Andy Montoya
When it comes to choosing a wine to pair with brie cheese, there are several options to consider. The most important factor is the type of brie you are eating, as more mature bries or brie-style cheeses will need more powerful, structured wines. In general, acidic wines are considered to be the best contrasting pairing for brie, as they undercut the fatty flavours and add a refreshing crispness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine type | Sparkling, lighter white, light red |
| Flavour | Zesty, acidic, fruity, dry, off-dry, sweet |
| Tannins | Minimal |
| Alcohol content | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Sparkling wine
When choosing a wine to pair with brie, sparkling wine works best. Its bubbles and zesty acidity help refresh your taste buds between bites. A popular German sparkling wine similar to an unoaked Chardonnay is a great choice, as it can cut through the creamy fat of the brie. You can opt for a Brut or Extra Brut Riesling if you want to maximise crisp contrast, or look towards an off-dry Riesling for an extra infusion of sweetness to complement and accentuate the brie's natural sugars.
If you're serving your brie with a lot of sweetness (think honey, jam, fruit), then you may want to go with something off-dry. If it's all savoury, stick with dry wines.
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Unoaked Chardonnay
When choosing a wine to pair with brie, sparkling wines work best. Their bubbles and zesty acidity help refresh your taste buds between bites. Unoaked Chardonnay is a great choice when it comes to pairing wine with brie. Its acidity helps to undercut the fatty flavours of the cheese, adding a refreshing crispness.
If you're looking for a red wine to pair with brie, opt for a light, fruity one like a Pinot Noir or Barbera that won't overpower this creamy cheese. A fruity (but not too tannic) Merlot or a ripe 'cru' Beaujolais from a good vintage such as 2022 will also work well.
Remember to consider what's sharing the plate with your brie. If it's all savoury, stick with dry wines. But if you're adding a lot of sweetness (think honey, jam, fruit), then you may want to go with something off-dry.
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Sauvignon Blanc
When it comes to choosing a wine to pair with brie, sparkling wines are often considered the best option. Their bubbles and zesty acidity help to refresh your taste buds between bites. However, lighter white wines with good acidity, such as Sauvignon Blanc, also work well.
When selecting a Sauvignon Blanc to pair with brie, look for one that is on the drier side, as this will help to balance out the richness of the cheese. If you're serving the brie with sweeter accompaniments, such as honey, jam, or fruit, you may want to choose an off-dry Sauvignon Blanc to complement the added sweetness.
It's also important to consider the other foods you'll be serving with the brie. If it's all savoury, a dry Sauvignon Blanc will likely be your best bet. However, if you're serving a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, an off-dry option may be more versatile and better suited to the overall flavour profile of the meal.
Overall, when pairing Sauvignon Blanc with brie, look for a wine that is dry or off-dry, crisp, and refreshing, with good acidity to cut through the richness of the cheese.
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Merlot
When choosing a wine to pair with brie, sparkling wines are often considered the best option. Their bubbles and zesty acidity help refresh your taste buds between bites. However, lighter white wines with good acidity like Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling also work well.
For red wines, it is recommended to opt for light, fruity ones like Pinot Noir or Barbera that won't overpower the creamy cheese. If you are eating a more mature brie, you may want to try a fruity (but not too tannic) Merlot. Merlot is one of the more intense red wines, so be sure to look for a more delicate vintage to make the most of your milky French cheese. A strong fruit fragrance will also help to cut through the fattier flavours of the cheese.
If you are serving your brie with other savoury foods, it is best to stick with dry wines. However, if you are adding a lot of sweetness, such as honey, jam or fruit, then you may want to go with something off-dry. It is also important to keep an eye on the tannins and alcohol content of the wine.
A good rule of thumb when pairing wine with brie is to look for a wine that will contrast with the milky, fatty flavours of the cheese. An unoaked Chardonnay is a good option as its acidity will undercut the fatty flavours and add a refreshing crispness. However, it is best to steer clear of the more buttery oaked Chardonnay varieties as the creamy flavours will taste flabby in comparison to the cheese.
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Pinot Noir
When it comes to choosing a wine to pair with brie cheese, sparkling wines are often considered the best option. Their bubbles and zesty acidity help to refresh your taste buds between bites. However, lighter white wines with good acidity, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, are also a good choice.
For red wines, a light and fruity Pinot Noir is an excellent option. Its delicate flavours won't overpower the creamy cheese. When choosing a Pinot Noir to pair with brie, look for a vintage with minimal tannins and a strong fruit fragrance. This will help to cut through the fattiness of the cheese.
If you're serving brie with savoury foods, stick with dry wines. However, if you're adding sweetness to your plate with honey, jam or fruit, you may want to opt for an off-dry wine to complement the natural sugars in the brie.
Mature bries or brie-style cheeses pair well with more powerful, structured wines, such as those from Central Otago.
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Frequently asked questions
Sparkling wine works best with brie cheese, but lighter white wines with good acidity like Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are also good options.
For reds, opt for light, fruity ones like Pinot Noir or Barbera that won't overpower the creamy cheese.
A Brut or Extra Brut Riesling will maximise the crisp contrast, or an off-dry Riesling will add an extra infusion of sweetness to compliment and accentuate the brie's natural sugars.
Steer clear of buttery oaked Chardonnay varieties, as the creamy flavours will taste flabby in comparison to the French cheese.
More mature bries will need more powerful structured wines. Try a fruity (but not too tannic) Merlot or a ripe 'cru' Beaujolais from a good vintage.
