Randy Chandler
Brie is a soft cheese with a mild, nutty, and tangy flavor that pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. It is one of the most versatile cheeses when it comes to finding a perfect wine pairing. The right wine pairing for brie depends on the type of brie and how mature it is. A younger brie works well with a light, crisp wine, while a mature brie needs a powerful, complex wine. Brie can be successfully paired with a variety of red and white wines, as well as sparkling wines and champagne.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brie Cheese Type | Fresh, soft-ripened, firm-ripened, blue-veined |
| Wine Type | Red, White, Sparkling |
| Red Wine Examples | Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rioja |
| White Wine Examples | Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling |
| Sparkling Wine Examples | Champagne, Prosecco |
| Brie Age | Young, Mature |
| Wine Taste | Sweet, Dry, Light, Medium, Full-Bodied |
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What You'll Learn
Brie and Champagne
Brie is a soft cheese with a mild, tangy flavour that can be paired with both sweet and savoury dishes. It is one of the most versatile cheeses when it comes to finding a perfect wine pairing.
Champagne is not the only wine that pairs well with brie. White wines are also a good choice if you want a more budget-friendly option. Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay all have the acidity needed to stand up to the richness of Brie. A cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc is another perfect match, particularly for younger Brie. The white wine's fruity notes and refreshing acidity complement the creamy cheese flavour. The acidity and berry notes of a Riesling will also pair beautifully with Brie.
If you are looking for a bottle of red wine to pair with Brie, try Pinot Noir. The light body of the Pinot Noir will not overpower the delicate flavour of the Brie. A soft Merlot could be an excellent match for a mature Brie cheese.
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Red wines with Brie
Brie is a soft cheese with a mild, nutty, and tangy flavour that pairs well with both sweet and savoury dishes. It is one of the most versatile cheeses when it comes to finding a perfect wine pairing. The type of wine that goes with brie depends on its age and texture. Young, milky, and fresh brie works well with light, crisp wines, while mature, rich, and fatty brie needs a powerful, complex wine.
When it comes to red wines, a fruity and light-bodied Pinot Noir is a good choice for Brie as its light body will not overpower the delicate flavour of the cheese. A soft Merlot can also be an excellent match for a mature Brie. However, it is important to note that sweet or fortified wines like port or full-bodied reds like Rioja have complex flavours that can overpower the mild flavour of Brie.
If you are serving baked or melted Brie, look for wines with more acidity to balance out the richness of the cheese. On the other hand, if you are serving the Brie cold or at room temperature, you can be more adventurous with your pairings.
In addition to red wines, Brie also pairs well with sparkling wines, Champagne, and white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay.
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White wines with Brie
Brie is a soft cheese with a mild, nutty, and tangy flavour that pairs well with both sweet and savoury dishes. It is one of the most versatile cheeses when it comes to finding a perfect wine pairing. The type of wine that goes with brie depends on the type and age of the cheese. A younger brie works well with a light, crisp wine, while a mature brie needs a powerful, complex wine.
When it comes to white wines, a light or medium-bodied variety with a degree of acidity is a good choice to pair with brie. The acidity helps to cut through the rich creaminess of the cheese. Some specific examples of white wines that pair well with brie include:
- Sauvignon Blanc: This dry white wine has grassy and citrus notes that pair perfectly with the subtle flavours of brie. Its bright acidity makes it a refreshing choice.
- Chardonnay: This versatile white wine has a creamy texture that complements the richness of brie. It is especially good with baked or grilled brie.
- Riesling: The acidity and berry notes of a Riesling pair beautifully with brie. An off-dry Riesling can add a touch of sweetness to the pairing.
- Chenin Blanc: This wine has green apple notes and a creamy texture that can complement the creaminess of brie.
In addition to these specific varieties, other white wines with fruity notes and refreshing acidity can also be good choices to pair with brie. The key is to look for wines that will complement the unique nutty and tangy flavours of the cheese without overwhelming its mild flavour.
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Young vs mature Brie and wine
Brie is a versatile cheese that pairs well with many wines. The type of wine that complements Brie depends on the cheese's maturity, with younger, milder cheeses working well with lighter wines and more mature, intensely flavoured cheeses requiring more structured wines.
Young Brie has a mild, creamy taste that combines buttery and nutty flavours. It pairs well with delicate, crisp, and acidic white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or an unoaked Chardonnay. Beaujolais, a light-bodied red wine with berry notes, is another option for young Brie. Champagne is also a good choice for young Brie, as its trademark acidity and bubbles create a beautiful contrast with the creamy texture of the cheese.
As Brie matures, its flavour becomes more robust and nutty. Mature Brie needs a more powerful, complex wine. Medium-bodied wines like Chardonnay or Gewürztraminer are suitable for mature Brie. Merlot, a soft red wine with minimal tannins and strong fruit fragrance, is another excellent match for mature Brie.
Aged Brie develops a strong and complex flavour. Full-bodied red wines like Pinot Noir or a fruity New World Pinot Noir are good choices for aged Brie. A full-bodied red wine like Merlot can also be paired with aged Brie.
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Sweet wines with Brie
Brie is a soft cheese that can be mild and slightly chalky or rich and gooey in flavour. The best wine to pair with it depends on the maturity of the cheese. Young, mild bries go well with lighter wines, while more mature, intensely flavoured bries pair better with more structured wines.
Sweet wines that pair well with brie include Sauternes, a sweet white wine with lush, complex flavours that complement the cheese's buttery richness. A soft Merlot is another excellent match for a mature Brie, as its medium body and low tannins ensure it doesn't overpower the creaminess of the cheese.
A light or medium-bodied white wine with some acidity is a popular choice to pair with brie, as it cuts through the cheese's luscious creaminess. A cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect match for younger bries, as its fruity notes and refreshing acidity complement the cheese's flavour. The acidity and berry notes of a Riesling also pair beautifully with brie, and it can be served in a sweet or savoury context.
Sweet sparkling wines like Prosecco can also be enjoyed with brie, as their effervescence refreshes the taste buds and their acidity breaks through the cheese's creaminess. Fruity reds such as a New Zealand or Chilean Pinot Noir can also be a good match for more mature bries, as their stronger flavours stand up to the cheese's intensity.
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Frequently asked questions
Wines with higher acidity are generally considered to be a good pairing with brie, as they help to cut through the rich creaminess of the cheese. Sparkling wines such as champagne, prosecco, and Brut or Extra Brut Riesling are popular choices. For white wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc are good options. Red wines such as Pinot Noir and Merlot can also be paired with brie, but it is important to choose lighter-bodied options to avoid overpowering the cheese.
Brie is a soft cheese with a mild, nutty, and tangy flavor that pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. Its versatility makes it a good base for wine pairings, as it can be served in a variety of ways, including fresh, baked, melted, or at room temperature.
The type of brie and its preparation method are important considerations. Fresh, soft-ripened, firm-ripened, and blue-veined brie each have distinct flavor profiles that will affect wine pairings. Baked or melted brie is best paired with wines that have higher acidity to balance out the richness of the cheese. When serving brie cold or at room temperature, there is more flexibility in wine choices.
Yes, here are a few specific combinations that are popular:
- Young brie with a light, crisp wine such as a sparkling wine or a light-bodied red like Pinot Noir
- Mature brie with a powerful, complex wine such as a soft Merlot or an off-dry Riesling
- Baked or grilled brie with Chardonnay to complement the creamy texture of the cheese
Yes, brie can be paired with a variety of drinks besides wine. Some options include ciders, such as Normandy cider, and flavoured beers, especially fruit beers. Non-alcoholic drinks with floral or fruity notes, such as apple or elderflower cordials, can also complement the creaminess of brie.
