The Perfect Wine And Brie Cheese Pairing Guide

Brie is a soft-ripened cheese that originated 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 creamy, almost buttery texture and subtle, earthy notes. The best wine to pair with brie will depend on the maturity of the cheese. Brie's nutty and tangy flavour profile makes it a versatile cheese with many different natural pairings. A mature brie goes well with a powerful, complex wine, while a younger brie works well with a light, crisp wine. Most pairings for brie are found on the side of low-tannin white wines and crisp sparkling wines, though fruity and light-bodied reds can also bring out the best in brie.

Sparkling wines like Prosecco or Cava

When choosing a sparkling wine to pair with brie, it is important to consider the sweetness of the wine. Brie is a mild and creamy cheese, so you'll want to select a Brut or Extra Brut sparkling wine, which is extra dry. The drier the wine, the higher the acidity, which is essential for cutting through the richness of the cheese.

Prosecco, for example, offers clean flavours of pear, apple, almond, melon, and mineral that complement the earthy, nutty, and fruity notes found in brie. Cava, on the other hand, is a Spanish sparkling wine that provides a crisp and refreshing palate cleanser.

In addition to Prosecco and Cava, there are other sparkling wine options that can pair well with brie. A Blanc de Blancs Champagne, made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, is an excellent choice for its complex flavours of almond, apple, apricot, and more. Other sparkling wines from regions like Australia, England, and New Zealand can also be explored for unique and adventurous pairings.

When serving brie with sparkling wine, consider the accompaniments. If you're adding honey, jam, or fruit to your cheese plate, you may want to choose an off-dry or sweeter sparkling wine to complement the added sweetness. On the other hand, if your brie is served with savoury items like crackers or bread, a dry sparkling wine will be a better match.

Unoaked Chardonnay

Brie is a soft-ripened cheese that originated from the Brie district of France. It is usually made from cow's milk, but can also be made with sheep's milk. It is known for its milky, edible rind and creamy, gooey interior. When it comes to wine pairings, brie is incredibly versatile, ranging from young, milky brie to mature, fatty brie. A mature brie needs a powerful, complex wine, while a younger brie works well with a light, crisp wine.

When choosing an unoaked Chardonnay to pair with brie, look for wines that highlight the green apple, lemon, and pineapple flavours of the Chardonnay grape. Some specific recommendations include:

• Apaltagua Reserva Chardonnay from Casablanca Valley, Chile: This wine offers lemon and citrus notes with a hint of yellow apple.
• Chehalem INOX Unoaked Chardonnay from Oregon: This wine has massive floral character as well as white peach notes.
• Ettore Germano Unoaked Chardonnay from Langhe, Serralunga d’Alba, Italy: This wine is made in stainless steel tanks and has tarragon and orange-like aromas with a creamy texture.
• Domaine de Bernier, Unoaked Chardonnay from Loire Valley, France: A super crisp and dry wine with lemon flavours.

Pinot Noir

If you're looking for a bottle to make your next brie experience memorable, try a Pinot Noir from the Burgundy region, brie's neighbouring region in France. While it may be expensive, it will be a worthwhile match. For more affordable options, look to Germany, where the wine is known as Spätburgunder, or Italy, where it is called Pinot Nero. You can also find great value Pinot Noirs from Chile.

When pairing Pinot Noir with brie, consider the cheese's accompaniments. If you're serving something sweet like honey or jam, a semi-sweet wine like Riesling or Moscato may be a better choice.

Merlot

Brie is a delicate soft cheese with a mildly chalky texture and a nutty, sweet, yet tangy flavour. It is produced from cow's or sheep's milk and is named after the region in France where it is made.

When pairing Merlot with brie, it is important to select a Merlot with low tannin activity. A vintage Merlot with low tannin levels will pair perfectly with the cheese. The soft, velvety texture of Merlot matches the buttery richness of brie. The strong fruity aroma and flavour of Merlot will cut through the rich, fatty flavour of aged brie.

While it might not be a classic pairing, Merlot can be a good wine pairing with brie. Its smooth and approachable nature, with soft tannins, means it won't overshadow the delicate, creamy texture of brie. However, it is worth noting that Merlot's medium acidity levels won't provide as much of a palate-cleansing effect as higher-acid reds.

Sauvignon Blanc

When it comes to choosing a Sauvignon Blanc to pair with brie, a French Sancerre or a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand are excellent options. These styles offer vibrant acidity and lively citrus and herbaceous notes that cut through the richness of the brie. If you can't get your hands on a Sancerre, any unoaked Sauvignon Blanc will work. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, in particular, has the crisp acidity that this rich cheese needs, with more green bell pepper and tropical fruit notes.

If you're looking for a wine to elevate your brie-centred meal or snack, Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice. Its crisp and refreshing qualities make it a perfect pairing for brie, especially during warmer months or as a starter to a meal.

Frequently asked questions