FAB is landing at the Wine & Cheese Festival this 11 April 2026, and we have done the homework. We have been pairing our organic wines with everything from bright, tangy chèvre to rich, nutty aged cheeses to bring you combinations that hit.

Wine and cheese are a classic for a reason, but when it is done right, it is next level. Think balance, contrast, texture, and flavour that builds, not clashes.

This is your quick guide to getting it right, understanding the basics, decoding flavour profiles, and discovering pairings that work, every time.

Shop Wine & Cheese Collection ($20 Off on any 3 bottles)

Why Wine and Cheese Pair So Well

At its core, the relationship between wine and cheese is a matter of balance, contrast, and harmony:

• Acidity vs Fat: Crisp wines like a Verdelho or Sauvignon Blanc cut through creamy cheeses, cleansing the palate.
• Tannin vs Protein: Bold reds, rich in tannins, soften when paired with protein-rich cheeses such as Parmigiano or Manchego.
• Texture & Effervescence: Sparkling wines, like Champagne, provide bubbles that refresh the palate and contrast creamy or dense textures.
• Flavour Harmony & Contrast: Pairing can highlight similar flavours (e.g., nutty wine with nutty cheese) or create an exciting contrast (e.g., sweet wine with salty blue cheese).

Tip for tasting: Try the wine and cheese individually first, then together. Pay attention to how the flavours evolve. This is the essence of pairing.

Understanding Cheese Types

Cheeses come in a wide variety of textures and flavours, and knowing the basics helps you match them with wine:

• Fresh Cheeses: Soft, tangy, and high in moisture. Examples: Crottin, chèvre, ricotta.
• Soft-Ripened Cheeses: Creamy with bloomy rinds. Examples: Brie, Camembert, Reblochon.
• Washed-Rind Cheeses: Earthy and pungent with sticky rinds. Examples: Taleggio, Munster, Langres.
• Semi-Hard Cheeses: Nutty and firm. Examples: Manchego, Gruyère, Comté.
• Hard Cheeses: Aged, dense, and complex. Examples: Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged cheddar, Beaufort.
• Blue Cheeses: Salty, tangy, with veined mold. Examples: Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola.

Tip: Consider texture and flavour intensity when pairing, creamy cheeses work with crisp or sparkling wines, while strong, aged cheeses may need a bolder red or a sweet wine.

Understanding Wine Styles

Matching wine and cheese requires knowledge of wine styles and flavour profiles. Here’s a quick overview:

• Sparkling Wines: Champagne, Prosecco. Bubbles and acidity refresh the palate, perfect with creamy or rich cheeses.
• Crisp White Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Pinot Grigio. High acidity, citrus, green fruit. Pairs well with fresh or soft cheeses.
• Rich White Wines: Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Gris. Medium acidity, stone fruits, almond notes. Pairs well with soft-ripened and nutty cheeses.
• Light Reds: Pinot Noir, Gamay. Soft tannins, red fruit, subtle earthiness. Best with soft or washed-rind cheeses.
• Medium to Full Reds: Barolo, Rioja, Syrah. Higher tannins, structure, and bold flavours. Pairs with firm, aged, or nutty cheeses.
• Sweet Wines: Muscat, Sauternes. Sweetness balances salty or pungent cheeses, especially blue cheeses.

How to Taste Wine and Cheese Like a Pro

Understanding wine and cheese starts with tasting. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Visual Examination: Observe the wine’s colour and viscosity; note the cheese’s texture and rind.
2. Smell: Swirl your wine and inhale the aroma. Sniff the cheese too. Does it echo the wine, or offer a contrasting scent?
3. Taste Separately: Identify key flavours: fruity, nutty, creamy, earthy, tangy, or salty.
4. Taste Together: Take a bite of cheese, then sip wine. Note how flavours interact: does the wine soften? Does the cheese taste richer? Does the wine help wash down the cheese?
5. Take Notes: Even simple words like “bright,” “nutty,” “creamy” help refine your palate and remember successful combinations.

Pro tip: Keep a tasting journal to track your favourite pairings and preferences.

FABulous Wine and Cheese Pairings 

Pairing wine and cheese is an art, a science, and, most importantly, a delicious journey. By understanding wine styles, cheese types, and the principles of taste and texture, you can create harmonious and memorable pairings. From crisp whites with fresh goat cheeses to sweet Muscat with pungent blue cheeses, the possibilities are endless.

Here are some tried-and-true combinations with tasting notes and alternative options:

1. Krinklewood Verdelho (Hunter Valley, Australia)

• Style: Fresh, aromatic white with citrus, melon, and subtle tropical notes.
• Perfect Match: Crottin (Goat Cheese)
• Why It Works: The wine’s acidity and citrus notes cut through the tanginess of goat cheese, refreshing the palate.
• Other Cheese Options: Chèvre, fresh feta, Bucheron.

2. Champagne Jean Michel Carte Blanche Brut NV

• Style: Apple, plum, and subtle hay aromas, balanced with lively bubbles.
• Perfect Match: Brillat-Savarin (Triple Cream)
• Why It Works: Sparkling effervescence lifts the rich, buttery cheese, while acidity balances creaminess.
• Other Cheese Options: Camembert, triple-cream Brie, Epoisses.

3. Domaine Thomas Pinot Gris (Alsace, France)

• Style: Stone fruits, honey, almond with velvety texture.
• Perfect Match: Reblochon-style (Soft, washed-rind)
• Why It Works: Fruity and nutty notes complement the earthy, creamy cheese.
• Other Cheese Options: Munster, Taleggio, Saint-Nectaire.

4. Domaine de Villet Savagnin (Jura, France)

• Style: Dried apricot, herbs, subtle oxidative notes; textured and savory.
• Perfect Match: Comté (Hard Alpine Cheese)
• Why It Works: Nutty, complex flavours of the wine mirror the cheese, creating a layered tasting experience.
• Other Cheese Options: Gruyère, Beaufort, aged cheddar.

5. Handpicked Wines Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir (Australia)

• Style: Elegant red with red cherry, raspberry, subtle spice, and silky tannins.
• Perfect Match: Langres (Soft cow’s milk cheese)
• Why It Works: Silky tannins enhance the creamy, slightly pungent cheese without overpowering it.
• Other Cheese Options: Brie, Camembert, Epoisses.

6. Domaine la Ligiere Muscat (Beaumes de Venise, France)

• Style: Sweet, aromatic, tropical fruit with balanced acidity.
• Perfect Match: Roquefort (Blue Cheese)
• Why It Works: Sweetness offsets the saltiness and intensity of the blue cheese, creating a classic sweet-salty finish.
• Other Cheese Options: Gorgonzola, Stilton, Bleu d’Auvergne.

Beyond These Pairings: Experiment and Discover

The beauty of wine and cheese pairing is experimentation:

• Light to Rich: Start with lighter wines and milder cheeses, then move to more intense options.
• Regional Pairing: Wines and cheeses from the same region often harmonize naturally.
• Contrast Creatively: Sweet vs salty, creamy vs sparkling, or earthy vs fruity—don’t be afraid to try unusual pairings.
• Trust Your Palate: Guidelines are helpful, but personal taste is the ultimate judge.

Tip: Keep small tasting sets at home. Try different wines with the same cheese to explore unexpected synergies.