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Our Food > Cheese > Pairings > Cheese & Wine

Find the perfect pairings

Cheese & Wine

No two flavors are as Californian as cheese and wine. So we’ve taken the confusion out of pairing them together with this helpful guide.

BLUE &
MALBEC

Bold flavors all the way. Distinctive and salty, Blue cheese pairs beautifully with a full-bodied, heavy Malbec.

BRIE STYLE &
CHAMPAGNE

This combo will get you feelin’ bubbly. Champagne paired with thick and creamy Brie style cheese creates the perfect flavor contrast.

CHEDDAR &
CHARDONNAY

Love all things buttery? This pairing is for you. The mellow butteriness in Cheddar is enlivened by buttery, oaky Chardonnay.

PASTA FILATA STYLE &
SAUVIGNON BLANC

The perfect appetizer. The full flavors of Mozzarella and Burrata are amplified by Sauvignon Blanc, making this pairing a total snack.

FARMHOUSE STYLE &
ROSÉ

Cheese with a farm-to-table feel and the perfect glass of wine. This cheese with delicate notes perfectly complements a light Rosé.

MEDITERRANEAN/
MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE &
PINOT NOIR

Seeking sweet and salty? Combine the berry and cinnamon flavors of Pinot Noir with the saltiness of hand-braided marinated string cheese.

WASHED RIND STYLE &
PINOT NOIR

Forward and bold. The fruit-forward Pinot Noir cuts through the butterfat of this bold Washed Rind style cheese.

DRY JACK &
CHIANTI

History in the tasting. Firm Dry Jack was created in WW1 to replace nutty Italian Parmesan. Round out your tasting journey with a full-bodied Italian Chianti.

HISPANIC STYLE &
ROSÉ

A star on its own, the creaminess of Oaxaca cheese when paired with a glass of crisp Rosé shines even brighter.

GOUDA &
PINOT NOIR

Craving smoky flavors? Smoked Gouda balanced with a spark of berry and cherry cola flavors in Pinot Noir is the combo for you.

RACLETTE STYLE &
RIESLING

This cheese was meant for melting. And the Riesling’s acidity overcomes the fat for a melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

ALPINE/SWISS STYLE &
CHARDONNAY

Do more fondue. Balance out the richness of Swiss style cheese fondue with the floral and fruitiness of Chardonnay for a perfect social pairing occasion.

Pairings

made simple

Cheese	Wine
Alpine/Swiss style Like Lionza or Holey Cow	White wines like Riesling, un-oaked Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris Red wines like Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Merlot
Blue Cheese	Dessert wines like Port and Sherry Sweet, white wines like Riesling, Moscato, Sauternes and sparkling Prosecco Red wines like Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon
BRIE STYLE	Crisp, white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay Off-dry Riesling Lighter red wines like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais Sparkling wines like Champagne
CHEDDAR Aged	Cabernet Sauvignon
Cheddar Mild	Oaky, barrel fermented Chardonnay
Colby	Full-bodied, white wines like Chardonnay Dry, sweet wines like Riesling Red wines like Pinot Noir
Dry jack	Red, Italian wines like Chianti and Barolo Full-bodied, red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, and Rioja White wines like barrel-aged Chardonnay Sparkling wines like Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne
Farmhouse style Like Toma or Carmody	Light Rosé, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Gouda All	White wines like Riesling
Gouda Young, creamy	Sparkling wines with notes of apple White wines like Riesling Red wines like Beaujolais and Cabernet Sauvignon
Gouda Aged	Cabernet Sauvignon or French Bordeaux
Gouda Smoked	Pinot Noir
Hispanic style Oaxaca	Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc Red wines like Tempranillo and Rioja
Hispanic style Panela	Dry Riesling Lighter, red wines like Pinot Noir
ITALIAN STYLE Like Estero Gold	Sparkling wines like Off-dry Prosecco or Moscato d’Asti Crisp, white wines like Riesling, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc Red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon
MEDITERRANEAN STYLE Like Halloumi-style Grilling Cheese or Hand-braided String Cheese MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE Like Paneer or Nabulsi	White wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Spanish Albariño, and Riesling Sparkling wines like Rosé Red wines like Pinot Noir, Lambrusco, and Cabernet Franc
MONTEREY JACK	Red wine like Merlot and Pinot Noir Crisp, white wines like Pinot Gris and Riesling
PASTA FILATA STYLE Like Mozzarella or Burrata	Crisp, white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Spanish Albariño, Riesling Sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco Red wines like Pinot Noir and Lambrusco
RACLETTE STYLE Like Wagon Wheel or San Geronimo	Dry, white wines like Riesling Crisp, white wines like Pinot Gris, Spanish Albariño, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer Red wines like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
SOFT FRESH Like Ricotta or Fromage Blanc	Dry, white wines like Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chablis Sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco Red wine like Pinot Noir or Lambrusco Dessert wines like Sherry
WASHED RIND STYLE Like Red Hawk, Nicasio Square, or Golden Gate	Fruity, sweet white wines like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, and Sauternes Fruity, red wines like Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Nebbiolo