The Ultimate Winter Guide to Wine & Cheese Pairing 2025
Discover exciting new cheeses, clever wine pairings, and easy tips to build the ultimate winter cheeseboard that will wow your guests.
Every winter, Christmas and festive period, the same cheeses end up on the board: Brie, Cheddar, Stilton. Reliable? Yes. Exciting? Not really. If you want to turn your festive cheeseboard into the kind of spread that makes people stop mid–glass of fizz and say, “Wait, what’s this one?”, you’re in the right place.
This is your ultimate guide to wine and cheese pairing. We’ll explore deliciously different cheeses, clever pairings that make wine sing, and how to build a cheeseboard that looks like it came straight off a Pinterest party table (without hours of faff).
Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, planning a festive drinks night, or just want to step up your cheese game this year, this guide will help you:
Discover new cheeses that’ll wow your guests
Find the perfect wine pairings for every style
Learn how to build, shop, and serve a board like a pro
So grab a cracker (the cheesy kind, not the party popper), pour a glass, and let’s make this winter the tastiest one yet.
📚 Contents
Jump straight to the section you need
Cheese 101: A Quick Refresher
Before we dive into pairings, it’s worth remembering that cheese has as much character and sense of place as wine. The type of milk, the region it’s made in, and traditional production methods all shape its flavour — that’s why Manchego tastes savoury and nutty, while Délice de Bourgogne is pure creamy indulgence.
Understanding the basics (like milk types, textures, and PDO regions) makes pairing much more intuitive and fun. Once you start spotting these clues, finding the perfect wine becomes second nature.
👉 Want to go deeper? Read the full Cheese 101 guide for a geeky but friendly deep dive into terroir, milk, and textures.
🍷 Wine & Cheese Pairing Basics
Pairing wine and cheese doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, a few simple principles can turn even the most last-minute board into something that tastes genuinely impressive. Think of these as your festive cheat codes:
✨ Balance is Everything
Good pairings work like good conversations — each side brings something to the table, and neither dominates. Rich, creamy cheeses need wines with freshness to cut through the fat (hello, sparkling wine), while punchy blue cheeses love a hit of sweetness to tame the salt. Big reds work best with firmer, nuttier cheeses that can handle their structure.
🧂 Match Intensity
Light, delicate cheeses can get bulldozed by powerful wines, and vice versa. Pair gentle cheeses like fresh goat’s with crisp, aromatic whites; save your bold Cabernets and oaky Chardonnays for hard, aged styles like Comté or mature Cheddar.
🫧 Acidity is Your Secret Weapon
Sparkling wines and zippy whites are incredibly forgiving — they slice through richness, refresh the palate, and flatter a wide range of cheeses. If you’re ever unsure, bubbles are the universal peacekeeper on a cheeseboard.
🍯 Sweet Meets Salty
Blue cheeses and dessert wines are a classic for a reason: salty + sweet = magic. A wedge of Roquefort with Sauternes or Stilton with Tawny Port is pure Christmas alchemy.
🧀 Beyond Brie and Cheddar
Brie, Cheddar, Stilton — classics, yes, but they’ve had centre stage long enough. If you really want your cheeseboard to stand out this year, it’s time to shake things up. These non-typical but easy-to-find cheeses bring character, elegance, and that “what’s this one?” moment to the table.
Pair them with the right wines, and you’ll have guests hovering by the board all night.
🧈 Brie & Camembert Alternatives
Swap the standard soft rind for these ultra-creamy show-stoppers. They’re familiar enough not to scare anyone off but decadent enough to make people take notice.
✨ Délice de Bourgogne
Triple cream from Burgundy that’s basically butter in cheese form.
Pair with: Champagne or Crémant de Bourgogne — bubbles cut the richness like a dream.
Find it: M&S, Waitrose, good cheesemongers.
🍾 Chaource
Soft, chalky-rinded cheese from Champagne country with a gentle tang as it ripens.
Pair with: Blanc de blancs Champagne, Chablis, or dry Chenin Blanc.
Find it: Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsburys. Neal’s Yard, indie shops.
💫
Brillat-Savarin
Pure indulgence — rich, silky, and spreadable.
Pair with: Off-dry Chenin Blanc, sparkling wine, or dessert wines for a luxe twist.
Find it: Specialist cheesemongers, sometimes M&S.
🧀 Cheddar Alternatives
Classic Cheddar is a crowd-pleaser, but swapping in a hard alpine or Spanish cheese instantly makes your board feel more curated.
🌿 Comté
Nutty, savoury, elegant — a subtle flex on the board.
Pair with: Champagne (yes, really), Vin Jaune, or white Burgundy.
Find it: Waitrose, M&S, specialist shops.
🇪🇸 Manchego
Firm sheep’s cheese with a delicate nuttiness and a touch of salt.
Pair with: Tempranillo, Amontillado sherry, or Cava for a festive Spanish pairing.
Find it: Most supermarkets, cheesemongers.
🇨🇭 Gruyère
Firm cow’s cheese with a deep, nutty richness and a subtle sweetness that comes from its Alpine aging.
Pair with: Chasselas, Chardonnay, or a Riesling
Find it: Most supermarkets, cheesemongers, especially near the fondue fixings.
🌀 Stilton Alternatives
Blue cheese is a Christmas classic, but there’s a whole world beyond Stilton. These French blues are elegant, complex, and pair beautifully with sweet wines.
🇮🇹 Gorgonzola
Italian blue cheese that’s creamy, aromatic, and a touch milder than Roquefort — ideal if you want complexity without the punch.
Pair with: Sauternes, Moscato, or Tawny Port for that sweet-salty magic.
Find it: Most supermarkets, cheesemongers.
🇫🇷
Roquefort
Sharp, salty, and intensely savoury — the elegant French answer to Stilton.
Pair with: Sauternes, Muscat, or Tawny Port.
Find it: Cheesemongers, some Waitrose branches.
🧭
🇫🇷 Morbier
Semi-soft French cheese with a thin dark line and gentle funk.
Pair with: Jura whites, Alsace Pinot Gris, or light reds like Poulsard.
Find it: Waitrose, cheesemongers.
🍇 Classic Pairings, Upgraded
Some cheese and wine pairings are classics for a reason — they just work. But with a few small tweaks, you can take them from “nice” to “oh wow.” These simple swaps and smart matches give familiar favourites a festive glow-up without losing their comforting charm.
🧈 Brie + Sparkling Wine → Level It Up
The classic: Brie with Champagne or Crémant — the bubbles cut through the creamy texture beautifully.
The upgrade: Swap Brie for Délice de Bourgogne or Chaource and pair with a blanc de blancs Champagne for extra elegance OR for the ultimate flex match with English Sparkling wine. The acidity and fine bubbles make the cheese taste even richer and silkier.
🧀 Cheddar + Red → Add Some Nuance
The classic: Cheddar with a big red — a bold, satisfying combo.
The upgrade: Try a Comté or aged Manchego with a structured but refined red like Rioja Reserva, or Nebbiolo from Piedmont, or an elegant Pinot Noir or Cabernet Franc. The nuttiness of these cheeses plays beautifully with oak and tannin, making the pairing feel more sophisticated and balanced.
🌀 Stilton + Port → Go Sweeter & Brighter
The classic: Stilton and Tawny Port — sweet meets salty, and everyone’s happy.
The upgrade: Switch to Roquefort or Gorgonzola and pair with Sauternes, Tokaji Aszu or sweet Muscat. The lighter texture of these wines and blues creates a more delicate, aromatic pairing that feels less heavy but still utterly indulgent.
🧄 Goat’s Cheese + Sauvignon Blanc → Dial Up the Texture
The classic: Fresh chèvre with zippy Sauvignon Blanc — a regional match made in heaven.
The upgrade: Swap the log for Tomme de Chèvre — a semi-aged Loire Valley goat’s cheese with gentle nuttiness and depth. Pair it with Chenin blanc from South Africa, Vouvray, or even a textured Rhône white. The extra complexity in both the cheese and wine takes this pairing from simple to seriously elegant.
🧀✨ How to Build a Showstopper Cheeseboard
A brilliant cheeseboard isn’t about piling everything you can find onto a slab of wood — it’s about balance, variety, and a little festive flair.
With a bit of planning, you can create a board that looks stunning, tastes incredible, and makes everyone think you’re that friend who has it all together.
🪄 Mix Up Textures & Styles
Aim for a mix of cheese types so there’s something for everyone:
Soft & creamy – like Délice de Bourgogne or Brie for indulgence.
Semi-hard or aged – Comté, Manchego, Tomme for savoury depth.
Blue – Gorgonzola or Roquefort for contrast and drama.
Something unexpected – a funky washed rind or an unusual regional pick.
Think of it like a good wine flight — contrast keeps it exciting.
🍇 Add Supporting Cast Members
Great cheeses shine even brighter with the right extras:
Crackers & bread: Mix neutral crackers for delicate pairings with something rustic or seeded for texture.
Fruit: Grapes, figs, blueberries, raspberries, dried apricots or fresh pear slices add sweetness, freshness, and colour.
Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts give crunch and earthiness.
Pickles & nibbles: Cornichons and good quality olives bring a bright, savoury kick that cuts through rich cheeses.
Something sweet: A good chutney, quince paste, honey, or even a few squares of dark chocolate work beautifully with strong cheeses and dessert wines.
Don’t overdo it — a few well-chosen accompaniments look chic and intentional.
🧭 Think About Layout
I like to start with my largest cheeses spaced evenly, then build around them. Slice wedges or rounds partway to make it easy for guests (and avoid the classic brie massacre). Fill gaps with fruit, nuts, or crackers for that abundant, Instagram-ready look.
👉 Top tip: Room temperature = peak flavour. Take soft cheeses out of the fridge an hour before serving.
✨ A few sprigs of fresh rosemary tucked in at the end make the board look vibrant, festive, and beautifully styled.
🛒 Portion Planning
Rough guide:
Post-dinner board: 70–100 g cheese per person.
Main event board: 150–200 g per person.
More variety = smaller portions of each cheese so nothing goes to waste.
🧀 Small Board Hack
If you’re creating a smaller cheeseboard for two, M&S does brilliant mini cheeses in individual packets (often 4 for 3). You can get a proper selection without committing to a whole wedge of each — perfect for experimenting and festive date nights.
✨ Style With Personality
This is where you can have fun. Add little handwritten labels or cocktail stick flags so people know what they’re eating. Scatter herbs, seasonal fruit, or festive touches to make it feel special. A beautiful board or marble slab elevates the whole look with zero extra effort.
🛍️ Shopping & Storage Tips
A little bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to Christmas cheeseboards. Buy smart, store well, and your cheese will taste its best when the big day arrives (and you’ll avoid the dreaded Boxing Day fridge funk).
🧀 When to Buy
Soft cheeses (like Brie, Délice, or Chaource): Pick them up around 5–7 days before you plan to serve. This gives them time to ripen without turning into puddles.
Hard or aged cheeses (like Comté or Manchego): These are happy hanging out for a couple of weeks if wrapped properly, so you can buy early to avoid last-minute scrambles.
Blues (like Gorgonzola or Roquefort): A week ahead is perfect — any longer and the flavours can intensify a little too much.
✨ Top tip: If you’re shopping early, ask your cheesemonger for pieces that are still slightly under-ripe — they’ll hit their peak right on time.
🧊 How to Store Cheese
Wrap like a pro: Ditch the clingfilm. Instead, wrap cheese loosely in waxed or greaseproof paper, then pop it in a reusable container or beeswax wrap. This lets it breathe without drying out.
Fridge zone matters: Store cheese in the vegetable drawer or a lower shelf — these tend to have the most stable temperatures.
Keep strong cheeses separate: Blues and washed rinds love to share their aromas… with everything. Store them in their own containers to avoid accidental flavour crossovers.
👉 A little bit of airflow + stable cool = happy cheese.
🕰️ Before Serving
Cheese tastes best at room temperature — this is non-negotiable. Take your cheese out of the fridge:
Soft & bloomy cheeses: ~1 hour before serving.
Hard cheeses: ~30–45 minutes before.
Blues: ~30 minutes is perfect.
Cover with a clean tea towel while they warm up to keep things fresh and festive-looking.
🧀 Leftovers Strategy
If you end up with extra cheese (which let’s be honest, you probably will):
Hard cheeses can be wrapped and stored for weeks, or grated into sauces and soups.
Soft cheeses can be baked into tarts or whipped into dips.
Blues are brilliant in creamy pasta sauces, risotto, or melted onto toast with a drizzle of honey.
✨ A clever fridge clear-out in January can feel like a luxury spread if you plan it right.
📝 Quick Pairing Guide
If your mind goes blank the second you stand in front of the cheese counter, this is your festive lifesaver. Use this simple grid to match classic cheese styles with wines that actually make them shine — no memorising required.
| 🧀 Cheese Style | 🍷 Wine Pairing Ideas |
|---|---|
| Soft & Creamy (Brie, Délice, Chaource) | Blanc de blancs Champagne · English sparkling · Franciacorta · Rich Chardonnay |
| Semi-Hard / Alpine (Comté, Tomme, Manchego) | Vin Jaune · Aged Rioja · Loire Cabernet Franc · Nebbiolo · Oaked Chardonnay |
| Hard & Aged (Cheddar, Gruyère, Pecorino) | Bordeaux blends · Rioja Gran Reserva · Jura whites · Structured Rhône whites |
| Goat’s & Semi-Aged (Chèvre, Tomme de Chèvre) | Old-vine Sancerre · Dry Vouvray · Textured Rhône whites · Light Pinot Noir |
| Blue (Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton) | Sauternes · Sweet Jurançon · Moscato d’Asti · Recioto della Valpolicella · Tawny Port |
| Washed Rind / Funky (Epoisses, Taleggio) | Off-dry Riesling · Gewürztraminer · Savagnin · Sparkling rosé |
✨ Pro tips:
Sparkling wine is your get-out-of-jail-free card - it works with almost everything.
Match intensity with intensity - big flavours need structured wines, delicate cheeses need lighter styles.
Sweet + salty = Christmas magic - especially with blues and dessert wines.
Don’t be afraid to experiment - half the fun is discovering an unexpectedly brilliant combo.
🎁 Wrap-Up & Extras
The beauty of wine and cheese at Christmas is that it doesn’t need to be complicated to be magical. A few thoughtful cheese swaps, smart pairings, and a well-styled board can turn a simple spread into the highlight of the season. Whether you’re hosting a full-on feast, a cosy drinks night, or just want to upgrade your festive snacking, you now have everything you need to build a cheeseboard that tastes as good as it looks.
This guide is designed to spark inspiration — but the fun really starts when you make it your own. Play with new cheeses, try different wines, and don’t be afraid to surprise your guests (or yourself).
👉 For more wine tips, gift ideas, and exclusive pairing content, sign up to my newsletter — you’ll get early access to new guides, and some extra delicious surprises straight to your inbox.
✨ And if you’re feeling inspired, I’ve got SO much more coming out soon!
The Festive Wine Gift Guide — unique wine lover presents they’ll actually love.
The Ultimate Wine & Cheese Pairing Quiz — find your festive cheese soulmate.
My Christmas Hosting Tips — stress-free entertaining made stylish.
Here’s to a cheeseboard that wows, a wine list that sings, and a season full of flavour.
