Wine And Cheese Quiche: The Perfect Pairing

Selecting the right wine to accompany your cheese quiche is a delicate task. The rich, savoury, and creamy nature of quiche means that the wine must be chosen carefully to ensure a harmonious pairing. A full-bodied white wine is a popular choice, with Chardonnay often being recommended as the perfect partner for a classic cheese quiche. However, other factors such as the type of cheese, additional ingredients, and cooking method can also influence the ideal wine pairing.

Chardonnay

For a classic Quiche Lorraine, which combines a crisp crust with a rich mix of eggs, cheese and lardons, a Chardonnay can be a perfect pairing. Its buttery notes play nicely with the cheese's richness, and its crisp finish cuts through the creaminess, refreshing your palate with each bite. Chardonnay's range of styles, from buttery to unoaked, can balance the quiche's creamy texture and savoury flavour profile.

Pinot Noir

A light red wine, Pinot Noir is a versatile choice when it comes to wine and cheese pairings. However, it is a delicate grape, so it is important not to overpower it with strong, stinky cheeses or fresh goat cheeses.

When it comes to cheese, sheep's milk cheeses often pair well with Pinot Noir. This is because they have a salty, buttery, nutty flavour that is enhanced by the fruitiness of the wine. Examples of sheep's milk cheeses that go well with Pinot Noir include Abbaye de Belloc, a French cheese from the Basque region, and Zamorano, a Spanish cheese.

Other types of cheese that pair well with Pinot Noir include:

• Soft, washed-rind cheeses like Taleggio and Brie
• Nutty, medium-firm cheeses like Gruyere and Gouda
• Less cheesy, soft cheeses like Camembert
• Light, tangy blue cheeses like Cambozola

When pairing wine and cheese, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. The more generous the flavour of the cheese, the more generous the flavour of the wine should be, and vice versa. It is also worth noting that wines and cheeses produced in the same region often work well together.

Beaujolais

When it comes to wine, Beaujolais is a light-bodied, fruity red from the region of Lyon in France. It is a versatile wine that goes well with many appetisers and snacks, and its bright acidity and low tannins make it a good match for the creaminess of a cheese quiche.

While Beaujolais is subtle, it also delivers earthier notes of forest floor and mineral that complement any mushrooms, spinach, or other vegetables in your quiche. Beaujolais-Villages is a great choice for a picnic, and if you want to elevate your experience, select a Beaujolais-Cru, such as a Beaujolais Fleurie. This elegant red wine features aromas of violet, lilac, rose, and iris that mingle perfectly with the outdoors.

• Brie: This soft and creamy French cheese pairs well with the fruity flavours of Beaujolais.
• Mild Cheddar: Choose a gentle, mild English cheddar to complement the light red.
• Edam: This semi-hard, creamy, slightly nutty cheese from Holland matches the fruity flavours of Beaujolais.
• Munster: A French, semi-soft cow's milk cheese that can range from mild to sharp. Go for a milder version to accompany the light wine.
• Swiss: The well-known, mild, nutty-flavoured Swiss cheese is a perfect counterpoint to the soft fruitiness of Beaujolais.

So, if you're looking for a wine to pair with your cheese quiche, Beaujolais is an excellent choice. Its light, fruity, and playful character will elevate your dining experience, especially if you're enjoying your quiche outdoors.

Riesling

When it comes to wine, cheese quiche is a versatile partner. However, the wine must be able to stand up to the strong flavours of the cheese and cut through the creaminess of the quiche. This is where Riesling comes in.

When pairing sweet Riesling with cheese, try to match the weight and intensity of the wine and cheese. For example, a young Gruyère cheese pairs well with a lighter, drier Riesling, while a stronger, more intense cheese like Roquefort is better matched with a sweeter, more intense Riesling.

Chenin Blanc

The high acidity of Chenin Blanc cuts through the richness and creaminess of a cheese quiche. The wine's ability to range from dry to sweet makes it adaptable to the flavours of the quiche. It is a good choice for a cheese quiche as it can stand up to strong flavours without overwhelming them.

The versatility of Chenin Blanc extends to its styles, which include sparkling, light, fruity, dry, and full-bodied. The specific style of Chenin Blanc that would pair best with a cheese quiche is the dry and acidic style. This style has high acidity, a light flow, and aromatic qualities that complement fatty, fried, robust, or rich foods. The acidity of the wine will cut through the fat and cream of the quiche, enhancing its flavours.

The cheese quiche is a decadent, creamy, and melty dish. The type of cheese used can vary, from cheddar to gruyere to mozzarella, each bringing its own unique flavour profile. The cheese quiche is a strong-flavoured dish, so it is important to choose a wine that can stand up to these flavours without being overpowered.

The dry and acidic Chenin Blanc is a good choice for a cheese quiche as it has the acidity to cut through the richness of the quiche while also being able to adapt to its flavours. The wine's versatility and ability to range from dry to sweet make it a good match for the cheese quiche, creating a harmonious pairing that enhances the dining experience.

Frequently asked questions