What wines go well with fondue, raclette, and tartiflette?

What wines go well with fondue, raclette, and tartiflette? With winter here and mountain vacations on the horizon, the craving for comfort food—specifically Savoyard cheese-based dishes like raclette, tartiflette, and fondue—kicks in. As your mouth waters at the thought of enjoying these dishes, the question arises: which wine should you pair with them?

Wine and raclette

Raclette is undoubtedly the most iconic dish of winter, mountain vacations, and cozy get-togethers with family or friends. Few people would turn down the chance to enjoy such a culinary delight. Historically, raclette was a dish made solely of melted cheese and potatoes; cold cuts were added only later. As for wine pairings, white wine is generally preferred, but red wine also works well thanks to the inclusion of cold cuts.

What white wines go well with raclette?

When pairing, it’s important to find a white wine that complements the richness of the cheese and charcuterie. You should therefore opt for wines with a bit of body and, above all, freshness to balance out the dish. Here, the most obvious pairing is to serve your raclette with wines from Savoie, as these meet these criteria. The selection is vast; you can certainly pair your raclette with a Roussette from Gilles Berlioz, a Chignin-Bergeron from Quenard, or even an Apremont from L’Epervière. You can also pair your raclette with wines from the Jura—why not a Côtes du Jura from Berthet-Bondet? Or perhaps an Arbois from Rijckaert? Finally, pairing with white wines from the Mâconnais region is also possible. Here, we highly recommend the Mâcons or Saint-Vérans from the Bret brothers, or from their Domaine de la Soufrandière. Domaine de la Garenne also produces excellent Mâcons.

What red wines go well with raclette?

When it comes to red wines, it’s important to choose lighter wines with low tannin levels, as the tannins in red wine don’t pair well with cheese. Here again, the regional pairing of raclette with wines from Savoie works well; in this case, you might opt for a Mondeuse from Louis Magnin. Wines from the Jura are also a great option; take, for example, an Arbois from Rolet. You can also pair raclette with a red wine made from Gamay. To do so, look to the Beaujolais region; here you can opt for a Brouilly from Thivin, a Moulin-à-Vent from Rottiers, or even a Juliénas de Bonnet. Another option is to pair your raclette with a light, fruity Pinot Noir-based red wine, such as a Burgundy from Jadot or Clément.

Wine and Savoyard fondue

Fondue, a winter dish that also originates from Savoie, is made with a variety of cheeses (usually Comté, Beaufort, and Emmental), white wine, and pieces of bread. White wine is the preferred choice, but there are also options with red wine. Which white wines pair well with Savoyard fondue? When pairing, it’s important to consider the richness of the Savoyard fondue, as well as the salty flavor of the cheeses. You should therefore choose wines with acidity and, above all, a structure that allows them to complement the fondue. As with raclette, the safest bet remains a regional pairing with wines from Savoie, such as a Roussette from Fabien Trosset or an Abyme from Domaine Blard. Wines from the Jura also work very well, so try a Côte du Jura from Badoz or even—let’s go wild—a Château Châlon Vin Jaune from Berthet-Bondet. If you’re tempted by Mâconnais wines, you can opt for this Pouilly-Fuissé from Les Rontets, or this Saint-Véran from Les Vignerons des Terres Secrètes, a winery that was recently honored by *La Revue du Vin de France*. Alsace wines are a perfect choice; here we recommend a superb Pinot Gris from Boxler, by Albert Mann, or a Riesling from Weinbach. Last but not least, the structure of Rhône white wines makes them ideal for pairing with a Savoyard fondue. Here, a lovely Croze-Hermitage from Domaine Combier will delight your taste buds.

What red wines go well with Savoyard fondue?

Just like with raclette, it’s important to choose light, fruit-forward red wines. To do so, showcase Savoie with a Mondeuse from Quenard, or try some fruity Beaujolais wines, such as a Morgon from Piron. Alternatively, take a detour to the Jura with this Côtes-du-Jura from Domaine Grand.

Wine and tartiflette

Tartiflette is a dish made with Reblochon cheese, onions, bacon bits, and potatoes, all baked in the oven to our great delight. The addition of bacon bits makes it easier to pair with red wines.

What white wines go well with tartiflette?

Once again, opt for wines with a lively acidity and a certain aromatic richness. In Savoie, a Chignin-Bergeron from Magnin will pair perfectly with your tartiflette. In the Jura, try the Côtes du Jura from Berthet-Bondet. The Rhône alternative, with its sunny wines, is also worth considering. Try the Croze-Hermitage from Combier or, for a real treat, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Les Cailloux estate.

What red wines go well with tartiflette?

As with raclette and fondue, opt for wines with low tannins and a lovely fruitiness. Here, we suggest serving a Mondeuse from Magnin or a Juliénas from Château Bonnet. Pinot Noir also takes center stage with a red Burgundy from Louis Jadot. Once again, the Rhône region will delight you with a Crozes-Hermitage from Domaine des Rémizières. Finally, another option is to head to the Loire Valley and opt for a superb Bourgueil from the Amirault Estate. We hope this article will help you become an expert on choosing the perfect wine to pair with your raclette, tartiflette, or fondue. With that, bon appétit!