Comte Cheese: The Perfect Wine Pairing Guide

Comté is a French AOC cheese, made from unpasteurised cow's milk in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. It is a flavourful, firm, and meltable cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or used in cooking. When it comes to wine pairings, the options vary depending on the age and flavour profile of the cheese. For instance, a fruity Comté with apricot and citrus aromas pairs well with a rich and fruity white wine, while an older, nuttier Comté may be better suited to a white wine or a lighter red wine.

Comte with Vin Jaune

Comté is a flavourful, firm, and meltable French AOC cheese. It is made from unpasteurised cow's milk in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. Comté is also known as Gruyère de Comté. The cheese is cooked and pressed, and the resulting flavour is nutty and salty with fruity, savoury notes.

Vin Jaune is a French wine variety from the Jura region. It is a classic local pairing with Comté, as the wines often display walnut characters, and Comté pairs well with walnuts. Vin Jaune is a full-bodied white wine with nutty, creamy, earthy, and mineral flavours.

When pairing cheese and wine, the principal aim is to find an enjoyable match and avoid clashes between all elements involved. The complement and the contrast methods can be used. The complement method involves matching like for like in intensity, structure, and flavour. The contrast method involves pairing opposites, such as sweet wines with salty cheeses. When pairing Comté with Vin Jaune, the complement method is used, as the nutty, creamy flavours of the Vin Jaune complement the nutty, savoury notes of the Comté.

The secret of a perfect match is to calibrate the texture and weight of both the cheese and the wine. The cheese flavour wheel can be used to understand the styles of cheese one likes and to make new discoveries. Similarly, the wine flavour wheel can be used to understand different wine styles.

Comte with walnuts

Comté, a semi-hard, pale-yellow cow's milk cheese, is one of the most well-loved cheeses in France. It is made from unpasteurized milk and has a mixture of nutty, fruity, sweet, and smoky flavours. The younger cheeses are more fresh and milky compared to the aged varieties. Comté is very versatile and can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, omelettes, casseroles, and more.

Walnuts are often served with Comté in the Jura region of France. The cheese is also commonly paired with wines such as Vin Jaune, which is known for its walnut characters.

Apple Comte Cheese Walnut Panini

This lip-smacking panini combines apples, cinnamon, sugar, multigrain bread, and walnuts. The addition of Comté gives it a smoky taste.

Sprout, Comté & Walnut Tart

This tasty tart combines seasonal sprouts with walnuts in a spelt and pumpkin seed pastry case.

Crostini with Beet and Walnut Puree, Parsley, and Shaved Comté

This recipe combines beet and walnut puree with shaved Comté, parsley, and toasted walnuts. The earthiness of the beet complements the cheese's sweet, brown buttery notes, while the walnuts highlight its rich flavours.

Young Comte with Gamay Noir

Gamay Noir, a red wine made from Gamay grapes, is known for its bright, juicy fruit flavours, often showcasing notes of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. It typically exhibits a light to medium body, soft tannins, and lively acidity, making it an excellent choice for a young Comte. The wine's fruity character harmonises beautifully with the slight fruitiness of the cheese, creating a delightful symphony of flavours.

On the other hand, young Comte, which has not yet developed the intense nuttiness and saltiness of its older counterpart, offers a delightful creaminess and subtle fruity notes. This cheese is less challenging to pair with wine, as its delicate characteristics complement a wide range of wines, including reds like Gamay Noir. The creamy texture of the cheese is a perfect match for the soft tannins and bright fruit flavours of the wine.

When pairing young Comte with Gamay Noir, you'll find that the wine's acidity cuts through the creaminess of the cheese, refreshing your palate and preparing it for the next bite. The soft tannins in the wine also complement the cheese's texture, creating a harmonious and well-balanced pairing. This combination is a wonderful example of how a light- to medium-bodied red wine can enhance the experience of enjoying a young, slightly fruity cheese.

Additionally, the versatility of Comte and Gamay Noir allows for further exploration of complementary pairings. For instance, you could try pairing a slightly older Comte, aged for around 15 months, with a biodynamic Champagne. The nuttier and more intense flavours of the older Comte will find a delightful contrast in the bubbly, fruity Champagne. Alternatively, a younger, fruitier Comte with apricot and citrus aromas would pair exquisitely with a rich and fruity white wine, showcasing how the age and flavour profile of the cheese can guide your wine selection.

Mature Comte with Bordeaux

When it comes to wine and cheese pairings, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the age and flavour profile of the cheese come into play. The texture, saltiness and pungency of the cheese will also influence the wine pairing, as will the wine's structure and sweetness.

Mature Comté is a hard cheese with nutty, fruity and savoury profile. It has a firm texture and is perfect for a charcuterie board, served with simple accompaniments like toasted nuts, rich preserves and cured meats. When pairing a mature Comté with Bordeaux, consider the following:

Red or White?

The choice between a red or white wine depends on the specific flavour profile of your mature Comté. If it has particularly strong nutty and savoury notes, a full-bodied red Bordeaux blend will complement these flavours. However, if the cheese has more subtle fruity notes, a white wine may be a better option. A mature white Bordeaux or a white wine from the Jura region, such as a Vin Jaune, can provide a nice contrast to the cheese while still complementing its flavour profile.

Tannins and Body

When pairing with mature Comté, look for a wine with velvety tannins, such as a Bordeaux blend. The tannins in red wines bind to the protein and fat in the cheese, cleansing your palate after each bite. Mature Comté, being an older cheese, will have a lower moisture content and a higher fat content, so the tannins in a Bordeaux blend will not be overly astringent. Additionally, the body of a Bordeaux will stand up to the bold flavours of the mature Comté without being overpowered.

Other Considerations

The weight and texture of the cheese should also be considered when pairing with wine. A mature Comté has a firmer texture, so look for a wine with a similar weight and texture. For example, a full-bodied white wine with creamy flavours or a red Bordeaux with a velvety texture can complement the cheese's mouthfeel.

In conclusion, when pairing a mature Comté with Bordeaux, consider the specific flavour profile of your cheese and choose a wine that will complement or contrast its flavours. Look for a Bordeaux blend with velvety tannins and a body that can stand up to the boldness of the cheese. Finally, consider the weight and texture of the cheese to find a wine that will create a harmonious palate sensation.

Comte with Jura white wines

Comté is a flavourful, firm, and meltable French AOC cheese. It is made from unpasteurized cow's milk in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. The cheese is aged for an average of eight months, resulting in a nutty and salty flavour with fruity and savoury notes. The best wine pairings for Comté depend on the age and flavour profile of the cheese.

When it comes to Jura white wines, several options can complement Comté cheese. Firstly, dry Arbois whites, made from a blend of Chardonnay and the local Savagnin grape, are an excellent choice. The nutty, slightly earthy, and mineral character of these wines pairs well with the cheese. Another option is Vin Jaune, which is known for its walnut notes, making it a good match for Comté as the cheese pairs well with walnuts.

In addition to these classic pairings, mature or aged white Burgundy, also known as Viognier, can be a suitable pairing for Comté. These wines often have nutty and creamy flavours that complement the cheese. When choosing a Jura white wine to pair with Comté, look for wines with nutty, creamy, or mineral flavours that will enhance the cheese's flavour profile.

When serving Comté with Jura white wines, it is essential to consider the temperature and presentation. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving, and arrange the cheeseboard in order of style and strength to avoid overwhelming your palate. Additionally, ensure each person receives equal portions of rind and paste when cutting and presenting the cheese.

Frequently asked questions