What is the best way to pair French cheese and wine?

French cheese and wine are a timeless combination, found in bistros and fine dining restaurants alike. But finding the right wine to pair with your French cheese can be a challenge. The art of a good pairing lies in the balance between texture, acidity and flavour intensity. In this guide, you will discover how to put together a perfect cheese board with matching wines.

1. The golden rules of wine and cheese pairing

Before we dive into specific cheeses and wines, there are a few basic principles that will help you perfect any wine and cheese pairing.

• Balance is key → A strong cheese requires a strong wine, while a mild cheese goes better with a lighter wine.
• Acidity and Fat → White wines with fresh acidity cut through the fat of creamy cheeses.
• Hard vs. Soft Cheeses → Firm cheeses like Comté pair well with more mature red wines, while soft cheeses like Brie are best paired with a crisp white wine.
• Sweet wine, salty cheese → Blue cheeses, such as Roquefort, go perfectly with a sweet dessert wine.

Also read : The best French delicacies and how to serve them

2. Which wine goes with which French cheese?

Below you will find a comprehensive pairing guide per French cheese family .

Soft, creamy cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Reblochon)

🔥 Soft, creamy and buttery – calls for a fresh, not too heavy wine.

These cheeses are among the most beloved French cheeses in the world, and I mean a real favorite. They have a white mold rind, which is edible and contributes to their characteristic flavor and texture.

• Known as the Queen of Cheese , Brie has a soft, buttery flavor with a light mushroomy note;
• Camembert is similar, but often more intense and spicier, especially the longer it matures;
• Reblochon comes from the French Alps and is slightly creamier and fuller in flavour, perfect for hot dishes such as Tartiflette .

Did you know : These cheeses are traditionally not cut into cubes, but into wedges, so that the ripening process from the inside out remains intact.

Best wine pairings:

• Champagne – The bubbles cut through the creamy fat of the Brie.
• Chardonnay (not aged in wood) – Fresh acids balance the creaminess of the Camembert.
• Pinot Noir (slightly chilled) – Subtle fruitiness without being overpowering.

Internal link: Also read: How to taste olive oil like a professional?

Why does Champagne go so well with Brie and Camembert?

View the answer

The bubbles and acidity of Champagne cut through the fat of Brie and Camembert, leaving the flavours fresher and more balanced.

Which white wine goes well with Camembert?

View the answer

An un-wood-aged Chardonnay or a Chenin Blanc goes well with Camembert because of the fresh acidity and mineral notes.

Hard, matured cheeses (Comté, Gruyère, Beaufort)

🔥 Nutty, salty and with deep umami notes – perfect with mature white and soft red wines.

Hard cheeses have a longer maturation period. This allows them to develop an intense, complex flavour with a firm texture:

• Comté is one of the oldest cheeses in France and is aged for at least 12 to 24 months. It has a nutty, umami-rich flavour;
• Gruyère originates from Switzerland, but has become fully naturalized in France. This hard cheese is slightly sweeter and creamier than Comté;
• Beaufort is made in the Savoie region and is known for its creamy, almost buttery texture.

Did you know : Comté is traditionally aged in mountain cellars, where it is washed daily with salt water to develop its intense flavour.

Best wine pairings:

• Ripe Chardonnay (Burgundy) – Creamy and full, enhances rich cheeses.
• Viognier – Aromatic and floral, works well with Comté.
• Pinot Noir (Burgundy) – Light and fruity, perfect with semi-hard cheeses.

Why do Comté and Burgundy wines pair so well?

View the answer

Comté has nutty, umami-rich notes that pair perfectly with the full, creamy structure of Burgundy wines such as an aged Chardonnay.

Which red wine goes well with Gruyère?

View the answer

A light Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais pairs well with Gruyère because of the fruity notes and soft tannins that complement the salty cheese.

Blue cheeses (Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne, Fourme d'Ambert)

🔥 Salty, powerful and intense – a combination with a sweet, rich wine is a must here

Blue cheeses have a characteristic blue-green veining, which is created by the use of the mold Penicillium Roqueforti. These cheeses have a salty, spicy and sometimes slightly sweet taste.

• Roquefort is the oldest and most famous blue cheese from France. This French cheese is made exclusively from raw sheep's milk and matures in limestone caves;
• Bleu d'Auvergne is milder and creamier than Roquefort, with a slightly more buttery texture;
• Fourme d'Ambert is one of the mildest blue cheeses and has subtle earthy and nutty notes.

Did you know : Roquefort has a Protected Designation of Origin (AOP) and can only be produced in the caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.

Best wine pairings:

• Sauternes – Sweet and concentrated, contrasting with the saltiness of Roquefort.
• Port – Fruity and powerful, perfect with blue cheeses.
• Gewürztraminer – Aromatic and slightly spicy, enhances the spicy notes.

Why does Sauternes go so well with Roquefort?

View the answer

The sweetness of Sauternes balances the saltiness and powerful umami notes of Roquefort, creating a perfect harmony.

Which wine goes with blue cheese if I don't want a sweet wine?

View the answer

A strong Syrah or a ripe Amarone also works well with blue cheese, as these wines have enough fruit and structure to balance the salt.

Goat cheeses (Crottin de Chavignol, Valençay, Sainte-Maure de Touraine)

🔥 Fresh, slightly acidic and sometimes earthy – calls for a mineral white wine.

Goat cheese is one of the most versatile types of cheese and ranges from soft and fresh to firm and spicy:

• Crottin de Chavignol is a small goat's cheese, which is eaten both young (creamy and fresh) and matured (firm and nutty);
• Valençay is a pyramid-shaped cheese with a layer of ash, which gives it a subtly smoky flavour;
• Sainte-Maure de Touraine has a characteristic reed straw in the center, which helps with maturation.

Did you know : Crottin de Chavignol is traditionally eaten with a glass of Sancerre, the classic French goat's cheese and wine combination.

Best wine pairings:

• Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) – Fresh acidity and minerality are a perfect match for goat cheese.
• Pouilly-Fumé – Citrus and smoky notes enhance the subtle flavour.
• Chenin Blanc (Loire) – Slightly sweet and round, contrasts nicely with the fresh cheese.

Internal link: Also read: How do you combine chocolate and wine for the ultimate taste experience?

White mold cheeses (Neufchâtel, Chaource, Brillat-Savarin)

🔥 Creamy, soft and with a subtle mold crust – ideal with light, fresh wines.

These cheeses are related to Brie and Camembert, but often have an even creamier, buttery texture.

• Neufchâtel is the romantic cheese of France and has the shape of a heart;
• Chaource is often eaten young and has a velvety, melting texture;
• Brillat-Savarin is a triple-crème cheese, which makes it extra creamy.

Did you know : Brillat-Savarin contains at least 75% fat, making it one of the richest cheeses in the world.

Best wine pairings:

• Crémant de Bourgogne – A sparkling wine similar to Champagne, but softer and more approachable.
• Chenin Blanc – Fresh and slightly sweet, works well with the creaminess of Chaource.
• Riesling (dry) – High acidity cuts through the rich texture.

Which wine goes best with Chaource?

View the answer

A dry Chenin Blanc or a sparkling wine such as Crémant de Bourgogne pairs perfectly with Chaource, as the acidity balances the creaminess of the cheese.

Why does Riesling pair so well with Brillat-Savarin?

View the answer

Riesling has high acidity and light fruity notes, which helps to refresh the creamy, oily texture of Brillat-Savarin.

Washed rind cheeses (Munster, Époisses, Maroilles, Livarot)

🔥 Spicy, powerful and intensely fragrant – calls for a distinctive wine.

Washed rind cheeses are perhaps the most distinctive of French cheeses. The characteristic orange to reddish-brown rind is created by regularly washing the cheese with salt water, beer, cider or Marc de Bourgogne (a French brandy). This gives the rind cheese a strong aroma and deep, complex flavour:

• Munster comes from Alsace and has a velvety texture with a spicy, herbal taste;
• Often called the “king of strong cheeses”, Époisses has an intense, creamy core with a pronounced flavour;
• Maroilles from Northern France is known for its deep umami notes and is often eaten with rye bread;
• Livarot , also called Le Colonel (because of the five raffia bands around the rind), is spicy and spicy with a salty undertone.

Fun fact : Époisses was one of Napoleon's favorite cheeses, but it is so strong-smelling that it is banned from French trains!

Best wine pairings:

• Gewürztraminer (Alsace) – Aromatic and spicy, perfect with Munster.
• Pinot Gris – Soft fruitiness contrasts nicely with the strong aroma of Époisses.
• Beaujolais Cru (Morgon, Fleurie) – Slightly chilled, softens the spicy flavour.

Why is Gewürztraminer such a good fit for Munster?

View the answer

Munster has a strong, spicy taste and a soft texture. The spicy and slightly sweet notes of Gewürztraminer provide a perfect balance.

Which red wine goes well with Époisses?

View the answer

A light, fruity Beaujolais Cru such as Fleurie or Morgon works well with Époisses. These wines have soft tannins that do not clash with the creamy texture.

Semi-soft cheeses (Saint-Nectaire, Tomme de Savoie, Reblochon)

🔥 Firmer than Brie, but not as harsh as Comté – calls for wines with structure, but no heavy tannins.

Semi-soft cheeses are an intermediate class, as they are located between creamy cheeses and hard cheeses. They have a slightly elastic structure, a subtle nutty flavour and a natural rind that is sometimes covered with ash or flour.

• Saint-Nectaire from Auvergne is made from cow's milk. It has a mild, nutty flavour with a slightly earthy note;
• Tomme de Savoie is one of the oldest French cheeses and is often made from skimmed milk, making it lighter and lower in fat than many other cheeses;
• Reblochon is traditionally used in Tartiflette and has a creamy, buttery texture with subtle walnut notes.

Did you know : The name Reblochon comes from the French word "reblocher" , which means "to milk again". The farmers in the Alps milked their cows a second time to make this cheese!

Best wine pairings:

• Chardonnay (Burgundy, lightly wood-aged) – Creamy notes match the subtle nuttiness of Saint-Nectaire.
• Gamay (Beaujolais-Villages) – Fruity and light, prevents the cheese from becoming too heavy.
• Jura Savagnin – Nutty and oxidative, matches perfectly with Tomme de Savoie.

Which wine goes best with Saint-Nectaire?

View the answer

A lightly wood-aged Bourgogne Chardonnay perfectly balances the creamy and nutty notes of Saint-Nectaire.

What is the best wine for Tomme de Savoie?

View the answer

A Jura Savagnin works well because of its oxidative, nutty notes that complement the slightly mature taste of Tomme de Savoie.

3. How do you put together the perfect cheese board?

A well-composed French cheese board has different textures and flavors . Here are the three essential elements :

• 1x Soft cheese → For example Brie or Camembert.
• 1x Hard cheese → Comté or Gruyère.
• 1x Blue cheese → Roquefort or Bleu d'Auvergne.

Extra tips:

• Add fresh fruit (grapes, figs), nuts and honey for an extra dimension.
• Use a wooden plank or marble tray for a luxurious look.
• Serve the cheeses at room temperature for optimal flavour development.

Internal link: Also read: How to build a high-end tapas board?

Which wine goes best with a mixed French cheese platter?

View the answer

A versatile option is a dry white wine like Sancerre or a slightly chilled Pinot Noir. For a sweet touch, a Sauternes pairs perfectly with blue cheeses.

Why do red wine and cheese not always go well together?

View the answer

Red wine with lots of tannins can clash with the proteins and fats in cheese, creating a bitter or astringent flavor. Lighter red wines or white wines often work better.

Want to know more about the perfect drinks & food combinations? Discover all blogs around this topic here .

Create your ultimate French cheese & wine experience

A good cheeseboard and wine pairing is all about balance, textures and flavours that enhance each other. Whether you choose a classic Brie with Champagne or a spicy Roquefort with Sauternes, the right combination will elevate the experience.

Want to discover the perfect wine with French cheese yourself? Check out our luxury range! 🔗 Check out our exclusive French cheeses here →