Brie, Camembert: what wine goes with soft cheese?
73 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.
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.