Andy Montoya
Wine and cheese is a classic combination, but finding the right wine to pair with Gruyère cheese can be a challenge. The nutty, creamy, and slightly sweet characteristics of Gruyère call for a wine that can complement or contrast with its unique flavour profile. So, which wines pair best with this Swiss cheese? Wine specialists recommend several options, including Burgundy Pinot Noir, Dry German Riesling, Alsace Pinot Gris, Italian Pecorino, and Gewürztraminer. These wines offer a range of flavour profiles that enhance the characteristics of Gruyère, from its nutty notes to its creamy texture. Other factors, such as the temperature and origin of the wine, can also influence the pairing experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine Type | Pinot Noir, Burgundy Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Gamay Noir, Zweigelt, Dry German Riesling, Alsace Pinot Gris, Italian Pecorino, Italian red wine, Jura red wine, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Chablis |
| Wine Flavor | Red fruit notes, earthy undertones, tart cherry flavors, subtle hints of truffle, light body, high acidity, crisp, aromatic, spicy, nutty, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger |
| Cheese Type | Medium-firm cheese, nutty flavors |
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What You'll Learn
Pinot Noir
When it comes to wine and cheese, there are endless options for consumers, with a wide range of flavour profiles to choose from. However, a popular choice to pair with Gruyère cheese is Pinot Noir.
A Burgundy Pinot Noir, in particular, is an excellent choice to pair with Gruyère. The wine's tart cherry flavours and subtle hints of truffle enhance the creamy texture and umami profile of the cheese. The light body of the Pinot Noir also ensures it doesn't overwhelm the cheese, creating a balanced pairing that brings out the best in both.
For those who enjoy a glass of red wine, Pinot Noir is a versatile and tasty choice to pair with Gruyère cheese, whether enjoyed on its own or as part of a dish.
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Sauvignon Blanc
The nutty flavour of Gruyere complements the aroma and complexity of Sauvignon Blanc. While the wine is known for its pungent aroma and acidic flavour, the rich and creamy flavours of Gruyere help to balance out the wine, creating a harmonious pairing. The refreshing acidity of Sauvignon Blanc also makes it a good match for the creaminess of Gruyere.
When pairing wine with Gruyere, it is important to consider options that can complement or contrast its nutty and creamy characteristics. In addition to Sauvignon Blanc, other wines that pair well with Gruyere include Burgundy Pinot Noir, Dry German Riesling, Alsace Pinot Gris, and Italian Pecorino. These wines enhance the cheese's nutty and slightly sweet flavours, as well as its creamy texture and umami profile.
However, it is worth noting that the Graves region of Bordeaux produces a Sauvignon Blanc that pairs with Gruyere. While it may not be the ideal pairing, it can still be a enjoyable combination. The key to successful wine and cheese pairings is to consider the complex taste and smell profiles of both elements, as they often differ from each other.
In conclusion, Sauvignon Blanc can be a good choice to pair with Gruyere cheese due to its ability to complement the cheese's nutty flavour and balance its creamy texture. However, there are also other wine options available that can enhance the unique characteristics of Gruyere.
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Chardonnay
Gruyère is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or in dishes such as fondue, pasta, and baked dishes. Chardonnay, with its crisp and zippy characteristics, can be a good choice to pair with dishes featuring Gruyère cheese. For example, a Chardonnay could be a good choice to pair with a mushroom mac and cheese dish with baked Gruyère cheese.
When serving Chardonnay with Gruyère, it is recommended to take the cheese out of the fridge about an hour beforehand so that it is not too cold. Similarly, the Chardonnay should be left out for 15-20 minutes before drinking to ensure the ideal temperature for enjoying the wine.
In conclusion, Chardonnay can be a good choice for pairing with Gruyère cheese, especially when considering a crisp and zippy variety. The wine can complement or contrast the nutty and creamy characteristics of the cheese, providing a refreshing contrast to its creamy texture. Chardonnay's versatility as a wine that can be enjoyed with Gruyère on its own or in various dishes makes it a suitable option for wine and cheese pairings.
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Jura red wine
Jura wine is produced in the Jura département, a small, secluded wine region in France, located between Burgundy and Switzerland or the Swiss Alps. Jura wines are known for their distinctiveness and unusualness, with a history of winemaking that goes back centuries. The region is characterised by a landscape of wooded hillsides and a twisting topography.
The region's cool climate and challenging conditions result in wines that are quite unlike those made anywhere else in the world. Jura's most famous and distinguishable wine is Vin Jaune, often likened to sherry. The only permitted grape variety for Vin Jaune is Savagnin, a white grape variety. After fermentation, the wine is stored in Burgundian ageing barrels for six years or more, during which time it oxidises and grows a film of yeast. Other grape varieties grown in the region include Poulsard (also known as Ploussard), Trousseau, and Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir is often suggested as a pairing for Gruyère cheese, and the Jura red wine blend incorporates this variety. Burgundy Pinot Noir, with its red fruit notes and earthy undertones, is an excellent choice for bringing out the best in both the wine and the cheese. The light body of Pinot Noir also prevents it from overwhelming the cheese, creating a balanced match.
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Dry German Riesling
When it comes to wine and cheese, there are endless options for consumers, with a wide range of flavour profiles covered for both. The best wine and cheese pairings occur when the wine can complement or contrast the characteristics of the cheese.
Gruyère cheese has a distinct flavour profile. It is nutty and creamy, with a rich, fatty texture. A dry German Riesling is an excellent choice to pair with Gruyère cheese. This is because Riesling has high acidity and crisp, tart flavours that offer a refreshing contrast to the cheese. The wine's acidity cuts through the rich, creamy texture of the cheese.
Germany produces the widest range of Rieslings in the world, from light and crisp to honeyed dessert wines. All are classified by the ripeness of the grapes before harvest. Kabinett designates a wine of average ripeness, crisp, and dry, while Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese move from gentle sweetness to candied intensity. A special category, Eiswein (“ice wine”), denotes wine made from grapes frozen on the vines. When pairing sweet Riesling with cheese, try to match weight and intensity. For example, Dr. Loosen 2014 Mosel Graacher Himmelreich is a good pairing for young Gruyère AOP.
Riesling is the least fussy of all wine varietals when it comes to cheese. Its acidity, sweetness, tropical fruits, and mineral backbone allow it to partner broadly. For example, the Chateau Grand Traverse Late Harvest Riesling is an exquisite after-dinner wine to match well with cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Wines with spicy, earthy, and nutty notes tend to pair well with gruyere cheese. Some examples include Burgundy Pinot Noir, Dry German Riesling, Alsace Pinot Gris, Italian Pecorino, and Gewürztraminer.
A mushroom mac and cheese dish with Chateau de Mountfaucon Baron Louis Lirac Rouge, a blend from the Lirac AOC in the Rhone region, pairs well with gruyere. Another option is to pair a spinach and pear salad with a sparkling wine or Gewurztraminer.
When selecting a wine to pair with gruyere cheese, look for wines that complement or contrast its nutty and creamy characteristics. The wine should also be able to stand up to the bold flavour of the cheese without being overwhelmed.
