Wine pairing guide
Riesling pairings: cheese, charcuterie & more
Riesling pairs best with washed-rind and pungent cheeses like Munster, Taleggio and Époisses, plus smoked meats and spicy salami. A touch of sweetness tames salt, smoke and heat.
- Body
- Tannin
- Acidity
- Sweetness
Serve: 45–50°F
#1MuensterAlsace's washed-rind cheese with Alsace's grape.
#2TaleggioFunky and creamy, balanced by sweet-tart fruit.#3ÉpoissesOne of the few wines Époisses can't overpower.
The secret weapon for difficult food. High acid and a little sweetness handle funk, smoke, salt and spice that knock other wines over.
The best pairings for Riesling
| Pair it with | Why it works | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| MuensterCheese | Alsace's washed-rind cheese with Alsace's grape. | What grows together goes together |
| TaleggioCheese | Funky and creamy, balanced by sweet-tart fruit. | Salt loves sweet |
| ÉpoissesCheese | One of the few wines Époisses can't overpower. | Salt loves sweet |
 LimburgerCheese | Pungent rind, tamed by acid and sweetness. | Salt loves sweet |
| Smoked GoudaCheese | Smoke softens next to off-dry fruit. | Salt loves sweet |
| Black Forest HamCured Meat & Seafood | Smoked German ham with a German Riesling. | What grows together goes together |
 SpeckCured Meat & Seafood | Smoky, juniper-scented ham and sweet-tart wine. | Salt loves sweet |
| 'NdujaCured Meat & Seafood | Spicy, spreadable salami cooled by sugar and acid. | Salt loves sweet |
| Pickled Red OnionsPickles, Olives & Briny | One of the few wines that loves pickles. | Acid cuts richness |
| ApplesFruit | Tart apple mirrors the grape. | Match the weight |
| Mango ChutneySpreads, Jams & Honey | Sweet-spicy chutney with an off-dry white. | Match the weight |
Skip these with Riesling
- Dark Chocolate Bitter chocolate turns the wine sour.
- Bresaola Lean, dry beef wants red, not sugar.
- Gorgonzola Only with sweet dessert Riesling; a dry one tastes thin next to it.
Budget swap
Look for 'Kabinett' on German labels for a light, off-dry style; Washington and Finger Lakes Rieslings are great value.
Cheeses on this page: Muenster, Taleggio, Époisses, Limburger, Smoked Gouda.
Boards to pour Riesling with
Why these work
- What grows together goes together Foods and drinks from the same region grew up on the same tables, so Manchego and Rioja or Parmigiano and Lambrusco rarely miss.
- Salt loves sweet Salt makes sweetness taste rounder and sweetness makes salt taste less harsh, which is why ham and melon or blue cheese and honey work.
- Acid cuts richness Bright acid in wine, fruit or pickles rinses butterfat off your palate, so the next bite of a creamy cheese tastes as good as the first.
- Match the weight Light with light, bold with bold. A delicate cheese disappears next to a heavy red; a pungent one flattens a crisp white.
Similar bottles: IPA · Lager & Pilsner · Belgian Ale
Planning Thanksgiving & Friendsgiving? See the full board plan.
Riesling pairing questions
What cheese goes with Riesling?
Washed-rind cheeses (Munster, Taleggio, Époisses) and smoked cheeses. The sweetness and acid calm their funk and smoke.
Does Riesling go with spicy charcuterie?
Yes, it's the best wine for it. A little sweetness cools 'nduja, chorizo and pepper salami.
Is Riesling always sweet?
No. It ranges from bone dry to dessert-sweet. 'Trocken' means dry; 'Kabinett' is lightly sweet.
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