The wine you choose to pair with a Port Salut cheese can range from light-bodied wine to a full-bodied, complex one with a strong finish. Port Salut is a semi-soft cheese known for its iconic orange rind with a very strong fragrance that is immediately recognizable. The flavor profile of this cheese gives it a versatile nature with a slightly sweet but also savory finish. This cheese can be served with olives, nuts, crackers, and a variety of cold cuts to complete a charcuterie platter for a night in. We will cover a wide range of wines that you can serve with this cheese.
Wine Characteristics To Pair With Port Salud
| Characteristic | Detail |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Acidity | Low |
| Tannins | Low |
| Body | Light White / Rosé |
| Tasting Notes | Citrus and stone fruits |
Wines that offer a fresh and citrusy note on the palette would enhance the flavors of port salut and bring out its flavors. A light-bodied white or a rosé would be ideal as they wouldn’t overpower the subtle characteristics of the cheese which can be cut into cubes or grilled in a sandwich as well. We also recommend serving this cheese with fresh fruit such as cantaloupe.
Best Red Wine To Drink With Port Salut
Red wine lovers could go for a light to medium-bodied red starting with Chianti or Pinot Noir with Port Salut. Even a rosé will pair with this cheese especially when you’re enjoying it in cooler temperatures.
Beaujolais
Since Port Salut is a cheese local to France, we recommend a local red wine, made from the Gamay grape, a favorite of the region. Flavors of strawberry, pepper, and cranberry make it a natural pairing with light to mild cheese like Port Salut.
Pinot Noir
A light and young Pinot Noir with more red fruit-like flavors such as cherry, red currant, or raspberry would be ideal to be served with Port Salut.
Barbera
An Italian Barbera would be one of the best reds that can be paired with Port Salut. The mild red wine with notes of raspberry, spices, herbs, and cherry would pair well with this cheese.
Rosé
An ideal accompaniment would include a light, crispy and dry rosé of Grenache, Syrah, or Cinsault. Served chilled, this would complete a wine and cheese pairing on a hot summer day!
Best White Wine To Drink With Port Salut
There is no shortage of white wines that can be coupled with Port Salut. The variety of tasting notes each white wine offers gives such a range to choose from – you’ll get spoilt by choice.
Sauvignon Blanc
The dry, tart, and acidic nature of a sauvignon blanc makes it a great candidate to go with a variety of semi-soft cheeses like Port Salut. Sauvignon Blancs and cheese are a perfect pair!
Gewurztraminer
For a white wine strong on the nose and palette, opt for a floral, and perfumed Gewurztraminer which boasts tasting notes of lychee and fresh orange rind flavors while also being full-bodied.
Chardonnay
The velvety nature of chardonnay makes it a great wine to go well with Port Salut. The notes of citrus, apple, peach, honey, and butter make it a mouth-watering pairing for this French cheese.
Riesling
If you’re looking for a lighter but more intensely flavored wine, a Riesling would be a bold but beautiful choice that would enhance the taste of Port Salut with its sweet and intense finish.
Prosecco
Saving the best for the last, we think Port Salut is an excellent opportunity to pair with Prosecco. A dry, light-bodied, and medium acidity, wine Prosecco is made from Glera and will definitely be a great pairing that will enhance the overall nature of the cheese.
Best Wine To Drink With Port Salut
A variety of light and rich wines can be paired with port salut. The best part is that you are not limited to either a red or white variety due to the versatile nature of this cheese. We recommend serving the following wines with this cheese on a board or grilled in a sandwich if you’d like.
- Pinot Noir
- Beaujolais
- Barbera
- Rosé
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
- Chardonnay
- Prosecco
