What wine for blue cheese? Does blue cheese go with red or white wine? What’s the best wine for blue cheese? These are questions I’ve asked myself many times given the powerful nature of this cheese (as well as my love of hosting wine-centered celebrations)! Let’s chat about the most ideal and accessible wine pairings for the blue on your board.
A Quick Blue Cheese Guide
Blue cheese is a complex cheese, both tangy and distinctive, and in a category all its own. It makes a beautiful, striking addition to a cheese plate or board and is often relied upon as an option to balance the other cheeses.
Now, for a bit of a blue cheese primer. Blue cheese has several outstanding flavor profiles including: tanginess/sharpness, pungency, saltiness, creaminess/butteriness, as well as earthy/nuttiness. Depending on the type of blue cheese, as well as its age, all of these flavors will vary and balance one another.
As you may be aware, in the making of blue cheese mold is introduced, resulting in the edible mold we know as a distinct marbling characteristic in our favorite blues.
A few types of blue cheese include: Roquefort (sheep’s milk from France), Gorgonzola (cow’s milk from Italy), Stilton (cow’s milk from England), Danablu (cow’s milk from Denmark), and Cabrales (goat, sheep, & cow’s milk from Spain).
And, with the right wine pairing, the power of the mold is truly a standout. With the wrong pairing, it can be really wrong. Ick.
Read on to discover the perfect wine pairings for your upcoming festivities, whether you’re welcoming everyone to your event, or bringing a cheese plate and a beautiful bottle of wine to your host!
White Wine for Blue Cheese
A white wine and blue cheese pairing can be a lovely experience, especially if you lean towards wine with a bit (or a lot) of sweetness. Consider staying in the off-dry to dessert wine spectrum to truly balance your blue cheese wine pairing.
Here are a few white wines to consider:
Sauternes
This sweet, French dessert wine is a classic pairing with blue cheese, especially Roquefort. The honeyed sweetness and rich, full-bodied nature of Sauternes contrast beautifully with the sharp, tangy flavors of the cheese.
Riesling
A slightly sweet or off-dry Riesling and blue cheese combination can be a delectable match. The wine’s sweetness and acidity help cut through the creamy, salty nature of blue cheese.
Gewürztraminer
This aromatic, spicy wine often has a touch of sweetness that pairs well with the intense flavors of blue cheese. Its fruity and floral notes can complement the cheese’s complexity.
Chenin Blanc
A medium to sweet Chenin Blanc, especially one from the Loire Valley, can work well. Its balanced acidity and honeyed flavors can enhance the cheese without overpowering it.
Viognier
The rich, floral, and fruity profile of a Viognier can pair nicely with the creamy texture of blue cheese. Consider a Viognier with some residual sugar for an even better match.
Chardonnay
A bold, buttery, oaky Chardonnay can offer a complimentary balance to a pungent blue. Pairing Chardonnay and blue cheese is certainly an option, to great relief for Chardonnay lovers.
When pairing white wine with blue cheese, it’s important to consider the specific type of blue cheese and its intensity. Lighter, creamier blue cheeses might pair well with slightly sweeter or less intense wines, while more pungent varieties might need a more robust wine.
Red Wine for Blue Cheese
When pairing red wine with blue cheese focus on choosing wines that are medium-to-fuller in body to find a balanced compliment:
Port
While technically a fortified wine, it’s worth mentioning again due to its exceptional pairing with blue cheese. Its sweetness and richness balance well with the intense flavors of the cheese.
Zinfandel
A fruit-forward Zinfandel with moderate tannins can work well with blue cheese. The wine’s bold fruit flavors and spice notes can complement the tangy and creamy elements of the cheese.
Shiraz/Syrah
A Syrah or Shiraz with rich, fruity flavors and a hint of spice can be a good match. The boldness of the wine often pairs well with the strong taste of blue cheese.
Malbec
Malbec, especially from Argentina, has a robust flavor profile with dark fruit notes and a touch of earthiness that can pair well with blue cheese, particularly those with a milder profile.
Cabernet Sauvignon
A Cabernet Sauvignon with softer tannins and a bit of fruitiness can also work. The wine’s structure and flavors can stand up to the intensity of blue cheese, though it’s best to choose one with less oak influence to avoid overpowering the cheese.
Garnacha (Grenache)
A Garnacha with its ripe berry flavors and softer tannins can be a pleasant pairing. Its fruity and slightly spicy character can complement the flavors of blue cheese without overwhelming them.
Just as you would when pairing white wine with blue cheese, it’s important to consider the cheese’s strength and intensity when pairing red wine with blue cheese. Milder blue cheeses may pair well with lighter reds, while stronger, more pungent varieties may require a more robust red to stand up to their flavors.
Rosé & Sparkling Wines for Blue Cheese
If your event calls for rosé or a sparkling wine, you’re in luck! Fortunately, both wines can pair beautifully with the blues:
Rosé
The bright acidity and fruity notes of a rosé can balance the strong, tangy flavors of blue cheese, especially if the rosé is on the drier side. A well-chilled rosé with a bit of fruitiness can complement the creamy texture and sharpness of the cheese without overwhelming it. Choose a higher acidity and berry-forward wine and see how you like this pairing.
Sparkling
The effervescence in sparkling wine provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy texture of blue cheese.
Sparkling wines typically have good acidity, which helps balance the creaminess of blue cheese. The acidity can cut through the cheese’s richness, making each bite more enjoyable. For stronger blue cheeses, go for a more robust sparkling wine (Champagne, Cava), while milder cheeses can pair with lighter, fruitier options (Prosseco, Crémant).
So, what wine pairs nicely with blue cheese? So many beautiful wines! What initially presents as a challenging pairing, now becomes ripe with opportunity, offering a delectable experience for party goers with any wine preference. Happy pairing!
More hosting inspiration which may interest you:
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