Versatile and smooth, Chardonnay complements everything from mild Gouda and Colby to fresh cheeses. To highlight its creamy texture, pair it with indulgent options like Brie, Camembert, and Double Cream cheese..

New Zealand Pinot Gris brings classic pear and ginger notes that pair wonderfully with cheeses that have a bit of heat. Its sweeter, spicier style beautifully balances bold and spicy cheeses.

Crisp and floral, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc cuts through saltiness to pair brilliantly with goat’s cheese, Feta, or Chèvre. It also pairs surprisingly well with nutty, aged Gruyère.

Viognier, Gewürztraminer or sweet Rielsing pair brilliantly with blue cheese. For semi-hard cheeses like Swiss or Cheddar, choose a semi-dry Riesling, while a dry Riesling works best with soft, creamy cheeses like Brie and Camembert.

Cabernet is a bold wine with strong tannins that pairs perfectly with aged Cheddar or aged Swiss. It also works well with aged washed-rind cheese if you enjoy fuller, stronger flavours.

Smooth and friendly, Merlot pairs effortlessly with many cheeses. It works brilliantly alongside creamy Havarti, aged Parmesan, or stronger blue-veined varieties like Gorgonzola.

Light-bodied and fruit-forward, Pinot Noir pairs best with mild, semi-soft cheeses like Gouda, Havarti, Colby, and Gruyère. Avoid strong blue or fresh goat cheeses, as their bold flavours can overpower this delicate red.

Intense and berry-forward, Syrah and Shiraz need bold cheeses that can handle their strength. Pair them with salty, hard, or pungent options like Pecorino, Edam, and rich blue cheeses.

With a light colour, these types of rosés pair well with fresh cheeses such as Mozzarella or Burrata, but are ideal with a young Feta, Cheddar, or even baby Swiss cheese.

Fruity, acidic, and crisp, a glass of Pinot Noir rosé can go well with cheeses like Feta and Mascarpone. Bolder, darker Syrah rosés pair well with stronger cheeses like aged Cheddar or Gouda.

Prosecco is towards the sweeter end of the flavour spectrum, and pairs best with an earthier cheese. Soft cheeses like Camembert complement a glass of Prosecco. If it’s a dry Prosecco, choose a creamy cheese, like double cream Brie.

Sparkling Rosé wines made from Pinot Noir can have fruit notes that pair well with many salty cheeses. Parmigiano-Reggiano is a dense cheese with a sharper flavour that makes a great pair with these types of sparkling wines.

These wines can be tricky to pair, as sweetness often cancels out the cheese. Try a milks blue cheese, or skip the cheese altogether and enjoy the bubbly on its own as a palate refresher.

Brut-style Champagne is dry and pairs well with buttery and earthy types of cheese. A nutty-flavoured Gruyère is an ideal match. Washed-rind cheeses (the stinkier, the better) and blue cheese also pair well with Chardonnay-dominant Champagnes.

Always let the wine guide your cheese selection. Celebrating Christmas or New Year? The occasion calls for a bottle of bubbly. Celebrating someone with a preference for style and flair? Dads tend to love Barossa Shiraz.

Start with the wines you’ll be serving and build your platter with cheeses you know work. For example, if you’re opening a bottle of Pinot Gris, include a mild Cheddar, Cumin-infused Gouda, and a spreadable cheese with a hint of chilli.

While wine and cheese may steal the limelight, it’s important to consider having crackers or bread to go with your cheese. When choosing a base, go for oat biscuits, water crackers, or French bread that doesn't clash with your wine notes.