Frederic Melton
Wine and cheese are an iconic pairing, and one of the most well-known combinations is port and stilton. However, there are many other options to consider when pairing wine with blue cheese. The right choice depends on the type of blue cheese and the other ingredients in the dish. For example, a salty blue cheese pairs well with a sweet Riesling, while a burger or steak with blue cheese is best served with a hearty red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine | Port, Sauternes, Gavi di Gavi, Jurancon Sec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Negroamaro, Nero d'Avola, Zinfandel, Amontillado, Oloroso sherry, Madeira |
| Cheese | Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne, Barkham Blue, Stilton, Cabrales, Gorgonzola, Rogue River Blue, Oxford Blue |
| Other foods | Celery, Figs, Pears, Endives, Salads, Burgers, Steaks, Pizza, Pasta, Gnocchi |
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What You'll Learn
Port and stilton are a classic combination
Port is a sweet, red fortified wine, typically produced in the Douro Valley of Portugal. It is often enjoyed as a dessert wine, and its rich, sweet flavours can include notes of blackberry, caramel, and chocolate. The sweetness of port is a natural pairing for blue cheese, as the sugar in the wine balances the strong, salty, and sharp flavours of the cheese.
Stilton is a well-known English blue cheese, with a strong, sharp flavour and a distinctive smell. It has a creamy texture and a salty taste. The cheese is often crumbled or melted and used in recipes, such as a blue cheese sauce for pasta or gnocchi, or as a topping for pizza. Its strong flavour means that it is also delicious on its own, or with crackers and fruit, such as fresh or dried figs.
The classic combination of port and stilton is a perfect example of how a sweet wine can complement a salty, sharp blue cheese. The sweetness of the wine softens the sharpness of the cheese, and the saltiness of the cheese enhances the sweetness of the wine. This pairing works as an after-dinner treat, or as part of a cheeseboard or starter.
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Roquefort and Sauternes are a famous duo
While there are several wine and blue cheese pairings to consider, Roquefort and Sauternes stand out as a famous duo. Roquefort is a pungent blue cheese that can be challenging to pair with medium-bodied reds. However, its strong flavour can be beautifully complemented by a glass of Sauternes, a sweet, noble rot wine known for its unique flavour profile.
Sauternes, produced in the Sauternais region of France, is a dessert wine made from grapes affected by "noble rot" or Botrytis cinerea. This beneficial mould dehydrates the grapes, concentrating their sugars and contributing to the wine's distinctive flavour and aroma. The result is a sweet, luscious wine with notes of honey, apricot, and tropical fruit.
Roquefort, on the other hand, is a French blue cheese made from sheep's milk and ripened in the natural caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon. It has a distinctive pungent aroma and a creamy texture, with a flavour that is salty and spicy, yet slightly sweet.
When paired together, the sweetness of Sauternes beautifully offsets the salty, pungent flavours of Roquefort. The wine's honeyed notes and hint of bitterness from the noble rot create a delightful contrast with the cheese's sharp, spicy characteristics. This pairing showcases how a touch of sweetness in wines can balance the bitterness often found in the veining of blue cheeses.
Additionally, the creamy texture of Roquefort is elegantly complemented by the rich, smooth mouthfeel of Sauternes. The wine's acidity also helps to cleanse the palate, making each bite or sip a refreshing, sensory experience. This classic combination is a testament to the art of wine and food pairing, where the right match can enhance the enjoyment of both the wine and the cheese.
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Sweet wines complement blue cheese bitterness
When it comes to wine and blue cheese, a classic pairing is a sweet wine with a touch of bitterness—like port and stilton, or roquefort and Sauternes. The sweetness of the wine offsets the veining in blue cheese, which has a hint of bitterness.
Blue cheese has a wide flavour spectrum, and very few wines won't complement at least one type of blue cheese. Blue cheese can be both salty and strong, so a sweet or at least fruity wine works well. For example, a strong blue cheese needs a bigger wine partner, so a sweet wine is often a great match. Dessert wines are not very popular in America, so some sommeliers offer pairing alternatives, such as table wines. For cow's milk blues, a Chardonnay or some Cabernet-based wines will work, especially fruity ones. For sheep's milk cheeses, some Cabernet-based wines or Zinfandel work well.
However, keep in mind that blue cheese can also be enjoyed in savoury dishes, and in these cases, a drier white or red wine might be a better choice. For instance, a blue cheese and fresh fig salad pairs well with a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi, which would also work with pasta or gnocchi with a blue cheese sauce. If you're serving a burger or steak with blue cheese, a hearty red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec is a good choice.
When pairing cheese and wine, the goal is for neither the cheese nor the wine to dominate the other. Instead, aim for a balance where the flavours complement or contrast with each other. Consider the intensity, structure, and flavour of both the cheese and the wine when making your selection.
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Red wines pair well with blue cheese on savoury dishes
When it comes to savoury dishes featuring blue cheese, red wines can be an excellent choice to complement the strong and pungent flavours of this variety of cheese. While sweeter wines like port are often considered a classic pairing with blue cheese, drier reds can also work well, especially when the cheese is used in a savoury context.
For instance, if you're serving a burger or steak with blue cheese, a full-bodied red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec can stand up to the strong flavours of the cheese. These wines have the depth of flavour and structure to match the richness of the dish without being overpowered. Similarly, if you're enjoying a pizza topped with blue cheese, a medium-bodied red like a Negroamaro, Nero d'Avola, or Zinfandel can be a great choice. These wines have enough body and flavour to complement the cheese without being too heavy or overwhelming.
It's worth noting that the type of blue cheese can also play a role in the pairing. Pungent and sharp blue cheeses like Roquefort or Cabrales may not pair as well with medium-bodied reds, as the tannins in these wines can accentuate the bitterness of the cheese. Instead, opt for a sweeter wine like port or a medium-dry sherry. On the other hand, milder and creamier blue cheeses like Bleu d'Auvergne or Barkham Blue are more versatile and can pair nicely with a range of reds, from Southern Italian reds to fuller-bodied options.
When creating a savoury dish with blue cheese, consider the other ingredients and flavours present. For example, if you're making a blue cheese sauce for pasta or gnocchi, a dry red wine like an Italian Negroamaro could complement the creaminess of the sauce while standing up to the blue cheese's flavour. Alternatively, a blue cheese and fresh fig salad could be enhanced by a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi, which would also work well with milder blue cheeses in other dishes.
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Sparkling wines can be a good match for blue cheese
When it comes to wine and cheese, there are seven main types of cheese to consider, all made from animal milk. The diversity of styles and flavours from both wine and cheese makes them a highly expansive topic to study and enjoy. Many cheese experts praise sparkling wine above all else for pairing with cheese. This is because its effervescent bubbles pair beautifully with rich, creamy cheeses.
If you are looking for a more indulgent pairing, a double cream bloomy rind cheese with mushroomy, grassy, and woody notes pairs well with a yeasty and fruity sparkling wine like a classic Champagne. For a perfect balance, pair extra-creamy triple-cream cheeses with a dry wine like a Prosecco or a Cremant d'Alsace. The rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavour and the cheese crystals in these cheeses make for an excellent sparkling wine pairing, especially with traditional French Champagne and Spanish Cava.
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Frequently asked questions
Wines with a touch of sweetness work well with blue cheese. The bitterness of the veining in blue cheese can be offset by a dessert or fortified wine. A drier white or a red wine would be better if the blue cheese is in a savoury dish or combined with other ingredients.
Port and stilton, Sauternes and Roquefort, and a pure PX or well-aged tawny port are classic pairings.
A blue cheese and fresh fig salad pairs well with a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi. A blue cheese-topped pizza or a burger or steak with blue cheese goes well with a southern Italian red like a negroamaro or a zinfandel.
A blue cheese with an aromatic finish pairs well with a sweet Riesling. A French Sauvignon, such as Sancerre, Les Caillottes pairs well with a Blanche goats’ cheese.
