Wine Pairings with Soft cheeses

Soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, Taleggio and Stracchino, have a creamy texture and a flavour that is delicate or intensely aromatic depending on how long they have been aged. The right wine pairing has to bring out their creaminess without overpowering them. Let us look at the best wines to pair with soft cheeses.

Characteristics of Soft Cheeses and General Pairings

The choice of wine depends on several factors:

• Structure and intensity: more delicate cheeses call for fresh wines, while tastier ones go with structured wines.
• Richness and creaminess: bubbles and wines with good acidity help to balance the sensation of richness.
• Bloomy or washed rind: bloomy-rind cheeses (Brie, Camembert) go well with mineral white wines, while washed-rind ones (Taleggio) call for softer, more enveloping wines.

Best Wine and Food Pairings for Soft Cheeses

Recommended White Wines

• Burgundy Chardonnay – Perfect for Brie and Camembert, thanks to its softness and minerality.
• Fiano di Avellino DOCG – Excellent with Taleggio, for its structure and freshness.
• Gewürztraminer Alto Adige DOC – Ideal for washed-rind cheeses with more intense flavours.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

• Champagne Brut – Perfect for balancing the creaminess of Brie and Camembert.
• Franciacorta Satèn – Excellent with Taleggio and tastier soft cheeses.

Recommended Rosé Wines

• Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for tastier cheeses such as Taleggio.
• Provence Rosé – Ideal for a delicate pairing with Brie and Stracchino.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

Avoid very tannic red wines (e.g. Barolo, Amarone) because they clash with the creaminess of soft cheeses. Watch out for overly acidic wines with very creamy cheeses, as they can create an imbalance of flavours. Avoid wines that are too light if the cheese has a pronounced flavour, as they would be overwhelmed.

Specific Pairings for Some Famous Cheeses

Brie and Camembert → Burgundy Chardonnay, Champagne Brut Taleggio → Fiano di Avellino, Franciacorta Satèn Stracchino → Provence Rosé, Gewürztraminer 🧀 Robiola → Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Chardonnay