Bushra Griffith
Brie is one of the world's most popular cheeses, with a flavour profile that's nutty, tangy, and mildly creamy. Its versatility means it can be paired with a variety of wines, from reds to whites and sparkling wines. The type of wine to serve with brie depends on the maturity of the cheese—younger, milder cheeses go well with lighter wines, while more mature, intensely flavoured cheeses pair better with more structured wines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine Type | Sparkling wine, light or medium-bodied white wine, light-bodied red wine, heavier red wine |
| Flavour | Sweet, dry, acidic, fruity, nutty, earthy |
| Wine Variety | Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Prosecco, Moscato, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Barolo |
| Brie Type | Young, fresh, mature, rich, baked |
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What You'll Learn
Brie and sparkling wine
When it comes to wine and cheese, it is an art to pair them together. Brie, a soft cheese with a buttery and nutty flavour, can be paired with a variety of red and white wines. The best wine to be paired with brie depends on the maturity of the cheese. Young and fresh brie has a mild taste, while mature brie is rich and gooey with a more robust and nuttier flavour.
A sparkling wine and cheese pairing is a popular choice for brie lovers. The ultimate sparkling wine with brie cheese is Blanc de Blancs Champagne from France. Blanc de Blancs is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes and is excellent with creamy and earthy foods, like brie. The high acidity in the Champagne brings out the rich brie flavours, while the bubbles scrub your mouth clean of all the cheese fats and proteins.
Italian Prosecco, a sparkling wine, is also a good pairing with brie. It features clean flavours of pear, apple, almond, melon, and mineral that go well with the earthy, nutty, and fruity flavours of brie. A Brut Prosecco, which is extra dry, is recommended as the sweeter a sparkling wine is, the less acidity you will find. Acidity is a must to cut through the fats and proteins of brie cheese.
Champagne, a sparkling wine, is another good pairing with brie. Its citrusy bright acid and bubbles contrast with the creamy richness of brie.
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Young vs. mature Brie
Young Brie has a mild taste that combines buttery and nutty flavours. It is best paired with lighter wines, such as:
- Sauvignon Blanc, a cold, crisp white wine with fruity notes and refreshing acidity that complement the creamy flavour of young Brie.
- Riesling, a white wine with acidity and berry notes that can be served with both sweet and savoury meals.
- Pinot Noir, a medium-bodied red wine with low tannins that will not overpower the creaminess of young Brie.
As Brie ripens, its flavour becomes more robust and nutty. More mature bries require more structured wines, such as:
- Merlot, a fruity but not too tannic red wine that can be a good match for mature Brie.
- Wines from Central Otago, which are powerful and structured and can stand up to the intense flavour of mature Brie.
- Chenin Blanc, a white wine with green apple notes, some sweetness, and a creamy texture that can work well with mature, runny Brie.
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Red wine recommendations
When pairing red wine with brie, it is recommended to opt for a light-bodied, fruit-forward style with good acidity. Brie's creamy texture and mild, nutty flavour can be overpowered by full-bodied reds like Rioja or sweet wines like port. Therefore, it is best to avoid tannic red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for a brie and red wine pairing. It is a medium-bodied red wine with low tannins and notes of fresh strawberries and cherries, making it a great match for the cheese's nutty and creamy flavour profile. While good Pinot Noir can be pricey, it is worth serving at intimate gatherings involving brie. Beaujolais, a light and fruity red wine with notes of cherries, raspberries, strawberries and plums, is another excellent choice. Its bright, fresh red fruit notes will bring out the tanginess of the cheese.
If you are looking for a more mature brie or brie-style cheese, you may need a more powerful, structured wine such as a fruity (but not too tannic) Merlot or a ripe 'cru' Beaujolais from a good vintage.
While it is generally recommended to avoid tannic red wines, the proteins and fats in brie can smooth out the wine, reducing its tannin content. Therefore, even heavier red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Barolo, or Shiraz can be paired with brie, although these are better suited for a main course rather than an appetizer.
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White wine recommendations
When it comes to white wine, there are several options that can be paired with brie cheese. The best wine to pair with brie depends on the maturity of the cheese. Young brie has a mild taste that combines buttery and nutty flavours, while more mature brie has a more robust and nuttier flavour.
A light or medium-bodied white wine with crisp, high acidity is a good choice to accompany brie. The acidity helps to cut through the fats and proteins of the cheese. Sauvignon Blanc is a popular choice, with its flavours of lemon, lime, grapefruit, grass and green herbs. The grassy and tangy citrus notes of this wine complement the fruitiness and earthiness of the brie. A French Sancerre or a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand are particularly good choices.
Riesling is another white wine varietal that pairs well with brie. Its lively acidity and fruity notes, such as green apple, citrus and stone fruits, complement the mild, nutty and sweet flavours of the cheese. Riesling is also versatile and works well with the different ways brie can be served. For savoury snacks, a dry style Riesling is recommended, while sweeter toppings or sides pair well with an off-dry or sweet Riesling.
Sparkling wines, such as Prosecco and Moscato, can also be good choices to pair with brie. The bubbles and acidity of these wines refresh the palate and enhance the creamy richness of the cheese.
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Sweet vs. dry wine
When it comes to wine and cheese, pairing is an art. Brie, a perennial favourite, is a soft cheese with a creamy texture and a mild, buttery, nutty flavour. The best wine to pair with brie will depend on the maturity of the cheese. Young brie has a mild taste, while more mature brie has a more robust and nuttier flavour.
Sweet wines are very sweet and you will know them when you taste them. The sweetness of a wine depends on the amount of fermentation it underwent. Wines become gradually drier as sugar is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide through fermentation. Therefore, the higher the quantity of sugar grapes have before fermentation, the more sugar will remain in the wine. Grapes grown in warmer climates will generally have a higher sugar content due to increased sunlight. Conversely, grapes grown in cooler climates will have lower sugar content and are therefore more optimal for dry wines.
When it comes to pairing wine with brie, dry wines tend to be a good match. However, if your brie is on the funkier side, a touch of sweetness in your wine can make it more approachable. For creamier bries, a wine with a little acidity or effervescence is a good choice. For mature bries, a more structured wine is recommended. A light-bodied, fruit-forward red wine with good acidity can complement the mild flavour of brie. A sparkling wine is also a popular choice for brie lovers.
Some specific wines that pair well with brie include a light or medium-bodied white wine, such as Chardonnay, a fruity red like Pinot Noir, or a crisp, off-dry or dry Riesling. For a sunny brunch or picnic, a Rosé or a Moscato can be a good choice.
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Frequently asked questions
The best wine to pair with Brie depends on the maturity of the cheese. Lighter wines are better suited for younger, milder cheeses, while more structured wines complement the intense flavours of a mature Brie.
Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Champagne are great options. A sparkling wine or Prosecco can also be a good choice to cut through the creaminess of the cheese.
Blanc de Blancs Champagne is an excellent choice, as it has high acidity that brings out the rich flavours of Brie, and its bubbles scrub your mouth clean of the cheese's fats and proteins.
Yes, lighter reds such as Pinot Noir and Beaujolais are good options. Pinot Noir is acidic, which helps to cleanse your palate between bites of Brie.
Yes, you can choose to either complement or contrast the flavours of Brie with your wine selection. For example, you could contrast the creamy richness of Brie with a bright, citrusy Champagne or complement its nutty/earthy characteristics with a sweet wine like Sauternes.
