Whether you’re a cheese fanatic or a chocolate lover, the right wine can make all the difference to a fondue night. Each style of fondue calls for a different bottle, from crisp Alpine whites to sweet reds. Here’s what to pour with every one, from cheese and meat to chocolate, plus which wine to cook your cheese fondue with.
What is the best wine for fondue?
The best wine depends on what’s in your pot. Here are our top picks:
- Cheese fondue: a crisp, dry white like a Swiss Chasselas, an Apremont from Savoie or a dry Riesling
- Meat fondue: a fruity red like Pinot Noir, or a fuller Syrah for beef
- Seafood fondue: a fresh white like Sauvignon Blanc, or a dry sparkling wine
- Vegetarian fondue: a light red like Gamay, or a dry rosé
- Chocolate fondue: a sweet red like Ruby Port or Banyuls
What wine goes with cheese fondue?
Cheese fondue is a classic winter dish consisting of, to put it simply, dipping bread into a pot of gooey cheese. It’s rich and indulgent, so it needs a wine with plenty of acidity to cut through the cheese and refresh your palate between bites.
A good rule to never go wrong is to choose a wine from the same region as the cheeses.
Swiss fondue
The classic Swiss fondue, often called moitié-moitié (“half and half”), is made with Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois. The perfect match is a Chasselas, Switzerland’s main white grape. It’s light, dry and gently fruity, and you’ll find it under the name Fendant in the Valais, or from the Lavaux vineyards by Lake Geneva.
Fondue savoyarde
The French fondue savoyarde uses cheeses from Savoie, like Beaufort, Abondance and Emmental. Pair it with a local white: a fresh, light Apremont, a rounder Roussette de Savoie or a richer Chignin-Bergeron.
Easy-to-find alternatives
Alpine wines can be tricky to find outside Switzerland and France. If you can’t get hold of one, choose a crisp dry white with a bit of body, like a dry Riesling, a Chablis or a Muscadet. Avoid oaky or very aromatic whites, which can clash with the cheese.
Can you drink red wine with cheese fondue?
White wine is the traditional choice, but a light red works too, as long as it has low tannins and fresh acidity. Try a Gamay from Beaujolais, a young Pinot Noir from Burgundy or a peppery Mondeuse from Savoie. Serve it lightly chilled, around 12–14°C, to keep it fresh against the rich cheese. Avoid big, tannic reds, which taste bitter next to melted cheese.
What wine do you put in cheese fondue?
Most cheese fondue recipes include a glass or two of dry white wine. Its acidity helps the cheese melt smoothly and stops it from turning stringy or lumpy, while adding flavour.
Choose a dry, high-acid white, ideally the same wine you’ll serve at the table: a Chasselas, an Apremont or a Sauvignon Blanc all work well. Avoid sweet or oaky wines, and don’t use a wine you wouldn’t drink. Many Swiss recipes also add a dash of kirsch, a cherry brandy, at the end.
What wine goes with meat fondue?
Fondue bourguignonne
For a meat fondue, or fondue bourguignonne, cubes of meat, usually beef, are cooked in a pot of hot oil and served with sauces. It needs a robust red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, whose tannins and full body can stand up to the rich meat. If you have a variety of meats, Pinot Noir is a fantastic option for its versatility.
Fondue chinoise
In a fondue chinoise, thin slices of meat are cooked in a hot, flavourful broth instead of oil. It’s lighter and more delicate, so choose a lighter wine too: a Pinot Noir, a Gamay or even a dry white like Chasselas.
What wine goes with seafood fondue?
If you’re taking the fondue experience to the sea with a seafood version, opt for a crisp and refreshing white wine. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio are excellent choices, as their acidity cuts through the richness of the seafood. A dry sparkling wine, like a Champagne or a Crémant, adds a touch of elegance to the occasion.
What wine goes with vegetarian fondue?
A veggie fondue deserves a wine that brings out the flavours of fresh vegetables. A light-bodied red like Gamay or a vibrant Pinot Noir complements them without overpowering them. Alternatively, a dry rosé offers a versatile and refreshing option.
What wine goes with chocolate fondue?
For a chocolate fondue, you’ll want a wine that’s at least as sweet as the chocolate, otherwise it will taste bitter and sour. The best match depends on the chocolate you use:
- Dark chocolate: a Ruby Port or a Banyuls, with rich red fruit flavours
- Milk chocolate: a Tawny Port, with its caramel and nutty notes
- White chocolate: a lightly sparkling Moscato d’Asti or a late harvest Riesling
Find more ideas in our guide to wine with chocolate.
FAQ
Should you drink water with cheese fondue?
According to Swiss tradition, you should drink white wine or warm tea with cheese fondue rather than cold water, which is said to make the cheese harder to digest. There’s little evidence to back it up, but it’s a fun tradition to follow.
Is red or white wine better with cheese fondue?
White wine is the classic choice, as its acidity cuts through the rich cheese. A light, fruity red like Gamay or Pinot Noir also works, but avoid tannic reds.
What else can you drink with fondue?
Warm black tea is a traditional alternative to wine in Switzerland. Some also enjoy a small glass of kirsch halfway through the meal, a custom known as the “coup du milieu”.
What wine goes with raclette?
Raclette pairs with the same wines as cheese fondue: crisp, dry whites from Savoie or Switzerland, or a light red. Find more ideas in our guide to wine with winter cheese dishes.
