Wine And Brie: A Perfect Pairing Guide

Brie is a soft, buttery, and nutty cheese with a complex flavour profile that changes as it ages. Its versatility makes it one of the most well-known and beloved cheeses in the world. But what kind of wine goes best with it? The answer depends on the maturity of the cheese. Younger, milder bries pair well with light, crisp, and fruity wines like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or a dry rosé. More mature bries require more robust wines like Merlot or a full-bodied Chardonnay. Sparkling wines, such as Champagne or Prosecco, are also a popular choice to complement Brie's creamy texture and nutty flavour.

Pinot Noir

When selecting a Pinot Noir to pair with Brie, consider choosing one from the neighbouring Burgundy region in France, although this may come at a higher cost. For more affordable options, look to Germany, where it is known as Spätburgunder, or Italy's Pinot Nero. Chile also offers great value Pinot Noirs.

Merlot

Brie is a soft-ripened cheese that originated in the Brie district of France. It is usually made from cow's milk, but it can also be made with sheep's milk. It has a soft, velvety texture and a rich, buttery, creamy flavour. The cheese is mild, with a nutty and tangy profile, and a slightly fruity finish. It also has a subtle earthiness, which comes from its edible white rind.

The best wine to pair with brie will depend on the maturity of the cheese. A younger brie works well with a light, crisp wine, while a more mature brie needs a more powerful, complex wine.

Chardonnay

Brie is a soft-ripened cheese that is commonly produced in the Brie district of France, though it is now made worldwide. It is usually made from cow's milk but can also be made from sheep's milk. The cheese is known for its mild, nutty, sweet, and creamy flavour, with an edible white rind that adds a touch of earthiness. As brie ages, its flavour becomes more robust and nutty, and it can develop overtones of ammonia.

When pairing Chardonnay with brie, consider the maturity of the cheese. Younger bries tend to have a milder taste, combining buttery and nutty flavours, while more mature bries have a stronger flavour and a more pronounced nutty taste. A younger brie will pair well with a lighter, crisp Chardonnay, while a more mature brie may call for a Chardonnay with more body and subtle oaky notes to stand up to the cheese's stronger flavour.

In addition to Chardonnay, other wine pairings that go well with brie include light and fruity reds such as Pinot Noir, fruity and light-bodied reds like Merlot, and sparkling wines like Champagne or Prosecco. When choosing a wine to pair with brie, it is essential to consider the other foods that will be served alongside the cheese. If the pairings are all savoury, stick with dry wines. If you're adding sweetness to the brie, such as honey or jam, you may want to choose an off-dry or sweeter wine.

Sauvignon Blanc

When pairing Sauvignon Blanc with Brie, look for a French Sancerre or a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. These styles are consistently good, taste clean, and deliver a crisp, tart acidity. A Sancerre will have vibrant acidity and lively citrus and herbaceous notes. A Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc will offer more green bell pepper and tropical fruit notes.

If you can't get your hands on either of these, any unoaked Sauvignon Blanc will work. You'll get more green bell pepper and tropical fruit notes than with a Sancerre. You can also try similar wines from countries like Chile, South Africa, and Australia.

When serving Brie with Sauvignon Blanc, consider what else is on the plate. If it's all savoury, stick with dry wines. But if you're adding a lot of sweetness (e.g. honey, jam, or fruit), you may want to go with something off-dry.

Brie is a soft-ripened cheese that originates from the Brie district of France. It is usually made from cow's milk, but it can also be made with sheep's milk. It has a nutty and tangy flavour profile, and its edible white rind adds a touch of earthiness. The cheese starts off mild, but as you savour it, you'll uncover new layers.

Riesling

When it comes to choosing a wine to pair with brie, a light-bodied white wine with good acidity is the best option. Enter Riesling, a wine known for its lively acidity, fruity notes, and floral and mineral undertones.

The versatility of Riesling makes it a perfect match for all the different ways to serve brie. If you're serving brie with savoury snacks, a dry style of Riesling is the best choice. However, if you're adding a sweet topping or side, an off-dry or sweet Riesling will better complement and accentuate the cheese's natural sugars.

When selecting a Riesling to pair with brie, consider the Alsace region, which offers crisp, off-dry, and dry Rieslings with mouthwatering acidity. These wines provide an excellent value and are a great choice for brie pairings. Alternatively, look to Germany for a wide range of Riesling styles.

In the New World, explore fresh and minerally Rieslings from the Finger Lakes region in New York, USA, or turn to Australia and New Zealand for Southern Hemisphere options.

When pairing brie with wine, remember that the general rule is to choose something crisp and acidic to enhance the creamy taste of the cheese. However, as palates and tastes evolve, don't be afraid to experiment with unconventional pairings to discover new flavour combinations.

Frequently asked questions