I have never been too big on drinking, but wine is different.
For me, the experience is about the taste, aroma, and the pairing with food. This is why I picked out my top 6 wines, with my top 6 cheese meals for you.
For these dishes, it is important to have good cheese, and slice it, or grate it, yourself. Also, make sure you prepare the meal and wine with time, as some of these need air while others can be served chilled.
You may want to get familiar with the how to chose the perfect red or white wines out there and which cheese they can be paired with.
Now, let’s get cooking and drinking!
#1. Fondue-Dry Riesling
This is my go-to cheese dish. Nothing better than a good traditional Swiss cheese fondue. This dish is made with a combination of cheese, usually, Emmentaler and Gruyere.
The key to making a good fondue is grating the cheese, not chopping it, as it melts better. While you should use a dry sauvignon blanc as the base, don’t make the mistake of pairing your fondue dinner with the same wine.
Try instead a dry riesling; it cuts through the powerful flavor of the Gruyere cheese. Don’t let others fool you, a white wine is a must with a Swiss fondue, make sure you have a dry one that doesn’t make the meal heavier.
For an affordable yet very tasty and elegant French Riesling, Social Vignerons recommends Dopff au Moulin Riesling, Alsace
#2. Raclette-Pinot Noir
While I tend to pick a white wine with my cheese meals, this choice surprised me.
Raclette is prepared using a specific grille that melts your raclette cheese. This dish is often enjoyed with potatoes, pickles, and sliced ham.
For this meal, a Pinot Noir wine is perfect, as it can be served chilled, and it has a sweeter side that goes well with your cheese. I prefer it because it brings the best of fruits, such as strawberries, while also having an earthy flavor that complements the cheese and meats on your raclette.
Why not try something different with an excellent New Zealand Pinot Noir recommended by Social Vignerons: Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir, Martinborough
#3. French Onion Soup-Beaujolais
Who doesn’t enjoy a hot soup during cold days?
French onion soup is perfect for winter and it satisfies you thanks to the bread and Gruyere cheese. The secret to this soup is in a good crusty bread, a nutty Gruyere, and fresh onions.
For this dish, I go with Beaujolais wine, made with Gamay grapes.
This red wine is adds a fruity flavor, which pairs perfectly with the onion’s sweetness, and it cuts through the cheese’s strong taste thanks to its acidic notes.
For a stunning example of solid Beaujolais, Social Vignerons would suggest a Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais
#4. Cheese Soufflé-Sauvignon Blanc
There is no better meal for an afternoon get together than a good fluffy cheese soufflé and a delicious white wine.
The classic cheese soufflé is made with Parmesan cheese, egg, and milk, which is why it needs a dry, but citrus wine that cuts through the heavy flavors.
The best sauvignon blanc wine for this kind of cheese dish would be one with a hint of sweetness, medium body, and a fruity flavor that helps dissipate the strong flavor of the dairy and Parmesan cheese.
We would recommend here a delicious French Sauvignon Blanc from an unknown appellation of the Loire Valley: Jean-Michel Sorbe Reuilly Sauvignon Blanc, Loire
#5. Grilled Cheese Sandwich-Malbec
Though you may not consider this dish an elaborate one, it is one of my first choices any time. There is nothing better than a good melty grilled cheese sandwich, made with slices of cheddar and swiss cheese, and of course, lots of butter.
If you’ve had a grilled cheese, then you know how good it can go with wine, especially a malbec. This wine is a bold one, and it is rich in flavor, breaking down the intense flavor from your sandwich. Malbec is a safe bet when eating cheese, red meat, bread and cured meats.
#6. Chicken Cordon Bleu-Chardonnay
This chicken is a classic, and the whole point of this dish is that it is meat filled with cheese and ham, and then rolled over, breaded, and deep fried.
For this meal, a white wine is a definite. I suggest a rich one, such as a Chardonnay, which is a great wine to pair with cheese and chicken.
The acidic but very light flavor of this wine makes it versatile and easy to drink; perfect for a delicious but heavy meal as the cordon bleu.
Ever tried an Italian Chardonnay? Social Vignerons suggests this lucious one Musso Langhe Chardonnay, Piedmont
Ready to buy some wine now? What cheese meal are you making? I also like goat cheese and think it goes wonderfully with wine, so you can try making a dish with this cheese.
Keep in mind these are only suggestions. I picked my favorite dishes and chose the best wine for them, but you can let me know if you have another recipe that includes your favorite cheese and which wine you’d pair it with!
This guest post was written by Chidinma exlusively for Social Vignerons.
About the Author – Bio: Chidinma is the founder of Fruitful Kitchen, a blog that shares delicious recipes and lifestyle tips. Most of her recipes help women with fertility issues, especially fibroids, PCOS, and Endometriosis. Sometimes, however, you will find other interesting recipes, as well as cooking tips and tricks there.
Find out more about pairing Wine & Cheese with these infographics about matching French and Italian cheeses and wines:
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