Riesling and Goat Cheese: A Match Made in Heaven

Dry or sweet, sparkling or still, wine from Alsace has my heart.  Though Gewurztraminer was the first Alsace wine to tickle my nose, I came to know and love Riesling on a recent trip to Alsace. There are many other varietals grown in Alsace,  but you simply cannot speak of this lovely wine region without mentioning Riesling–the two are synonymous.

Riesling pairs beautifully with many kinds of cheese, but Riesling and goat cheese are a match made in heaven.

Why Riesling?

Riesling can be dry, off-dry, and sweet. Likewise, goat cheese comes in many variations, from young and fresh to semi-hard with earthy flavors. It matters not which style of goat cheese you prefer–there is a Riesling pairing that will make your tastebuds sing.

For this article, I paired a 2016 Famille Hugel Classic Riesling with two different kinds of goat cheeses: a Brie de Chevre and Chevoo’s creamy goat cheese cubes marinated in dill pollen and garlic.

 

 

Famille Hugel Classic Riesling 2016

Hugel’s classic label wines are made from 50% estate-grown fruit and 50% grapes purchased from local vineyards. This is a budget-friendly wine at around 20 dollars a bottle, which packs a lot of flavor for the price point.

Insider note: I visited the Hugel winery in October 2018 and tasted every single style of Riesling they make. They were all incredibly good, but I think the 2016 Classic Riesling will please palates from novice to more experienced oenophiles. 

If you visit the winery in Riquewihr, you can take a walk in the vineyards on the hillside overlooking the village.

 

 

This wine scored 90-92 points with four top critics: James Suckling, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and Vinous. Impressive!

Tasting notes:  A light-body white wine that tastes more complex. On the palate I tasted ripe pear, green apple, and a hint of white flower, with a tart lemon finish and biting acidity. Very tangy.

Riesling is often misunderstood to be a sweet wine. While it can be sweet, in Alsace it is most often bone dry. Serve an Alsace Riesling to your guests, and you have a chance to be a wine superstar simply by introducing them to one of France’s lesser-known wine regions…and dry Riesling.

Wine and goat cheese pairing notes

Many people don’t like the earthy and tangy flavors of goat cheese. However, it is precisely those flavors that make it a perfect pairing with a dry white wine, like Riesling. Goat cheese is acidic–likewise–Riesling is acidic.

The creamy texture and slightly nutty taste of the Brie de Chevre paired beautifully with the Riesling. The savory, herbal flavors of the Chevoo brought out the tartness of the Riesling. However, the acidity of the wine was a winner with both kinds of cheese. I think an off-dry Riesling would be a better match for the Chevoo, but the Classic Riesling had enough fruit flavors on the palate to pull it off.

 

 

Other styles of cheese

Never fear, if you don’t like goat cheese, or just want to try something different, there are plenty of options, including:

Brie: A perennial crowd favorite, I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a cheese board without a cow’s milk brie. A creamy texture with buttery and nutty flavors, this spreadable cheese goes well with almost any cracker but is especially nice on warm French bread. I recommend that if you choose to serve both cow’s milk and goat milk brie, do not put them on the same board (and consider labeling the cheeses).

Muenster: Muenster is from the Alsace region, so it would be a nice selection to include with an Alsace Riesling. A soft cheese with a washed rind that is slightly pungent, Muenster is nutty, creamy, and delicious melted. It would pair well with an off-dry Riesling. Muenster is often substituted for Livarot.

Tomme de Savoie: This is a slightly earthy cheese from the French Alps. It has a smooth texture and is often served with cured meats and fruit.

Comte: With small, scattered holes called “eyes,” Comté has an intriguing, complex flavor that can include hints of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, hazelnuts, and toast. Enjoy Comté in cubes, on a sandwich, melted in fondue, or grated and sprinkled on your favorite dishes. Any way you like it, serve Comté with a dry Riesling.

If you’re searching for the perfect wine to pair with a variety of cheeses and please many palates, look no further than Riesling from Alsace. It’s my go-to for good reason.