WHAT WINE TO DRINK WITH A SAVOYARD FONDUE?

What Wine to Drink with Cheese Fondue?

Are you looking for the perfect wine to pair with your Savoyard fondue? Cheese fondue is a warm and convivial dish, perfect for cold winter evenings. This traditional dish from Savoie is beloved for its simplicity and indulgence. Combining melted cheese, bread, and sometimes other ingredients depending on regional variations, cheese fondue is a staple of festive and friendly meals. But which wine should you choose to accompany this blend of creamy and rich flavors? Let’s find out together.

Savoyard Fondue: A Winter Essential

Savoyard fondue, along with raclette, is one of the favorite dishes of the French during the winter season. Traditionally, the recipe combines cheeses like Beaufort, Comté, and Tomme de Savoie, melted in a caquelon and enhanced with a bit of white wine, garlic, and sometimes kirsch. This comforting dish is ideal for family gatherings or friendly get-togethers, offering an explosion of flavors and textures with every bite.

What Wine to Drink with Savoyard Fondue?

Choosing the right wine to accompany a Savoyard fondue is crucial. Given its rich and salty character, this dish needs a wine that can balance these strong flavors.

A dry and fruity white wine is the ideal companion for a Savoyard fondue. We recommend selecting a bottle of round white wine with a refreshing quality. This type of white wine offers a pleasant contrast to the rich texture of the fondue.

For a regional pairing, opt for a white wine from Savoie. The Jacquère or Altesse grape varieties, typical of the region, offer fresh and fruity notes that pair perfectly with the cheeses in the fondue.

A bottle of Vin Jaune from Jura, with its unique character and ability to complement Comté, is also an excellent choice. Another interesting option is an Alsace Pinot Gris, which combines freshness and fruitiness, making it a perfect match for your fondue.

Red wine is generally not recommended for pairing with homemade fondue. The tannins in red wines can be too aggressive, whereas a white wine provides the necessary balance for the dish. Ideally, choose a wine with pronounced acidity to balance the richness of the cheese.

The Best Wine Pairings for Cheese Fondue

Here’s a selection of the best wine pairings to accompany and enhance your Savoyard fondue recipe:

• Roussette de Savoie Domaine Justin: A white wine from Savoie that offers freshness and fruitiness, harmonizing with the richness of the fondue cheese.
• Chardonnay from Burgundy: A Burgundy Chardonnay, with its roundness and buttery notes, can beautifully accompany a Savoyard fondue. This wine, often marked by oak aging, brings a complexity that complements the richness of the cheese. Its balanced structure and moderate acidity provide a pleasant counterpoint to the creamy texture of the fondue.
• Vin Jaune from Jura: Surprising and bold, this wine is often cited as the perfect pairing for strong cheeses.
• Riesling from Alsace: For those who prefer a wine with more pronounced acidity, an Alsace Riesling is an excellent option. Its stone fruit notes and characteristic minerality bring a freshness and vivacity that can pleasantly contrast with the heaviness of the fondue. This white wine, with its finesse, offers a beautiful balance between fruity sweetness and sharp acidity.
• Sancerre Blanc: A Sancerre, made from Sauvignon Blanc, is also perfect for enhancing your homemade cheese fondue. Its citrus and floral aromas, combined with distinct minerality, make it a refreshing companion for cheese fondue. The vibrancy and purity of Sancerre provide a great balance to your meal.

Pro Tip:

For a perfect wine pairing, consider using the same wine in your fondue as the one served at the table. This ensures harmony between the dish and the wine, creating a cohesive and enriching dining experience.

The secret to a great wine pairing with cheese fondue lies in choosing a wine that complements and balances the rich and creamy flavors of the cheese. Whether it's a local Savoie wine, Alsace Riesling, or Sancerre Blanc, the goal is to find a wine that brings enough freshness and acidity to match the creamy character of Savoyard fondue. At Avenue des Vins, we offer a wide selection of wines directly from the château or domaine of your choice. Red wine, white wine, rosé, crémant, or champagne, discover our selections to accompany your cheese fondue and more. Enjoy our wines at the best value with home delivery.