Cheese Fondue And Wine: The Perfect Pairing

Fondue is a Swiss dish that is perfect for bringing people together during the colder months. It is a fun and easy dish to make and is a great way to experiment with different food and drink options. While fondue is typically cooked with white wine, there are many drinks that can be paired with it. The best drinks to have with fondue are dry, crisp, and light wines with high acidity to break down and balance the saltiness and fat content of the cheese. The traditional Swiss drink to have with fondue is Fendant, a slightly sparkling white wine made in the canton of Valais using Chasselas grapes. Other recommended wines include Swiss wines such as Swiss Chasselas, Chignin, or Rousette, as well as wines from other regions like Muscadet, Chablis, Austrian Riesling, Jura Poulsard, or Gamay. If you prefer red wine, opt for a fresh and light-bodied one such as a young red Burgundy. For those who do not want to drink alcohol, some sources suggest drinking plain black tea, while others recommend drinking kirsch or herbal tea to help break down the cheese and make your gut feel lighter.

White wine is the best drink to pair with fondue

Fondue is a rich, fatty, salty, and flavourful dish. To cut through the fat content of the cheese and balance out the saltiness, a dry, crisp, and acidic white wine is the best drink to pair with it.

White wines are the best wines for fondue. The high acidity of wines keeps the cheese from detaching and controls the mixture. A crisp, dry white wine will help to break down the cheese. The drier the wine, the more tartaric acid it will have. A dry white wine will also slice through the fat of the cheese.

Swiss wines such as Rosette, Chasselas, and Chignin are excellent for cheese fondue, but they can be difficult to find. A wide array of substitutes can be used, such as any dry, white wine, Alsace, Muscadet, or Chablis. The Gruner Veltliner or Austrian Riesling will also work well. If you prefer red wine, choose a fresh and light-bodied one.

A fondue is a communal dish, and so is the traditional drink that accompanies it—Fendant, a slightly sparkling white wine served almost at room temperature. It is made in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, using Chasselas grapes. When made in the canton of Vaud, it is referred to simply as "Chasselas".

Avoid red wine with fondue

Fondue is a rich, fatty, salty, and flavourful dish, and when it comes to wine, it is best paired with a drink that will complement its strong taste. While some may enjoy a glass of red wine with their fondue, there are a few reasons why you may want to avoid this combination.

Firstly, fondue is traditionally made with white wine, and cheese is the star ingredient, so a red wine is generally not the best choice. Red wines tend to be full-bodied and tannic, which can be overwhelming when paired with the already rich and salty fondue. Instead, it is recommended to go for a crisp, dry white wine, such as a Swiss Chasselas or a Chignin from Savoie. These wines can be hard to come by, so other options include a Muscadet, Chablis, dry Alsace or Austrian Riesling, or a young Grüner Veltliner.

If you are set on having a red wine, it is best to choose a light-bodied variety, such as a young red Burgundy, Gamay, or Dole. A Poulsard from the Jura region can also work. These reds are less likely to overpower the fondue's flavours and will provide a fresher, lighter contrast to the rich, salty cheese.

It is worth noting that some creative chefs have experimented with adding red wine directly to the fondue, creating a unique "red wine fondue". However, this can result in an unappetising colour, and the tannins in the red wine may affect the cheese's ability to melt smoothly. So, while you can be flexible with the type of wine you drink with your fondue, it is generally best to avoid using red wine as an ingredient in your fondue itself.

Fendant is the traditional Swiss drink to have with fondue

Fendant is not the only drink that goes well with fondue, however. A dry cherry brandy called Kirsch is also a popular choice, and is sometimes added directly to the fondue. In fact, a study carried out in Switzerland and Germany found that participants who drank Kirsch with their fondue took longer to digest the meal than those who drank black tea. Nevertheless, the Swiss are unlikely to be convinced to change their ways, and will probably continue to drink Fendant and Kirsch with their fondue for years to come!

Other drinks to pair with fondue include kirsch and herbal tea

While cheese fondue is typically paired with white wine, other drinks to accompany the dish include kirsch and herbal tea.

Kirsch, or Kirschwasser, is a clear spirit made from fermented, double-distilled sour morello cherries. It is traditionally served neat and chilled, but it can also be mixed into a festive punch. A study carried out in Switzerland and Germany found that participants who drank black tea digested fondue in about six hours, while those who drank wine and kirsch took nine hours. However, the study was carried out on a small group, and the findings are unlikely to convince the Swiss to change their drinking habits.

If you're looking for a non-alcoholic option, herbal tea is said to help break down the cheese and make your gut feel lighter. While some sources suggest avoiding tea altogether, plain black tea is recommended as the best non-alcoholic option.

If you want to drink red wine, opt for a light one

If you're looking to pair your fondue with a red wine, it's best to opt for a light-bodied one. While white wines are typically recommended to cut through the fattiness of the cheese, some red wines can complement a fondue pot. A fresh, light-bodied red wine like a young red Burgundy, Gamay, or Jura Poulsard is a good choice. These wines are light and fruity, with low tannins, so they won't overwhelm the delicate flavours of the fondue.

When choosing a red wine for fondue, it's important to consider the type of cheese being used. For example, a bold, full-bodied red wine might not pair well with a classic Swiss cheese fondue made with Gruyère and Emmental, as the strong flavours of the wine could overpower the cheese. Instead, a lighter red wine will complement the nuttiness of the Gruyère and the mildness of the Emmental.

If you're looking for a red wine to pair with a meat fondue, you have a bit more flexibility. A Grenache or Pinot Noir is a good choice, as the high acidity of these wines will cut through the grease of the meat and cheese. Swiss or Austrian reds, such as Blaufränkisch or Zweigelt, are also worth considering for a unique flavour profile.

It's worth noting that the traditional drink to pair with Swiss fondue is Fendant, a slightly sparkling white wine made in the canton of Valais using Chasselas grapes. However, if you're set on a red wine, choosing a light and fresh variety will ensure that your wine and fondue pairing is a success.

Frequently asked questions