Brie, Camembert: what wine goes with soft cheese?
346 wines to serve with Brie, Camembert and soft cheesesWith a soft cheese, go for a light, fruity Pinot Noir or a fresh, round white such as a Chardonnay or a Chenin Blanc. Washed-rind cheeses, which are more powerful, prefer an aromatic Riesling.
Brie, Camembert, Coulommiers and Chaource offer a creamy texture that calls for freshness. Munster, Époisses or Maroilles call for more character. Our selection draws on Burgundy, South Africa, Argentina and Italy to go with every rind. To put together a complete cheeseboard, read our wine and cheese feature.
Montecrocetta - Argione Appasimento 2015
An Amarone type wine made from 2 emblematic Bordeaux grape varieties
Primus - Carménère 2022
A complex and harmonious Carménère with notes of spices and very ripe fruit.
Bodegas Cenicero Viticola - Finca Cienvacas 2024
A drinkable vintage to enjoy with friends!
Magpie Estate - The Last Stand Chardonnay 2023
A lively and lively Chardonnay from South Australia!
Descendientes de J. Palacios - Petalos 2021
A vintage full of energy and vitality, round and juicy at the same time, which makes it a reference in Spain.
Dog Point - Pinot noir 2021
Concentration, silky texture, complex aromas: a high-flying Pinot Noir!
Niepoort - DÃO Red 2019
A fresh wine with a beautiful complexity based on spices and black fruits.
False Bay - Crystalline Chardonnay 2022
A vintage full of life made Biodynamically!
Château Sainte Michelle - Dry Riesling 2020
A Riesling with intense flavors from Washington State
Acústic Celler - Braó 2019
Complexity, richness and elegance in this magnificent Catalan vintage.
Moric Project Villa Tolnay - Hidden Treasures n°3 2020
A high-end partnership between a Hungarian estate and a talented Austrian winemaker.
Diemersfontein - Shiraz 2023
A fusion of cherries, spices and violet
Alheit Vineyards - Hemelrand Vine Garden 2023
An extraordinary white wine, made using the most natural extraction of the fruit.
David & Nadia - Red From Mountain Soils 2019
A duo between Cinsault and Grenache with a spicy and juicy profile
Valenciso - Tinto Reserva 2014
A dense, deep and complex Rioja crafted with elegance
Winzer von Erbach - Erbacher Michelmark Riesling Spätlese 2015
A dry and distinguished Riesling from the Rheingau, made from grapes picked at a late harvest
Alamos - Bonarda 2020
The expression of the Bonarda grape variety which demonstrates all its potential
Poeira - Po de Poeira 2019
A surprising Douro red wine combining finesse and elegance.
NZ WINERIES & Samantha Bailey - Cloud Factory Pinot Noir 2020
A fresh and delicious Pinot Noir, grown near the coastal areas of New Zealand
Barone di Villagrande - Etna Rosso 2020
An organic red wine from the volcanic soils of Etna, of rare elegance!
Nik Weis - Urban Riesling 2019
A pure and crisp Riesling from the Moselle Valley
Pittacum - Petit Pittacum 2020
A seductive and juicy expression of the Mencía grape
Domaine des Tourelles - Blanc 2021
Incredible freshness, a creamy juice with rich floral and exotic scents.
Brie, Munster, goat's cheese: which wine for each soft cheese?
The rind dictates the pairing: bloomy rinds love delicate wines; washed rinds call for fragrant, generous whites.
| Cheese | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Brie Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun | Light Pinot Noir, fresh Chardonnay | Red fruit and acidity lighten the cream and highlight the mushroom notes. |
| Camembert Camembert de Normandie, Coulommiers | Chenin Blanc, supple Pinot Noir | The liveliness of Chenin and its apple notes recall the Normandy terroir. |
| Triple cream Chaource, Brillat-Savarin, Délice de Bourgogne | Sparkling rosé, lively Chardonnay | Bubbles and tension cleanse the palate after a very rich cheese. |
| Munster Munster, Géromé | German Riesling, Argentinian Torrontés | The aromatic intensity of the white stands up to the washed rind. |
| Strong washed-rind cheeses Époisses, Langres, Maroilles, Livarot | Burgundy Chardonnay, off-dry Riesling | A rich, generous white balances the power and salt of the rind. |
| Mont d'Or Mont d'Or, Vacherin served hot or cold | Full-bodied Chardonnay, Viognier | The resinous notes of this spruce-banded cheese go well with round whites. |
| Saint-Marcellin Saint-Marcellin, Saint-Félicien | Pinot Noir, fruity Grenache | This mild, gentle cheese from Lyon loves generous, supple reds. |
| Fresh or aged goat's cheese Crottin, Sainte-Maure, Valençay | Sauvignon Blanc | The lemony liveliness of Sauvignon answers the acidity of goat's milk. |
With a very runny Brie or Camembert, go for a white or bubbles: a well-ripened creamy paste sometimes accentuates the tannins of a red.
Pinot Noir, a friend to bloomy rinds
Our take: for Brie and Camembert, Pinot Noir remains the most fitting red. Its light frame, cherry fruit and forest floor notes extend the mushroom aroma of the rind. Burgundy's plays on delicacy, while those from South Africa or Chile bring sunnier fruit.
For whites, South African Chenin Blanc deserves your attention: its liveliness and quince notes balance the creaminess of a ripe Camembert. For washed rinds, turn to German Riesling, whose tension and fragrance answer Munster brilliantly. Want to surprise? The Nebbiolo d'Alba Spumante Brut Rosé from 460 Casina Bric brings fine bubbles and crunchy fruit to a Brillat-Savarin.
Three pairings to dare
Saint-Marcellin and Chilean Pinot Noir. Bright fruit for the creamy softness of this Lyon cheese.
Munster and German Riesling. The freshness of the wine lightens the power of the washed rind.
Camembert and Chenin Blanc. Notes of apple and quince that recall the orchards of Normandy.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and soft cheeses
What wine goes with Camembert?
With Camembert, serve a lively Chenin Blanc or a light Pinot Noir. Chenin, with its notes of apple and quince, refreshes the creamy paste. Pinot Noir brings delicate red fruit that goes with the bloomy rind. For a very ripe Camembert, white offers the most harmonious pairing.
What red wine goes with Brie?
Pinot Noir is the ideal red with Brie. Its fine tannins and cherry fruit pair with the smooth texture and mushroom aromas. A fruity Grenache also works. Choose light reds, served slightly chilled, to preserve the elegance of the cheese.
White or red wine with soft cheese?
White wine offers the safest pairing with most soft cheeses. Its freshness balances the cream and salt. Red works very well with bloomy rinds as long as it stays light, like a Pinot Noir. Washed rinds, which are more powerful, find their best partner in an aromatic white such as Riesling.
What wine goes with Munster or Époisses?
For a Munster or an Époisses, choose an aromatic, generous white: Riesling, Torrontés or Burgundy Chardonnay. These washed-rind cheeses have a pronounced smell and a powerful paste. A fragrant white with a touch of roundness goes the distance and reveals the mildness hidden beneath the rind.
At what temperature should wine be served with Brie?
Serve a Pinot Noir at around 14 to 15 °C and a white at around 10 °C with Brie. A slightly chilled red shows off its fruit and goes better with the cream. Take the cheese out an hour in advance: at the right temperature, a soft cheese becomes runny and releases its hazelnut and mushroom aromas.
What wine goes with baked Mont d'Or?
With a hot Mont d'Or, serve a full-bodied, fresh white, such as a Chardonnay or a Viognier. The melted cheese, scented by its spruce box, loves round wines with buttery and floral notes. Served with potatoes and charcuterie, it also takes a light Pinot Noir.