White Wine For Fondue: The Perfect Dry Pairing

what is a dry white wine for fondue

When it comes to making fondue, the type of wine you use is important. A dry white wine is typically used, with the best options being Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, or unoaked Chardonnay. The wine is used to bind the fondue together, creating a smooth and creamy texture, while also adding flavour. The natural tartaric acid in the wine also prevents the cheese proteins from clumping together, so it is important to use wine with a high acid content.

Characteristics Values
Type of wine Dry white wine
Wine varieties Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Vinho Verde, Sémillon, Albariño, Torrontés, Friulano, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Grüner Aichenberg Premium Gruner Veltliner, Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial, Moët & Chandon Imperial, Rosé
Wine characteristics Crisp flavour, high acidity, unoaked
Purpose Binds the cheese sauce, creates a smooth and creamy fondue, adds flavour, prevents clumping

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Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and un-oaked Chardonnay are the best white wines for fondue

When it comes to choosing a dry white wine for fondue, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and un-oaked Chardonnay are excellent options. These wines have the perfect balance of crispness, fruitiness, and acidity to complement the cheese and enhance the overall flavour of the fondue.

Pinot Grigio, a crisp and fruity choice, pairs beautifully with the cheese, adding a refreshing touch to the fondue. Its mineral notes also contribute to its versatility, making it a great option for those who want a wine that can be used in various dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc stands out for its crisp flavour and high acidity. The acidity in this wine improves the texture of the melted cheese, making it smoother and more indulgent. It's the perfect choice for those who want their fondue to have a rich and creamy mouthfeel.

Un-oaked Chardonnay, on the other hand, is a fantastic option for those who want to add a touch of richness to their fondue. Its unoaked variety ensures that the wine doesn't overpower the delicate flavours of the cheese. This variety is particularly well-suited for those who plan to serve their fondue with rich sauces or creamy pasta dishes.

When selecting a wine for fondue, it's important to remember that the wine's flavour will directly impact the fondue's taste. Therefore, it's recommended to choose a wine that you would enjoy drinking with your meal. Additionally, opting for a dry and high-acid wine will help cut through the richness of the cheese, creating a harmonious flavour profile.

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the best dry white wine for fondue, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and un-oaked Chardonnay are excellent choices. Each of these wines offers distinct flavour profiles and characteristics that can enhance the fondue experience, making it a delightful and indulgent treat for any occasion.

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Wine is essential to fondue as it prevents the cheese from clumping together

Wine is an essential ingredient in fondue, and not just for flavour. The acid in wine helps to prevent the cheese from clumping together, giving the fondue a smooth texture. This is why it is recommended to use a dry white wine with a high acidity.

The best white wines for fondue are Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and unoaked Chardonnay. The high acidity in Sauvignon Blanc, for example, improves the texture of the melted cheese, making it smoother. Unoaked Chardonnay is also a good choice for fondue as it has some more richness, which is ideal for a creamy fondue.

If you want to make a non-alcoholic fondue, you can substitute the wine with chicken broth and lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon is essential to prevent the cheese from clumping together.

When making fondue, it is also important to grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in starch, which can cause it to melt unevenly and make the fondue gritty.

Fondue: Main Course or Not?

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Wine also adds flavour to fondue

Wine is an essential ingredient in fondue, not just for flavour but also for its natural tartaric acid, which prevents the cheese's casein proteins from clumping together. The best dry white wines for fondue are Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and unoaked Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice because its high acidity improves the texture of the melted cheese, making it smoother. Unoaked Chardonnay is a great option for fondue because it has some more richness. Other dry white wines, like Vinho Verde or Albariño, are also good choices.

If you're making a fondue with seafood, a dry white wine will give the dish a bright flavour that complements the delicate texture of the seafood. Pinot Grigio is a good choice for seafood fondue because it is crisp, with flavours of fruit, citrus, and mineral. Sauvignon Blanc can also add some lemon or herbal flavour to your dish.

When it comes to wine pairings with your fondue, you can choose from a variety of options. For white wine, you can go for a dry or off-dry Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, or Chenin Blanc. If you prefer red wine, a light, dry, unoaked Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or Cabernet Franc would be a good choice.

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Dry white wines for fondue include Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Vinho Verde, Sémillon, Albariño, Torrontés, and Friulano

When making fondue, it's important to use a dry white wine. This is because the wine's natural tartaric acid prevents the cheese's casein proteins from clumping together, which would otherwise result in a clumpy fondue.

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If you want to make a non-alcoholic fondue, substitute wine with chicken broth and lemon juice

The best dry white wines for fondue are Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and unoaked Chardonnay. The wine adds flavour to the fondue and its acid helps to keep the cheese from stringing together.

You can also add a tablespoon of cornflour (cornstarch) to the fondue to further stabilise the cheese and thicken the fondue as it cooks. The fondue will be less stable without wine, so heat gently to reduce the risk of curdling. It is also recommended to use a mix of harder cheeses, such as Gruyere and cheddar, and omit soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert. The flavour will also be milder, so you may need to add extra seasoning or spice.

For a simple non-alcoholic fondue recipe, you will need:

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 200g shredded cheese of your choice ( Gruyere and Emmental are traditional choices)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sweet paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • Boiled or roasted potatoes
  • Blanched vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes)

To make the fondue, add the cornstarch to the shredded cheese and toss to coat. In a saucepan, combine the chicken broth, milk, and garlic. Turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low to medium heat. Gradually add the cheese in batches, stirring gently until it is almost completely melted before adding the next batch. Once all the cheese has been added, stir in the spices and continue to stir until the cheese is fully melted and the fondue has thickened. Finish by stirring in the lemon juice and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

The best dry white wines for fondue are Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, or unoaked Chardonnay.

The canonical fondue wine is Fendant, which is made in the Valais region of Switzerland from Chasselas grapes.

Wine contains natural tartaric acid, which prevents the cheese proteins from clumping together and breaking the sauce. It also adds flavour.

You can, but it's generally recommended to use a dry white wine to cut through the creamy cheese. If you do use a red wine, it should be a light, dry, unoaked variety such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.

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