Andy Montoya
Cheddar cheese is nutty and cold, with the right hint of sweetness. When aged, cheddars can get saltier, sharper, and crumbly, making them the perfect pairing for wine. While most people reach for a glass of red wine when having cheddar, many believe that white wines are a far better match. White wines contain enough acidity to cut through the fattiness of the cheese and provide the perfect pairing. Red wines, on the other hand, can sometimes have strong tannins and bold flavours that can overwhelm the delicate flavours in the cheese. So, what white wines go best with cheddar cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine Type | White Wine |
| Wine Variety | Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Champagne, Prosecco, Pinot Grigio |
| Flavour | Dry, Sweet, Crisp, Light-Bodied, Full-Bodied, Nutty, Earthy, Strawberry, Apple, Toasty Citrus, Bubbly Fizz, Stone Fruit, Lime, Green Leafy Herbs, Tropical Fruits, Peach Blossom, Spicy, Smoky, Tangy, Toffee |
| Cheese Type | Cheddar |
| Cheese Variety | Mild, Medium, Aged, Clothbound, Sharp, Nutty, Cold, Salty, Crumbly, Bold, Bolder, Heavier, Creamy |
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What You'll Learn
Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are good with goat's cheese
When it comes to wine and cheese, most people automatically think of red wine. However, white wine is actually a much better partner for many types of cheese. This is because full-bodied reds can often overpower the flavour of the cheese. White wines, fortified wines, and lighter reds are often a much better match.
Sauvignon Blanc and goats cheese are a match made in heaven. The acidity and upfront fruity and grassy flavours of the Sauvignon Blanc are the perfect foil for the sourness and dryness of goat cheese. France's Loire Valley is famous for both chèvre and the Sauvignon Blanc-based wine Sancerre. The high acidity of the Sauvignon Blanc wines from this region, as well as their citrusy and mineral notes, impart all kinds of new flavours into the creaminess of the goat cheese. Other Sauvignon Blancs that work well with goat cheese include Pouilly Fumé and Sauvignon de Touraine.
If you're looking for an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, there are a few options. Firstly, Chardonnay is a versatile choice that can be clean, crisp, and light-bodied, or oaky, rich, and full-bodied. When selecting a Chardonnay to pair with goat cheese, consider the wine's oak content. A Chardonnay with a creamy texture and refreshing flavours of apples and pears, such as a French Macon-Villages, Pouilly-Fuisse, or Chablis, will complement the cheese well.
Other white wine options that pair well with goat cheese include Albarino, a Spanish wine known for its bold acidity and citrusy flavour, and Chenin Blanc, the most widely grown white grape in the Loire Valley.
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Champagne is a versatile choice
While many people automatically reach for a red wine when they think of wine and cheese, white wine is actually a much better partner for many types of cheese, including cheddar. White wines have enough acidity to cut through the fattiness of cheese, and fewer tannins than reds, which can overpower the delicate flavours in the cheese.
When selecting a white wine to pair with cheddar, consider the cheese's maturity. A mild to medium block cheddar will be much easier to match than an aged clothbound cheddar that’s already been ageing for 18 months or more.
A Chardonnay is a good choice to pair with cheddar, as its subtle flavours allow the flavours of the cheese to shine. When selecting a Chardonnay, consider the wine's oak content. Chardonnays aged in oak complement sharp cheddar cheese’s bold and sophisticated flavours, bringing out the fruitiness of the wine and the mellowness of the cheese.
For a cheaper alternative, try a Chardonnay IGP Coteaux de Beziers 2021 from Domaine Preignes le Neuf – while it doesn't have as much body, it still works well with a good cheese sandwich.
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Riesling is a good option for multiple cheeses
While many people automatically think of red wine when it comes to cheese, white wine is actually a much better partner for many types of cheese. This is because white wines contain enough acidity to cut through the fattiness of cheese, providing the perfect pairing. Red wines, on the other hand, can sometimes have strong tannins and bold flavours that can overwhelm the delicate flavours in the cheese.
If you're looking for a wine to pair with a plate of multiple cheeses, Riesling is also a good choice. Its well-balanced sweetness, acidity, mineral notes, and tropical fruits make it pair well with a wide range of cheeses. Riesling is an off-dry, light-bodied white wine with peach blossom and stone fruit flavours.
When pairing wine with cheddar, it's important to consider the maturity of the cheese. A mild to medium block cheddar will be much easier to match than an aged cloth-bound cheddar that's been ageing for 18 months or more.
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Aged cheddar pairs well with Pinot Noir
While many people automatically think of red wine as the go-to partner for cheese, white wine is often a much better match. This is because red wine can sometimes have strong tannins and bold flavours that can overpower the delicate flavours in the cheese. White wines, on the other hand, have far fewer tannins and more acidity, which is perfect for cutting through the fattiness of cheese.
When it comes to cheddar, a heavier, bolder cheese, a wine that can lift it without being overwhelmed is required. The fattiness of aged cheddar pairs beautifully with the mouth-drying tannins found in most Cabernet Sauvignons, with their bold flavours complementing each other. However, for a nuttier, medium-firm cheddar, a light- to medium-bodied red wine with dry characteristics and ripe red fruit flavours, such as a Pinot Noir, is a good choice.
Aged cheddars can be saltier, sharper and crumbly, making them a perfect pairing for wine. The earthy notes of a Pinot Noir work well with the bold and sophisticated flavours of an aged cheddar, bringing out the fruitiness of the wine and the mellowness of the cheese.
If you are looking for a white wine to pair with your aged cheddar, a Chardonnay is a good choice. Chardonnays aged in oak, in particular, complement the sharp, bold and sophisticated flavours of an aged cheddar.
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White wine is better than red with cheddar
While many people automatically think of red wine when it comes to cheese, white wine is actually a much better partner for many types of cheese, including cheddar. This is because full-bodied reds can often overpower the delicate flavours in the cheese with their strong tannins and bold flavours. White wines, on the other hand, contain enough acidity to cut through the fattiness of the cheese, providing the perfect pairing.
When it comes to cheddar, in particular, a good rule of thumb is that the wine you choose should complement the maturity of the cheese. A mild to medium block cheddar will be much easier to match than an aged cloth-bound cheddar that’s already been ageing for 18 months or more. For a younger cheddar, a white wine or a very light red like a Pinot Noir, Schiava from Alto Adige, or Beaujolais is recommended.
For an aged cheddar, a white wine like a Chardonnay is a great choice. Its subtle flavours allow the flavours of the cheese to shine, and its acidity cuts through the creamy richness. An oaked or moderately oaked Chardonnay works particularly well with the bold and sophisticated flavours of a sharp cheddar.
Another option for aged cheddar is a sparkling wine like Champagne, which goes well with a wide variety of foods. The bubbles function as a palate cleanser, and the apple flavours and toasty citrus of the Champagne taste well with the close-textured hardness of cheddar. A semi-dry Riesling is also a good choice to balance the intense flavours of a powerful cheddar.
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Frequently asked questions
Some white wines that go with cheddar cheese include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.
A mild to medium block cheddar will be much easier to match than an aged clothbound cheddar that’s already been aged for 18 months or more.
Beer and cider are classic drinks that go well with cheddar cheese.
Champagne and sparkling wines like Prosecco are good options to pair with cheddar cheese.
Some other types of cheese that go well with white wine include goat cheese, blue cheese, and parmesan.
