10 Best Wine and Cheese Pairings for Beginners

Discover easy, foolproof wine and cheese pairings that impress guests without needing to be a sommelier.

Pairing wine and cheese doesn’t have to be complicated. While sommeliers can talk for hours about tannins and terroir, the truth is a few simple rules will get you 90% of the way there. Here are 10 pairings that work every time.

1. Brie + Champagne or Sparkling Wine

The bubbles cut through the creaminess of the brie, refreshing your palate with every sip.

2. Aged Cheddar + Cabernet Sauvignon

Bold, tannic red wines stand up beautifully to the sharpness of aged cheddar.

3. Goat Cheese + Sauvignon Blanc

The bright acidity of Sauvignon Blanc matches the tangy, earthy flavor of goat cheese perfectly.

4. Blue Cheese + Port

The sweetness of port wine balances the salty intensity of blue cheese — a classic combination.

5. Gouda + Merlot

Merlot’s soft fruitiness pairs well with the nutty, caramel notes in aged gouda.

6. Parmesan + Chianti

This classic Italian pairing works because Chianti’s acidity cuts through Parmesan’s richness.

7. Camembert + Pinot Noir

Light and earthy, Pinot Noir won’t overpower the delicate, buttery flavor of Camembert.

8. Manchego + Rioja

Spanish icons that were basically made for each other — nutty cheese meets a smooth, fruity red.

9. Fresh Mozzarella + Pinot Grigio

A light, crisp white wine that lets the mild, milky flavor of fresh mozzarella shine.

10. Gruyère + Riesling

The slight sweetness of Riesling balances the nutty, slightly salty flavor of Gruyère.

Quick Rule of Thumb

If you forget everything else, remember this: soft cheeses pair well with light, bubbly, or acidic wines, while hard, aged cheeses pair well with bolder reds. From there, it’s just about experimenting and finding what you enjoy.