The 3 best wines with cheesecake
1 Sauternes & dessert whites Sweet white
Honeyed apricot and bright acidity: a luxurious match.
Serve 45-50°F Half bottles from $20
2 Moscato Sweet, lightly sparkling white
Light, fizzy and peachy for fruit-topped cheesecake.
Serve 40-45°F From $10
3 Riesling Aromatic white, dry to sweet
Late-harvest Riesling for lemon or plain cheesecake.
Serve 45-50°F From $12
Best on a budget: Moscato d’Asti.
Also good
What to avoid
- Dry wines. Sweetness makes them taste sour.
It depends how you cook it
| If you’re having… | Pour |
|---|---|
| Chocolate cheesecake | Ruby Port. |
| Berry topping | Brachetto or Moscato. |
Sweet, rich and tangy
Cheesecake combines sugar, cream and tangy cream cheese, so the ideal wine is sweet (to match the dessert) with bright acidity (to cut the richness). Sauternes and late-harvest Riesling are perfect; fizzy Moscato d’Asti is a lighter, cheaper option.
Match toppings too: berry toppings love Brachetto or Moscato; chocolate cheesecake wants Ruby Port.
Frequently asked questions
What wine goes with cheesecake?
Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling; Moscato d’Asti for something lighter.
Can you serve Champagne with cheesecake?
Dry (Brut) Champagne tastes sour next to a sweet dessert. If you want bubbles, choose a sweeter style: Demi-Sec Champagne or Moscato d’Asti.
What about New York vs. Japanese cheesecake?
Dense New York cheesecake suits richer sweet wines like Sauternes; light, airy Japanese cheesecake is lovely with Moscato d’Asti.
Tried this pairing?
What readers poured
Tried Cheesecake? Tell us which bottle you opened and how it went. The first good one goes right here.
