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Which wine to drink with raclette ?
As soon as the first frosts arrive, you start dreaming of cozy evenings, relaxation, and delicious food. Do your eyes light up at the thought of a log fire and hearty, comforting dishes such as fondue or raclette?
To savor these moments even more, it's best to pair your food with the right wines. Before you take your fondue pot or raclette machine out of the cupboard, follow our advice... So, which wine should you drink with fondue or raclette?
Wine and melted cheese pairing
White wine is the best choice to accompany melted cheese. Choose a white wine that is not too dry, but with a nice freshness, such as Pinot Blanc des Chasseurs de Lune. The idea is that the wine should have enough roundness (i.e., voluptuousness) to complement the richness of the cheese. If the wine is too harsh, dry, or mineral, it will seem harsh alongside this well-rounded dish. Nevertheless, it is important that the wine retains enough freshness, and therefore a nice acidity, to "rinse" the palate, refresh it, and thus counterbalance the richness of the melted cheese.
Even if white wine seems to be the best option, it may not be to everyone's taste. In this case, there are a few red wines that might be worth considering. The ideal choice would be a red wine that is low in tannins and fairly "round" and fruity, such as the Pinot Noir des Chasseurs de Lune,, for exactly the same reasons as the white wine.
What about accompanying your charcuterie platter?
Most of the time, food lovers pour melted cheese not only over potatoes but also over charcuterie. White ham, Bündnerfleisch, dry-cured ham, and other charcuterie items are welcome additions to the table alongside cheese and potatoes. These charcuterie specialties call for a fresh, light white wine with subtle fruitiness, such as Sylvaner des Chasseurs de Lune, or a full-bodied red wine such as Pinot Noir l'Impatient, aged in oak barrels.
An unexpected wine pairing
You can also make a Munster raclette! Yes, really! Often shunned by delicate palates due to its strong smell, Munster is a cheese with character that is actually much milder than it appears. The star of cheese platters, it is traditionally enjoyed with cumin seeds . But Munster is also wonderful when heated, sliced directly onto potatoes. At this point, it's impossible to resist the legendary combination of Munster and Gewurztraminer, accompanied by a good bottle of Gewurztraminer from Chasseur de Lune!
Enjoy!
Whether you prefer fondue savoyarde, traditional raclette, or a more modern version with Munster cheese, there is always an Alsace wine to enhance these comforting moments. Fresh, round whites such as Pinot Blanc or Sylvaner, light reds such as Pinot Noir, or even an expressive Gewurztraminer to accompany strong cheeses... It's up to you to create the perfect pairing for a warm, friendly winter evening full of flavor. And above all, don't forget: pleasure is even better when it's shared!
