Cheese

Cheese. A true pillar of gastronomy, it is much more than just a food: it is an invitation to travel, a distillation of terroir and expertise, and often the highlight of a convivial meal. From fresh, creamy cheeses to hard, crystalline textures, from mild, milky flavors to powerful, assertive aromas, the diversity of the cheese world is almost infinite. And for each type of cheese, there is a wine capable of creating perfect harmony, enhancing its nuances and transforming the tasting experience into something truly exceptional. At CAVE, we celebrate this richness and help you find the ideal pairing, based on your current cheese selection.

Pairing wines with cheese is an exciting exercise, often tinged with preconceived ideas. Far from the persistent myth that only red wine can accompany cheese, experience reveals that the diversity of cheeses calls for an equally varied range of wines: dry whites, sweet wines, light or powerful reds, and even sparkling wines or sake! The key lies in understanding the texture (creamy, dry, grainy), the aromatic intensity (delicate, fruity, animal, pungent), the fat content of the cheese, and the origin of the milk. Our "Perfect Pairings" philosophy guides you precisely in this process: finding the wine that will respect, balance, and enhance every bite.

A few essential principles for successful cheese pairings:

• Freshness above all: Good acidity in wine is often essential to cut through the richness of cheese and cleanse the palate, thus avoiding any feeling of heaviness.

• Balance of forces: A delicate cheese will pair well with a delicate wine, while a powerful cheese will require a wine with more character so as not to be overwhelmed. The intensity should be equivalent.

• Consider texture: A creamy cheese can be enhanced by a lively wine that provides contrast, or by a rich wine that reinforces its creaminess.

For fresh or mature goat's cheeses and soft, bloomy-rind cheeses such as Brie or Camembert, opt for dry, lively, mineral white wines, often with notes of citrus, blackcurrant buds or flowers. Their freshness and liveliness go perfectly with the acidity and creamy texture of these cheese. Some light, fruity reds can also be good companions, provided they have very subtle tannins.

When choosing hard cheeses, whether made with cooked or uncooked curds (Comté, Gruyère, Beaufort, mature Cheddar), opt for more structured red wines with mellow tannins and aromas of ripe fruit, spices or undergrowth, which will complement the complexity and richness of these cheeses. Rich, full-bodied white wines, sometimes with a hint of oak, can also create sublime pairings, especially with older cheeses with notes of toasted hazelnut.

Finally, blue cheeses, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola, often call for sweet, syrupy wines. The sweetness of the wine balances the power and pungency of the cheese, creating an explosion of flavors in which richness blends with creaminess. For washed-rind cheeses, which are very aromatic and powerful, certain structured and highly expressive white wines are often bold and successful choices, capable of standing up to them.

Our quest for "Perfect Pairings" takes you far beyond the beaten track! We explore varied and exciting terroirs around the world. Our extensive and inclusive selection comprises wines from organic, biodynamic, and conventional agriculture, because diversity and open-mindedness are at the heart of our passion for wine. Each bottle we showcase is a gem from our regularly rotating selection of 1,500 wines, chosen specifically for their perfect pairing with cheese. This approach guarantees a constant source of inspiration for your future discoveries.

Because your cheese platter is unique, our team of enthusiasts is always on hand to offer personalized advice. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have a particular cheese in mind or if you're looking to create the perfect pairing that will delight your taste buds and those of your guests. We'll also be happy to recommend the ideal wines to complement white meat, red meat or even offal, or to enhance the enjoyment of a cigar or a romantic evening!

Dive into our current selection of cheeses and get ready for moments of sharing, flavor, and pure indulgence! Great taste doesn't wait!