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Cheese · Wine pairing

What wine goes with cheese board?

A mixed cheese board is easiest with versatile wines: Champagne, a fruity red like Beaujolais, and something sweet (Port or Sauternes) for blue cheese.

The rule: Match intensity: delicate cheese, delicate wine; pungent cheese, sweeter or bolder wine.

By Rate This Wine editors · Updated · How we rate

Cheese board

The 3 best wines with cheese board

  1. Champagne

    1 Champagne Dry sparkling wine

    Bubbles work with soft, hard and salty cheeses alike.

    Serve 43-48°F Non-vintage from $35; vintage $70+

  2. Gamay (Beaujolais)

    2 Gamay (Beaujolais) Light-bodied red

    Light, juicy reds suit a wide range of cheeses.

    Serve 54-58°F From $12; cru Beaujolais $18-$30

  3. Port

    3 Port Sweet fortified red

    The classic finish with blue cheese and aged Cheddar.

    Serve Ruby 60-64°F; Tawny 55-60°F Ruby from $15; 10-year Tawny $30

Best on a budget: Cava, a Beaujolais and a Ruby Port cover any board for about $45.

Also good

ChardonnayPinot NoirSauvignon BlancRieslingSauternes & dessert whites

What to avoid

  • Very tannic young reds. Tannin fights soft, creamy cheeses.

It depends how you cook it

If you’re having…Pour
Mostly goat cheesesSauvignon Blanc.
Mostly hard cheesesRioja or Nebbiolo.
Soft and bloomyChampagne or Chardonnay.

Frequently asked questions

What wine goes with a cheese board?

Sparkling wine is the most flexible, plus a light red and a sweet wine for blue cheese.

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More pairings

CheeseCharcuterie Gamay (Beaujolais) · Prosecco · Rosé CheeseBrie & soft cheese Champagne · Chardonnay · Pinot Noir CheeseGoat cheese Sauvignon Blanc · Grüner Veltliner · Cabernet Franc CheeseBlue cheese Port · Sauternes & dessert whites · Riesling CheeseAged Cheddar & Parmesan Cabernet Sauvignon · Nebbiolo (Barolo) · Tempranillo (Rioja)