Most broadly, goat cheese is simply any cheese that is made with goat milk, as opposed to cheese made from milk from other animals (like cows or sheep). Goat cheese is sometimes thought of as only the soft, popular, and spreadable cheese known as chevre (which means “goat” in French). However, there is a wide variety of goat cheeses available, ranging from soft to hard, tangy and sweet, and everywhere in between.
The layers of flavor that give goat cheese its complex and sometimes funky character can make pairing it with wine a challenge. With some careful attention, it is possible to find a wine that results in a harmonious pairing with goat cheese, one that will show off the flavors of the cheese and the wine.
If in doubt, a safe bet is to choose a wine and goat cheese combination from the same region. This natural pairing provides similar taste profiles and showcases the regional variety of both the goat cheese and the wine at the same time.
A light and crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, often pairs well with goat cheese due to their acidity and complementary flavors. Apart from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, you might also consider trying a dry Riesling or a Chenin Blanc.
Most broadly, goat cheese is simply any cheese that is made with goat milk, as opposed to cheese made from milk from other animals (like cows or sheep). Goat cheese is sometimes thought of as only the soft, popular, and spreadable cheese known as chevre (which means “goat” in French). However, there is a wide variety of goat cheeses available, ranging from soft to hard, tangy and sweet, and everywhere in between.
Store and/or access information on a device. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content.
The layers of flavor that give goat cheese its complex and sometimes funky character can make pairing it with wine a challenge. With some careful attention, it is possible to find a wine that results in a harmonious pairing with goat cheese, one that will show off the flavors of the cheese and the wine.
If in doubt, a safe bet is to choose a wine and goat cheese combination from the same region. This natural pairing provides similar taste profiles and showcases the regional variety of both the goat cheese and the wine at the same time.
Don’t overthink goat cheese wine pairings! Just remember the following: What grows together, goes together. Goat cheese is the pride of the Loire Valley of France. So, try pairing it with wines from the Loire Valley. Sauvignon Blanc if you like whites. Cabernet Franc if you like reds. Here’s why.
One classic white. One classic red. Plus, a few others for those looking to go beyond simple chèvre for goat cheese wine pairing.
So, you’ve tried the chèvre log. You love it and it will always a place in your heart (and in your fridge). But you’ve been there and done that. You know goat brie, gouda, and cheddar is where it’s at. You’re a full-blown Humboldt Fog enthusiast. (Respect.) Heck, maybe you just want a break from the Sancerre-chèvre connection. (Also respect.) Here are some more options:
Why Cabernet Franc? Since you simply insist on red wine with your goat cheese, Cabernet Franc is a great choice. The Loire Valley produces lighter styles with more herbaceous notes and tart acidity. Bigger, fruitier wines may sound nice with this gamy cut of curd, but in practice, it overwhelms the soft, impressionable nature of goat cheese.
Why Sauvignon Blanc? Because your average piece of goat cheese is a blank slate, ready to be impressed upon. (A tart, earthy blank slate, but a blank slate nonetheless!) Sauvignon Blanc wines are the perfect chisels. Acidic, mineral-driven, and citrusy as hell, they impart all that goodness into the cream, giving it the extra herbal flavors you didn’t know it needed to have. Plus, it preps the palate for the next bite, which is a given, because who does a “one and done” with this combination? Seriously.
Goat Cheese and Wine Pairing – Cheese Rules
FAQ
What wine goes with chevre cheese?
What goes with chevre cheese?
Is goat cheese good with white or red wine?
What is Chevre cheese?
What is chevre? Goat cheese is cheese made from goat’s milk, both fresh and aged. Chèvre is another word for goat cheese (it translates to “goat” in French). The term chevre is often associated with the fresh variety of the cheese, but it can be used to describe any type.
What wine tastes like Sauvignon blanc?
Wines that taste like Sauvignon Blanc so other citrussy whites such as Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Godello and other crisp whites such as Albarino, Alvarinho, Chablis, Picpoul de Pinet, Pinot Grigio and other unoaked Italian whites, dry Riesling, Gruner Veltliner . . . (See what I mean about it being versatile?)
What wine goes with Gjetost?
It’s a bit like a Fino Sherry, but unlike Sherry it isn’t fortified. I think it’s a stellar combo with Gjetost- the dry, nutty wine is delicious with the sweet, rich cheese. It may be easier to find the cheese than the wine. A well distributed brand of Gjetost is “Ski Queen”, but the wines from the Jura are more obscure. It’s worth the hunt!
What wine goes with a Sancerre?
(The classic pairing is a Sancerre and a Crottin de Chavignol.) Wines that taste like Sauvignon Blanc so other citrussy whites such as Bacchus, Côtes de Gascogne, Rueda, Godello and other crisp whites such as Albarino, Alvarinho, Chablis, Picpoul de Pinet, Pinot Grigio and other unoaked Italian whites, dry Riesling, Gruner Veltliner . . .