Kamil Perry
Goat cheese is one of the most versatile cheeses and is known for its complex and funky character. While it is one of the easiest cheeses to pair with wine, its layers of earthy and funky flavours can make goat cheese and wine pairing challenging. The right wine can result in a harmonious pairing with goat cheese, showcasing the flavours of both the cheese and the wine. A classic red wine that pairs well with goat cheese is Cabernet Franc.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Classic Red Wine Pairing | Cabernet Franc |
| Classic White Wine Pairing | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Red Wine Alternative Pairing | Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah |
| White Wine Alternative Pairing | Chardonnay, Riesling, Chenin Blanc |
| Beer Pairing | Belgian ales, especially those with a brettanomyces character |
| Rosé Pairing | Provence-style rosé |
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What You'll Learn
Sauvignon Blanc is a classic pairing
Sauvignon Blanc is produced in France's Loire Valley, which is also famous for goat cheese, making this pairing a regional one. When choosing a Sauvignon Blanc to pair with goat cheese, opt for those from the Loire Valley, such as Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, or Sauvignon de Touraine. These wines are known for their crisp, dry, and citrusy characteristics, which complement the tangy, creamy, and earthy notes of goat cheese.
While goat cheese is known for its complex and funky flavours, it is one of the easiest cheeses to pair with wine. Besides Sauvignon Blanc, other white wines that pair well with goat cheese include Chardonnay, Albarino, and Riesling. Chardonnay, especially those with creamy textures and refreshing flavours of apples and pears, pairs well with aged goat cheeses. Albarino, a Spanish white wine, offers bold acidity and citrusy flavours that can stand up to the tanginess of fresh goat cheese. Riesling, with its lush texture, fruit-forward taste, and refreshing acidity, complements both fresh and aged goat cheeses.
If you prefer red wine, Cabernet Franc is an excellent choice. Produced in the Loire Valley, it offers lighter styles with herbaceous notes and tart acidity that won't overwhelm the soft, impressionable nature of goat cheese. For a bolder red, Syrah from Washington state or California has big flavours of ripe summer berries that can mellow out the funky, bitter flavours sometimes found in goat cheese.
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Cabernet Franc is a great red option
When it comes to red wine and goat cheese pairings, Cabernet Franc is a great red option. This classic pairing is also a regional one. The Loire Valley, where goat cheese is the local specialty, produces excellent Cabernet Franc wines. These wines are known for their lighter style, with more herbaceous notes and tart acidity that complement the complex, earthy, and funky flavours of goat cheese.
Cabernet Franc is a particularly good choice if you prefer your goat cheese on the softer side. The wine's acidity and delicate flavours will enhance the cheese's impressionable nature without overwhelming it, as bigger, fruitier wines tend to do.
While Sauvignon Blanc is the most traditional pairing for goat cheese, those who prefer reds will enjoy Cabernet Franc for its ability to showcase the unique flavours of both the wine and the cheese. The Loire Valley's Sancerre Rouge, made with Pinot Noir grapes, is another excellent red option from the same region.
If you're looking for a red wine and goat cheese pairing from outside the Loire Valley, other cool-climate reds like Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah can also be a safe bet. These wines share the high acidity and subtle flavours characteristic of Cabernet Franc, making them versatile choices for a range of goat cheeses.
So, the next time you're planning a cheese night, remember that Cabernet Franc is a wonderful red wine option to pair with goat cheese. Its acidity and lightness will beautifully complement the cheese's complex flavours, resulting in a delightful sensory experience.
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Try a French Chardonnay
Goat cheese is known for its complex and funky character, which can make pairing it with wine a challenge. However, when in doubt, it is advisable to choose a wine and goat cheese combination from the same region, as this provides similar taste profiles. For instance, goat cheese from the Loire Valley in France can be paired with wines from the same region, such as Sauvignon Blanc for whites and Cabernet Franc for reds.
If you are looking for a wine to pair with aged goat cheese, Chardonnay is a great option. Choose a Chardonnay with a creamy texture and refreshing flavors of apples and pears, such as a French Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis. The acidity in Chardonnay will help to balance out the rich, earthy, and floral flavors of aged goat cheese.
A French Chardonnay, such as a Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis, is an excellent choice for pairing with aged goat cheese. The creamy texture and bright, fruity flavors of these wines will complement the earthy, floral notes of the cheese. Additionally, the acidity in the wine will help to cut through the richness of the cheese, creating a well-rounded and harmonious pairing.
When selecting a French Chardonnay to pair with aged goat cheese, look for options with minimal oak influence. While oak can add depth and complexity to Chardonnay, too much oak can overpower the delicate flavors of the cheese. Instead, opt for wines that showcase refreshing acidity and bright fruit flavors, such as apples and pears.
In addition to French Chardonnay, other wine options that pair well with aged goat cheese include Syrah from Washington state or California. These wines often exhibit lush flavors of ripe summer berries that can help to mellow out the funky, bitter flavors sometimes present in goat cheese. So, the next time you're looking to indulge in some aged goat cheese, don't forget to pick up a bottle of French Chardonnay to complete the experience.
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Go for a pale, crisp rosé
If you're serving a salad with fresh goat's cheese, a pale, crisp rosé is a brilliant pairing. A Provence-style rosé is a great choice to go with goat's cheese, and it's perfect for summer picnics. For a simple salad, mix high-quality balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper, and toss with goat's cheese.
A pale, crisp rosé is also a good choice if you're looking for a wine to go with a young goat's milk cheese like Le Pyramid from Lazy Lady Farm in Vermont. This type of cheese has a gorgeous, floral geotrichum rind and a bright, lemony acidity.
When choosing a rosé to pair with goat's cheese, look for something riper and rounder, perhaps something a bit sweet like an off-dry Riesling. You could also try a Chenin Blanc.
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Beers and ciders also work
Goat cheese has a sharp, intense, and creamy taste, so it is best paired with beers that have a soft taste and are not too bitter. Some examples of beers that pair well with goat cheese are:
- Saison
- Tripel (e.g. Karmeliet or Oedipus Thai Thai)
- Blond
- Porter
- Geuze
- Brettanomyces beer (e.g. Orval or Rebel Strop)
- Hefeweizen
- Belgian beer (e.g. Chimay or La Chouffe)
If you are looking for a cider to pair with goat cheese, a dry, crisp cider with subtle apple flavor or a sweeter cider with fruitier notes and a more pronounced apple taste are good options.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several red wines that pair well with goat cheese. These include:
- Cabernet Franc
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Syrah
The complex, earthy, and funky flavours of goat cheese can make it challenging to pair with wine. Goat cheese is also a blank slate, meaning wines with higher acidity can impart extra herbal flavours to the cheese. Wines from the same region as the cheese often pair well together.
White wines like Sauvignon Blanc are a classic pairing with goat cheese. Other options include Chardonnay, Riesling, and Provence-style rosé.
