A Burgundy Pinot Noir, a Loire Cabernet Franc or a Beaujolais Gamay offer supple tannins, red-fruit notes, and a light texture that does not overpower the aromas of the cheese. Rosé wines can also accompany fresh cheeses, a warm goat cheese tart or a warm goat cheese salad, for a subtle harmony and a pairing full of freshness.

Original pairings to try

• Vins doux naturels (VDN) such as Muscat de Frontignan or amber Rivesaltes: perfect with an aged goat cheese (or blue cheeses made from goat's milk) and a fig chutney or dried fruit.
• Crémants (notably Crémant de Loire): the bubbles awaken the palate and bring a sparkling contrast to fresh goat cheeses.
• Dry and mineral rosés: good companions for fresh, soft goat cheeses, for summery pairings.

The star pairing: Crottin de Chavignol & white Sancerre

It is impossible to talk about cheese and wine pairing without mentioning the famous duo of Crottin de Chavignol and white Sancerre. Both from the Loire Valley, they share the same terroir typicity. This regional match offers a goat cheese and wine pairing that borders on perfection! This fresh white wine offers liveliness, minerality, notes of citrus and white flowers that bring out the best in the cheese's melting texture.

As you will have understood, goat cheese, with its mild or more robust flavour depending on its ageing, calls above all for fresh, dry, floral and fruity white wines. Sauvignon Blanc and Loire Chenins are winning choices for goat cheese and wine pairings. For an original touch, also consider sparkling wines, vins doux naturels or dry rosés. Find our selection on Avenue des Vins, and enjoy our finest cuvées to accompany delicious goat cheeses, with home delivery.

FAQ - Wine and goat cheese

What is the best wine with goat cheese?

The best pairing remains a dry, lively white wine. A Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley (Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, Pouilly-Fumé) or a Loire Chenin embraces the freshness of goat cheese without overpowering it. The more the cheese is aged, the more you can step up the aromatic intensity of the wine.

At what temperature should you serve wine with goat cheese?

Serve dry whites between 8 and 10 °C to preserve their tension and minerality. Serving too cold masks the aromas, too warm weighs down the pairing. For a crémant, stay around 6-8 °C.

Can you really drink red wine with goat cheese?

Yes, but with caution. Tannic reds are best avoided because the tannins clash with the proteins in goat cheese. Prefer light, fruity reds , Pinot Noir, Loire Cabernet Franc, Beaujolais Gamay , especially with an aged goat cheese.

Which wine should you serve with warm goat cheese or a goat cheese salad?

A dry, mineral rosé or a lively white work wonderfully with a warm goat cheese salad or a goat cheese tart. The freshness of the wine balances the richness of the melted cheese and the sweet note of the accompaniments.

What budget should you plan for a good wine and goat cheese pairing?

No need for a grand cuvée: a Loire Sauvignon or a winemaker's Touraine offers excellent value for money. By buying at the estate price, with no middleman, you gain access to bottles from independent estates at a fair price.

Why buy your wine directly from the winemaker?

Buying direct from the winemaker means benefiting from the estate price with no middleman, a traced vintage and shipping from the estate cellar. On Avenue des Vins, every cuvée comes from chosen independent winemakers, a guarantee of quality and transparency.