When the cold weather hits, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as cosying up with rich, cheesy comfort food. Raclette, tartiflette, fondue, truffade and Mont d’Or are classic winter dishes from the mountains, each featuring copious amounts of delicious cheese. Here’s how to pair them with wine to make the most of it, plus a few favourites from further afield.
What wine goes with winter cheese dishes?
Rich, melted cheese needs a wine with fresh acidity to cut through it. Here are our top picks:
- Raclette: a crisp Savoie white like Jacquère, or a Swiss Fendant
- Tartiflette: a rich Alsace Pinot Gris
- Cheese fondue: a Swiss Chasselas or a dry Riesling
- Truffade and aligot: a light, fruity Beaujolais
- Baked Mont d’Or: a Jura Chardonnay or Savagnin
- Baked Camembert: a Chenin Blanc or a light Pinot Noir
What wine goes with raclette?
Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish that is enjoyed during the winter months and made by heating some raclette cheese and scraping the melted cheese onto potatoes, cornichons and cured meats – what more do you need on a cold night?
White wines
For a perfect match, try a crisp white wine from Savoie like Jacquère or Apremont. These wines have a nice minerality, offsetting the richness of the cheese. Raclette originally comes from the Valais in Switzerland, so a local Fendant, made from the Chasselas grape, is another classic choice.
White wines from the Jura – Chardonnay or Savagnin, are also fantastic, offering a mix of texture, salinity, and nutty depth that pairs beautifully with raclette. A full-bodied Chardonnay or a Viognier from other regions are also excellent choices.
Red wines
If red is more your thing, go for a light-bodied red wine such as a Gamay or a Pinot Noir. Their fruitiness and freshness won’t overwhelm the cheese. Serve them slightly chilled, at around 12–14°C, to keep them fresh: our wine serving temperature guide explains why.
What wine goes with tartiflette?
The best wine for tartiflette is a rich, aromatic white like an Alsace Pinot Gris. Tartiflette is a hearty and comforting dish from the French Alps, made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons, and onions.
A full-bodied white wine like Pinot Gris from Alsace is an excellent match for tartiflette. Its rich, slightly oily texture and ripe fruit flavours pair perfectly with the creamy cheese and smoky bacon.
Other options could be along the same lines as for the fondue or the raclette with wines like Savoie or Swiss wines, a Gewürztraminer from Alsace, a dry German Riesling or a Gamay from Beaujolais if you want a red.
The same wines work with croziflette, a Savoie twist on tartiflette made with small, square buckwheat pasta called crozets.
What wine goes with cheese fondue?
Cheese fondue is a quintessential winter dish, literally made of melted cheese, white wine and eaten with bread.
The best pairings for it are typically the same wines used in its preparation. Swiss white wines like Fendant (Chasselas) or a dry Riesling are spot on. These wines have high acidity that cuts through the rich, creamy cheese, keeping things balanced and lively.
For more inspiration with cheese fondue or other types of fondue, check out our fondue pairing guide.
What wine goes with truffade?
This rustic dish from the Auvergne is all about simplicity: sliced potatoes cooked with lard and fresh Tome cheese from Cantal.
To keep the balance, pair truffade with a light red wine like Beaujolais. Its fresh acidity and red fruit flavours play nicely with the earthy potatoes and gooey cheese, without overpowering the dish.
Aligot
Aligot, from the Aubrac plateau, is the truffade’s cheesy cousin: mashed potatoes beaten with fresh Tome cheese, butter and garlic until smooth and stretchy. It’s traditionally served with sausages, so a juicy Beaujolais or a Côtes du Rhône is the perfect match.
What wine goes with baked Mont d’Or?
Few things say winter like a baked Mont d’Or – a dish from the Jura region, featuring a whole cheese baked with a splash of Jura white wine until molten.
The pairing then comes naturally, with the same wine used for cooking – a Jura white wine such as Chardonnay or Savagnin. Their subtle nuttiness, slight oxidative edge, and refreshing acidity make them a perfect match with the creamy, melted cheese.
What wine goes with baked Camembert?
A baked Camembert, with garlic and rosemary, is a simple winter treat for sharing. Its creamy, earthy flavours love a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley or an unoaked Chardonnay. If you prefer red, a light Pinot Noir works well, and a glass of dry Normandy cider is the local choice. The same pairings work for a baked Brie.
For more ideas with cheese, see our guide to wine and cheese pairing.
What wine goes with Welsh rarebit?
Welsh rarebit is a British classic: toast topped with a rich sauce of melted Cheddar, mustard and often a splash of stout. Its savoury, tangy flavours suit a fruity Merlot or a Beaujolais, while a crisp, dry white like a Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the cheese.
What wine goes with Käsespätzle?
Käsespätzle are soft egg noodles layered with melted cheese and topped with crispy fried onions, a favourite in southern Germany and Austria. An Austrian Grüner Veltliner, with its peppery freshness, or a dry German Riesling are ideal.
Is red or white wine better with cheesy dishes?
White wine is usually the better choice, as its acidity cuts through melted cheese and refreshes your palate. If you prefer red, choose a light, fruity style with low tannins, like Gamay or Pinot Noir, as tannic reds can taste bitter with cheese. For more seasonal ideas, see our guide to autumn wine pairing.
FAQ
What’s the difference between raclette and fondue?
With fondue, you dip bread into a pot of melted cheese mixed with white wine. With raclette, you melt the cheese and scrape it over potatoes, cured meats and pickles.
Can you drink red wine with raclette?
Yes, as long as it’s light and fruity, like a Gamay, a Pinot Noir or a Mondeuse from Savoie. Avoid big, tannic reds, which clash with the melted cheese.
What else can you drink with raclette?
White wine is the classic choice, but warm black tea is a popular alternative in the Alps. To warm up before dinner, try our mulled wine recipe.
What’s a good budget wine for a cheese night?
An Alsace Pinot Blanc, a Muscadet or a Beaujolais are all great value. They have the fresh acidity that melted cheese needs.
