Kamil Perry
Goat cheese is one of the easiest cheeses to pair with wine, with a variety of options to choose from. The wine that is most often chosen to accompany goat cheese is Sauvignon Blanc, a white wine with grassy, herbal, and citrusy notes that complement the cheese. Other white wine options include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Albarino. If you're looking for a red wine to pair with goat cheese, a Cabernet Franc or Merlot is an excellent option. For those who prefer a lighter, more delicate wine, a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais is a good choice. When in doubt, choosing a wine and goat cheese combination from the same region is a safe bet, as this provides similar taste profiles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine to pair with fresh goat cheese | Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Crémant de Loire, Sparklers from the Loire region, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Albarino, Spanish Albarino, Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Chablis, Picpoul de Pinet, Alvarinho, Dry Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, Crisp dry rosé, Provençal rosé, Pinot Noir, Blue Goat Cheese with Natural Wine, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Lighter-bodied reds, Gamay, Beaujolais, Malbec, Syrah, Bold and peppery Syrah, Goat gouda with Syrah, Goat cheddar with Pinot Noir, Goat gouda with Vermentino, Aged goat cheese with Merlot, Cabernet Franc from Loire Valley, Touraine, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Saint Bris, French Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis Chardonnay, Washington or California Syrah |
| Wine to pair with aged goat cheese | Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Lighter-bodied reds, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Malbec, Syrah, Bold and peppery Syrah, Goat gouda with Syrah, Goat cheddar with Pinot Noir, Blue Goat Cheese with Natural Wine, Aged goat cheese with Merlot, Cabernet Franc from Loire Valley, Touraine, Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Saint Bris, French Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis Chardonnay, Washington or California Syrah |
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What You'll Learn
Wine pairings for fresh goat cheese
Wine and cheese are a classic combination, and goat cheese is one of the easiest cheeses to pair with wine. Fresh goat cheese typically has a creamy, buttery, and mellow flavour, and there are several wines that can complement this profile.
A popular choice to pair with fresh goat cheese is a Sauvignon Blanc. This white wine is known for its bright, zippy acidity, which matches and complements the acidity in the cheese. The combination is fresh and invigorating. Sauvignon Blanc also has grassy, herbal notes that work well with the cheese. Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Sauvignon de Touraine are all excellent, more specific choices to pair with goat's cheese. If you're looking for a red wine, a Cabernet Franc is a good option. Lighter styles from the Loire Valley, such as those from Chinon, Bourgueil, Anjou, Coteaux du Loir, or Saumur, are ideal. These wines have herbaceous notes and tart acidity that will complement the soft, impressionable nature of goat cheese.
Chardonnay is another wine that can be paired with goat cheese. A Chardonnay with a creamy texture and refreshing flavours of apples and pears can be an excellent choice to cut through the richness of the cheese. A French Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis are good options to serve with aged goat cheeses.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try pairing goat cheese with a bold and peppery Syrah or a fruity Beaujolais Nouveau. A crisp, dry rosé or a citrussy white such as Pinot Grigio or a Spanish Albarino are also worth considering.
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Wine pairings for aged goat cheese
Aged goat cheese has a harder texture and an earthier, floral flavour. The right wine can showcase the regional complexity of the cheese and complement its characteristics.
A Chardonnay with a creamy texture and refreshing flavours of apples and pears can be an excellent choice to serve with aged goat cheese. A French Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis can balance out the rich cheese and showcase the wine's fruit flavours.
If you're looking for a red wine to pair with aged goat cheese, a Cabernet Franc is an excellent option. The Loire Valley produces lighter styles with more herbaceous notes and tart acidity that will complement the cheese perfectly. Aim for the lighter styles from the Loire Valley, such as those from Chinon, Bourgueil, Anjou, Coteaux du Loir, or Saumur.
A bold and peppery Syrah or a fruity Beaujolais Nouveau could also be a good pairing for aged goat cheese. A crisp, dry rosé, or a citrussy white such as Pinot Grigio or a Spanish Albarino are other wine options that can pair well with aged goat cheese.
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Red wine pairings for goat cheese
When it comes to red wine pairings for goat cheese, there are a few recommended options. As a general rule, earthier cheeses pair well with wines that have bigger flavours.
A classic red wine pairing for goat cheese is a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley. This wine is particularly well-suited to aged goat cheeses with a more complex and soft texture. For a specific recommendation, try a wine from Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, or Saint Bris.
Merlot is another red wine that pairs well with aged goat cheeses, such as Tomme de Chèvre or Aged Garrotxa.
If you're looking for a wine to pair with goat cheddar, Pinot Noir is a good option. It also goes well with goat gouda.
For those who enjoy the unique flavour of goat cheese, try pairing it with a Drunken Goat cheese and Williamson Bordeaux style red wine. Drunken Goat is a traditional Spanish goat cheese that is soaked in Mourvèdre red wine for 2-3 days before the aging process, resulting in a delicate, creamy, and semi-firm cheese with a subtle fruit flavour.
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White wine pairings for goat cheese
Goat cheese is one of the easiest cheeses to pair with wine. The classic choice for a white wine is Sauvignon Blanc, a wine with bright, zippy acidity that matches the acidity in the cheese, creating a fresh and invigorating combination. Other similar citrussy whites include Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Albarino, Alvarinho, Chablis, Picpoul de Pinet, and Pinot Grigio. If you're looking for a red wine to pair with goat cheese, a Cabernet Franc is an excellent option, especially the lighter styles from the Loire Valley, such as those from Chinon, Bourgueil, Anjou, Coteaux du Loir, or Saumur.
When it comes to pairing Chardonnay with goat cheese, consider the type of goat cheese you have. A Chardonnay with a creamy texture (but not too much oak) and refreshing flavours of apples and pears can be an excellent choice to serve with aged goat cheeses to balance out the rich cheeses and showcase the wine's fruit flavours. Examples include a French Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis.
If you're looking for a wine to complement the creamy, buttery qualities of goat cheese, another option is Riesling. Fresh goat cheeses with a mellow, milky flavour pair well with the wine's citrus flavour profile. On the other hand, aged goat cheeses with a harder texture and earthier, floral flavour can also complement Riesling, as the lush, floral notes of the wine become more distinct and pleasing when paired with these more mature cheeses.
For a sparkling wine, try a Crémant de Loire, a sparkler from the Loire region made primarily with Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.
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Rosé wine pairings for goat cheese
Rosé wine is a great choice to pair with goat cheese, especially during summer picnics. When choosing a rosé, opt for a crisp, dry variety, such as a Provence-style rosé. This will create a refreshing and harmonious pairing with the cheese. If you're looking for specific recommendations, go for a rosé from the Loire Valley, which is known for its excellent rosé wines.
Now, let's explore some additional tips for pairing rosé wine with goat cheese:
- When in doubt, consider choosing a wine and goat cheese combination from the same region. This natural pairing will provide similar taste profiles and showcase the regional specialties of both the wine and the cheese.
- If you're looking for a more adventurous option, try a bold and peppery Syrah rosé. The fruitiness of the wine will complement the earthy flavours of aged goat cheeses.
- For a lighter option, opt for a rosé made from Cabernet Franc grapes. These rosés have herbaceous notes and tart acidity that will complement the soft and impressionable nature of goat cheese.
- Consider the type of goat cheese you are serving. Fresh, creamy goat cheeses with a mellow, milky flavour may pair better with a different type of wine, such as a crisp white wine or a lighter rosé.
- If you're serving other foods alongside the goat cheese, such as a salad or a cheeseboard, you might want to choose a wine that complements the overall flavour profile of the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
The best wine to serve with goat cheese will depend on the type of goat cheese being served. Fresh goat cheeses with a mellow, milky flavour pair well with Riesling, while aged goat cheeses with a harder texture and an earthier, floral flavour complement Chardonnay. Other wines that go well with goat cheese include Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, Syrah, and Merlot.
The crispness of an unoaked Chardonnay can cut through the richness of aged goat cheese, creating a refreshing and enjoyable pairing. On the other hand, the lush texture and long finish of Riesling stand up well to the more assertive flavours of fresh goat cheese. Sauvignon Blanc is a classic pairing that is hard to beat—its bright, zippy acidity is the perfect match for the acidity in the cheese.
Yes, when in doubt, it is generally a safe bet to choose a wine and goat cheese combination from the same region. This natural pairing provides similar taste profiles and showcases the regional variety of both the cheese and the wine. For example, if you're enjoying a goat cheese from the Loire Valley of France, try pairing it with a Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet Franc from the same region.
There are no specific wines to avoid per se, but it is important to consider the complex and sometimes funky character of goat cheese when making a pairing. The layers of flavour in goat cheese can make it a challenge to find a harmonious wine pairing.
