Andy Montoya
Goat's cheese is a versatile, tangy, creamy, and buttery delight that pairs well with many wines. The most popular white wine pairing is Sauvignon Blanc, with its bright, acidic, citrusy, and verdant notes. However, goat's cheese is easy to pair with other wines, such as Riesling, Albarino, Pinot Grigio, and even beer. The key is to match the acidity of the cheese, which is usually prominent in fresh goat's cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine Type | White Wine |
| Wine Varietals | Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Chablis, Riesling, Albarino, Pinot Grigio, Unoaked Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Gamay, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais |
| Flavour Profile | Bright, Acidic, Citrusy, Tart, Crisp, Dry, Fruity, Floral, Verdant, Herbaceous |
| Cheese Type | Goat Cheese |
| Cheese Flavour Profile | Tangy, Creamy, Buttery, Thick, Rich |
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What You'll Learn
Sauvignon Blanc is a classic pairing
Goat's cheese is known for its creamy texture and tangy, buttery, and earthy flavour. It also has grassy notes and a pleasant citrusy taste. Sauvignon Blanc, with its crisp, dry, and refreshing characteristics, is an excellent match for goat's cheese. The wine's acidity and mineral-driven profile enhance the creaminess of the cheese, imparting herbal flavours.
The Loire Valley in France, known for producing goat's cheese, also offers excellent Sauvignon Blanc options. The region's cool climate and soil characteristics contribute to the wine's distinctive style. When choosing a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, look for labels like Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, or Sauvignon de Touraine. These wines are known for their crispness and citrus notes, making them ideal for bringing out the subtle flavours of goat's cheese.
While goat's cheese and Sauvignon Blanc are a classic pairing, other wine options can also complement the cheese. For instance, if you prefer red wine, a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley can be an excellent choice. Its lighter style, herbaceous notes, and tart acidity pair well with the cheese without overwhelming its delicate nature. Other red wines that can work well with goat's cheese include Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah, known for their higher acidity and delicate flavours.
In addition to Sauvignon Blanc, white wines like Chenin Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, and Chablis can also be good choices. These wines offer crisp and refreshing profiles that match the tangy flavour of goat's cheese. For a more indulgent experience, a limited-edition goat cheese and wine pairing set can be a great option, featuring carefully selected wines and a variety of goat cheeses.
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Other citrussy whites like Riesling or Albarino
While Sauvignon Blanc is a classic pairing with goat cheese, other citrussy white wines like Riesling or Albarino can also be excellent choices. These crisp, dry, and acidic wines complement the tangy, creamy, and buttery qualities of goat cheese, creating a sophisticated and flavourful combination.
Riesling, a Spanish white wine, is known for its vibrant citrus flavour and tart acidity, similar to Sauvignon Blanc. Its fruit-forward and lush floral notes create a contrasting pairing with the milky, decadent flavour profile of goat cheese. Harder goat cheeses with notes of spice and smoke particularly enhance the distinct and pleasing floral characteristics of Riesling.
Albarino, another citrussy white, is noted for its citrus flavour profile, which brilliantly contrasts with the creamy textures found in fresh goat cheese. This pairing is especially recommended for those who enjoy the creaminess of goat cheese, as the bright, acidic flavours of Albarino help to cut through the richness of the cheese.
In addition to Riesling and Albarino, other crisp, dry, and citrussy white wines can also pair well with goat cheese. Examples include Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Chablis, and Picpoul de Pinet. These wines offer a refreshing and vibrant complement to the grassy notes and pleasant citrusy flavour of goat cheese, creating a well-rounded and satisfying sensory experience.
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Reds like Cabernet Franc or Gamay
If you're looking for a red wine to pair with goat cheese, you could try a Cabernet Franc or a Gamay.
Cabernet Franc is a red grape variety that is believed to have originated in southwest France in the 17th century. It is now grown in many regions, including the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Tuscany, California, and Hungary. The wine produced from this grape tends to have high acidity and relatively high tannins, with flavours ranging from tart red fruit to dried fruit and herbal notes, depending on the climate where it is grown. Lighter styles from cooler climates like the Loire Valley are a great match for goat cheese, as the wine's acidity and herbaceous notes complement the cheese's creamy texture and tart, earthy flavours.
Gamay is another red grape variety that is predominantly grown in Beaujolais, France, and the Loire Valley. It produces light-bodied, fruity wines with delicate floral aromas and subtle earthy notes. Gamay wines have high natural acidity and low tannin, making them very food-friendly. They are known to pair well with a wide array of dishes, including those featuring goat cheese.
When choosing a red wine to pair with goat cheese, look for a lighter-bodied style with herbaceous notes and high acidity, such as those found in Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley or Gamay from Beaujolais or the Loire Valley. These wines will complement the creamy texture and tangy flavours of the goat cheese without overwhelming its delicate nature.
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French wines from the Loire Valley
When it comes to white wines from the Loire Valley that pair well with goat cheese, the first choice is often Sauvignon Blanc. This is because goat cheese is a blank slate, ready to be enhanced by the wine's acidic, mineral-driven, and citrusy flavours. Other white wines from the region that are worth trying with goat cheese include Chenin Blanc, the Loire's most widely grown white grape, and wines from the Vouvray and Touraine regions.
If you're looking for a French wine from the Loire Valley to pair with goat cheese, you might want to try a sparkling wine like Crémant de Loire, or a wine from the Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, or Saint Bris regions. These wines are known for their crisp, dry, and acidic flavours, which complement the creaminess of goat cheese.
While red wines are not as commonly recommended to pair with goat cheese, the Loire Valley produces some excellent lighter styles with herbaceous notes and tart acidity that can work well. Look for wines made with Cabernet Franc grapes, such as Chinon, Bourgueil, Anjou, Coteaux du Loir, or Saumur. These wines will have a more delicate flavour that won't overwhelm the soft, impressionable nature of goat cheese.
Some specific goat cheeses from the Loire Valley that you might want to try with these wines include Valençay, Selles-sur-Cher, Sainte-Maure de Touraine, and Crottin de Chavignol.
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Beers with citrus notes, like Hoegaarden
When it comes to goat cheese, there are a variety of white wines that are often recommended for pairing, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Chenin Blanc. However, if you're looking for a beer with citrus notes to accompany your goat cheese, Hoegaarden is an excellent choice.
Hoegaarden is a Belgian wheat beer with a 500-year history, known for its unique flavour profile. The beer has subtle citrus notes, featuring the aroma of orange peel, coriander, and herbs. The addition of yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit, in the Hoegaarden Yuzu variation, enhances the beer's zesty and refreshing qualities. Its sparkling, medium body and soft, cloudy finish make it a delightful complement to the tanginess of goat cheese.
The citrus notes in Hoegaarden work harmoniously with the tart and tangy characteristics of goat cheese. The beer's slightly sweet and sour taste adds a delightful contrast, creating a well-rounded sensory experience. This combination of flavours is particularly enjoyable when paired with dishes that incorporate goat cheese, such as salads or cheeseboards.
In addition to Hoegaarden, other beer styles that showcase citrus characteristics can also be excellent choices to pair with goat cheese. For instance, a HeffeWeise beer, known for its citrus and clove flavours, can be a wonderful match. Belgian ales, especially those with a brettanomyces character, also complement goat cheese well. The unique flavours of these ales, often described as "funky," create an intriguing contrast with the creaminess of the cheese.
When considering beer and cheese pairings, it's important to look for beverages with a balance of sweetness, acidity, and bitterness that will enhance the flavour of the cheese without overwhelming it. The citrus notes in Hoegaarden and similar beers provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of goat cheese, making them a delightful choice for those who enjoy exploring the nuances of flavour combinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Sauvignon Blanc is a classic pairing with goat cheese.
Cabernet Franc is a classic red wine and goat cheese pairing.
Grilled goat cheese pairs well with Sauvignon Blanc, a very light soft red, or a Rosé d'Anjou.
Other good pairings for goat cheese include Chenin Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Chablis, Riesling, and Albariño.
Besides Cabernet Franc, other red wines that pair well with goat cheese include Pinot Noir, Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah.
