Frederic Melton
Roquefort is a famous French blue cheese with a powerful flavour and a distinctive odour. It is made predominantly from the milk of Lacaune sheep, treated with a special type of bluish-green mould called Penicillium roqueforti. Its salty, tangy taste makes it a challenging cheese to pair with wine. The classic wine pairing for Roquefort is Sauternes, a sweet wine from Bordeaux, but there are several other options to consider.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Classic pairing | Sauternes |
| Other pairings | Sweet wines from Bordeaux, Barsac, Saussignac, Loupiac, Monbazillac, Late harvest sauvignon blancs, Riesling, Ice-wines, Fortified wines, Tawny Port, Oloroso Sherry, Ruby Port, Whisky, Rosé, Barolo |
| Type of cheese | Blue cheese, Salty, Tangy, Moist, Pungent, Aromatic, Intense, Soft |
| Origin | France |
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What You'll Learn
Classic wine pairings: Sauternes, sweet wines, fortified wines, and ports
When it comes to classic wine pairings with Roquefort cheese, Sauternes is the undisputed king. This French sweet wine from Bordeaux is known for its rich, honeyed, fruity flavours of peaches and apricots, which beautifully complement the salty, tangy, sharp flavours of the cheese. The sweetness of Sauternes also helps to mellow the pungency of the cheese, creating a harmonious pairing.
If you're unable to get your hands on a bottle of Sauternes, fear not, as there are other sweet wines that can step in as worthy substitutes. Look to other sweet wines from Bordeaux and the surrounding regions, such as Barsac, Loupiac, Monbazillac, or Saussignac. These wines will have similar flavour profiles to Sauternes, ensuring they pair well with the salty, tangy notes of Roquefort.
Fortified wines are also a classic pairing with Roquefort. The saltiness of the cheese makes it a perfect match for sweet and fortified wines, and fortified wines tend to have a higher sugar content than their unfortified counterparts. Tawny Port, Ruby Port, and LBV Port are all excellent choices, with their rich, sweet flavours balancing the saltiness of the cheese.
For those who enjoy a glass of sherry, this is another classic pairing. Oloroso Sherry, in particular, is recommended for its dry style with nutty flavours and a mineral finish, which will contrast interestingly with the salty, tangy notes of the cheese. Pedro Jimenez sherry is another option, with its dense sweetness and aromas of dried fruits, creating a decadent match with Roquefort.
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Sweet wines from Bordeaux: Monbazillac, Barsac, and Loupiac
Roquefort is a famous French blue cheese with a powerful flavour. It is often paired with Sauternes wine, a sweet wine from Bordeaux. However, there are other sweet wines from Bordeaux that can also be considered. These include Monbazillac, Barsac, and Loupiac.
Monbazillac wines have a long history and were already well-known in the 13th century among the English. The Benedictine monks are said to have pioneered viticulture in the 11th century. The monks noticed that the rot in the grapes, now known as "noble rot", increased their flavour. The area's viticulture has remained unchanged ever since, with the best wines produced on the valley's northern slopes. The key grape varieties of the Monbazillac wine region are Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle, which respond well to noble rot, enhancing the wine's sweetness. Monbazillac wines are said to be comparable to Sauternes, though they often have a higher percentage of Muscadelle, resulting in distinct smells.
Barsac is another sweet wine from Bordeaux that is similar to Sauternes. In fact, Barsac can use the Sauternes appellation. The wines from this region are also made from grapes affected by botrytis, which concentrates the sugars in the juice.
Loupiac is another sweet wine from Bordeaux that is recommended to pair with Roquefort cheese.
When pairing wine with Roquefort cheese, it is important to consider the age of the cheese. A younger Roquefort cheese, which tends to have a slightly more creamy flavour, can be paired with a Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc with good fruit flavours and acidity. It can also be paired with an IPA to cut through the creaminess and richness. Older Roquefort cheeses are often paired with sweet wines like Sauternes, Monbazillac, Barsac, and Loupiac, as well as fortified wines like Tawny Port or Oloroso Sherry.
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Dry wines: Barolo, Sicilian Marsala, and red wines
While sweet wines are the classic pairing for Roquefort cheese, dry wines can also be a good match. Here are some dry wine options to consider:
Barolo
Barolo is a dry wine that pairs well with moist cheeses like Roquefort. The complex tones of Barolo help to dull the tanginess of the cheese without eliminating it entirely. If you find Roquefort a bit too strong, Barolo can help balance out the intensity.
Sicilian Marsala
A drier style of Sicilian Marsala, such as the Marsala Vergine Soleras Secco from Pellegrino, is an excellent match for Roquefort cheese. The nuttiness and concentration of this wine complement the softness of the cheese and highlight its clean mushroom flavour. The unique strain of fungi used in both the cheese and wine creates an interesting flavour combination.
Red Wines
When it comes to red wines, the saltiness of Roquefort can make them taste thin and mean. However, if you enjoy bold flavour combinations, you can try pairing it with a red wine that has a fair amount of sugar and acid to stand up to the pungent saltiness of the cheese. A red wine with good fruit flavours and acidity, such as a Rosé, can also complement a younger Roquefort with a slightly more creamy flavour.
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Whisky: peaty Islay whiskies, Scotch, and bourbon
When it comes to wine pairings, Sauternes is the classic choice to accompany Roquefort cheese, with its salty, sharp flavour. However, if you're looking to explore the world of whiskies that can complement this French blue cheese, there are some excellent options to consider:
Peaty Islay Whiskies
The robust and salty character of Roquefort cheese is beautifully complemented by the peaty, smoky notes of Islay whiskies. Lagavulin, for instance, offers a distinctive, terroir-driven experience with its 16-year-old Distillers Edition. This whisky presents notes of "tarry rope, iodine, seaweed, and peat," as described by experts. The peaty flavours come through strongly on the nose, while the palate surprises with a fruity twist. Another excellent choice is the Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which offers a cask-strength, undiluted option with a proof of around 112.
Scotch Whiskies
Scotch whiskies, particularly those aged in ex-bourbon barrels, can also pair well with Roquefort cheese. Bowmore, produced by Islay's oldest distillery, offers a well-balanced whisky with salty and sweet notes. Aged initially in bourbon barrels, it spends its final three years in oloroso casks, resulting in sherry-like layers. The GlenDronach 15 Revival Single Malt Whisky is another excellent choice, offering cherry cola aromas and a mid-palate sweetness that finishes with bittersweet, woody tannins.
Bourbon
Bourbon, a barrel-aged American whiskey, primarily made from corn (maize), can also be a delightful pairing with Roquefort cheese. While bourbon may be produced anywhere in the United States, it is particularly associated with the state of Kentucky. The practice of ageing whiskey in charred barrels for enhanced flavour has contributed to the distinct profiles of bourbons like the ones produced by the Stitzel-Weller Distillery and Brown-Forman, a current major producer. The versatility of bourbon allows it to stand up to the bold flavours of Roquefort cheese, making it a worthwhile pairing to explore.
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Beer: rich malty beers, nut brown ale, imperial stout, and porter
When it comes to pairing beer with Roquefort cheese, a rich and malty beer is a good choice. The salty, tangy, and complex flavours of the cheese are complemented by the nut and caramel notes found in beers like nut brown ale, imperial stout, and porter. The bitterness of an IPA can also work well with younger Roquefort cheeses, as the bitterness of the hops cuts through the creaminess and richness of the cheese.
Roquefort is a famous French blue cheese with a powerful and distinctive flavour. It is made predominantly from the milk of Lacaune sheep in the south of France, in the village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon. The cheese is treated with a special type of bluish-green mould called Penicillium roqueforti, which is traditionally extracted from loaves of bread left to mould in the caves of the Combalou mountains. The cheese is then matured in these caves, which have their own ventilation systems, creating the ideal conditions for ageing.
The unique flavour of Roquefort cheese makes it a standout choice for those who enjoy strong, complex flavours. Its saltiness and tanginess can be balanced by the sweetness and body of certain drinks, making it a versatile option for beverage pairings. While wine and whiskey are also popular choices for pairing with Roquefort, beer offers a range of flavour profiles that can enhance and complement the cheese's characteristics.
When selecting a beer to pair with Roquefort cheese, consider the age of the cheese. Older cheeses tend to have a more complex flavour profile, while younger cheeses may have a slightly creamier taste. The intensity of the beer should match the intensity of the cheese, ensuring that neither overpowers the other.
By choosing rich malty beers, such as nut brown ale, imperial stout, or porter, you can create a delightful sensory experience where the nut and caramel flavours of the beer harmonise with the salty and tangy notes of the cheese. For a slightly different option, an IPA can also be a refreshing choice, especially with younger Roquefort cheeses, as the bitterness of the hops provides a pleasing contrast to the creamy richness of the cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Wines that complement the rich and pungent flavour of Roquefort cheese include sweet wines such as Sauternes, sweet white Semillon-based wines from Bordeaux, and similar sweet wines from surrounding regions such as Barsac, Saussignac, Loupiac, or Monbazillac. Late harvest Sauvignon Blancs from elsewhere would also work.
The sweetness of the wine takes the edge off the cheese without destroying its flavour.
Yes, fortified wines like Port, especially Ruby Port, Tawny Port, and LBV Port, are also good pairings with Roquefort cheese. Other options include dry wines like Barolo, which work well with the moisture of the cheese, and dry Marsala from Sicily, which complements the softness of the cheese and highlights its mushroom flavour.
Yes, besides wine, Roquefort cheese can be paired with beer or whiskey. Younger Roquefort cheese with a slightly more creamy flavour can be paired with an IPA as the bitterness of the hops cuts through the creaminess of the cheese. Older Roquefort cheese can be paired with peaty whiskies like Islay whiskies, or a rich bourbon, as the caramel and charred wood flavours complement the complex tangy flavours of the cheese.
