French wine and cheese is a culinary duo that deliciously reflects a superior combination of place, history, tradition, and unsurpassed flavor. One of the classics is Comté cheese and Côtes du Rhône wine, a pairing made in epicurean heaven. Both belong to Europe’s Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) classification, which means their quality and authenticity are guaranteed.
Comté cheese is produced in the Jura Massif region in eastern France, where it’s made in cooperative dairies known as “fruitières.” Records show that monks and villagers began producing this semi-hard cow’s milk cheese in the 11th century. Aged a minimum of four months, every wheel of Comté cheese is unique. With complex flavors ranging from buttery and nutty to earthy and fruity, there are many distinct aromas that cheese professionals specifically attribute to this special cheese.
Côtes du Rhône wines are produced in the Rhône Valley in southeastern France. With winegrowing roots dating to ancient Roman times, the wines in this region were the choice of kings and popes throughout centuries and became so famous they needed a defense against imitations. The Côtes du Rhône Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, or AOC, was established in 1937 to protect producers and consumers. This major French wine region features diverse terroirs, microclimates, and 27 grape varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre for reds, and White Grenache, Viognier, Clairette, and Roussanne for whites. The sub-appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages adds a deeper sense of place to the region’s balanced and vibrant expressions.
The wide range of Côtes du Rhône wines includes those that are approachable enough for everyday enjoyment, but also exceptional bottles worthy of gift-giving and holiday gatherings. When paired with the distinctive flavors of Comté cheese, everyone will be inspired to serve these pairings at their own tables for years to come.
Here are some serving suggestions and ideas for what to look for when sharing Côtes du Rhône wines along with Comté cheese, bringing out the best in these French icons.
Friendsgiving
This festive gathering is always a highlight of the season. Celebrate friends that are like family by bringing a wedge of Comté cheese aged 10 to 12 months and a bottle of Côtes du Rhône red from a recent vintage. The younger the cheese, the creamier it will be, with a mild grassy undertone. Paired with the bright fruit and lively acidity of a medium-bodied, Grenache-forward red, this coupling will be the hit of Friendsgiving.
A Gift for the Host
An invitation to a dinner party is the time to make a great impression with an exquisite gift for the host. A beautiful wedge of Comté cheese aged 15 to 18 months will have a firm texture dotted with small crystals and concentrated notes of tropical and dried fruits and a slight nuttiness. Wrap it in cheesecloth bound with a beautiful ribbon and give with a bottle of aromatic and elegant white Côtes du Rhône.
For Someone Special
A gift for someone held dear calls for mature Comté (aged more than two years) along with a bottle of red Côtes du Rhône Villages. The aged cheese will have hints of caramel and roasted nuts. These more mature examples of Comté cheese will also have a beautiful crystalline crackle to their texture and a depth of flavor that calls for a big and spicy Syrah-forward wine with Mourvèdre in the blend, which bursts with ripe, dark fruit.
No Red? No Problem!
For white and rosé lovers, the wines of Côtes du Rhône paired with Comté cheese are a standout combo. Floral and fruity Viognier and Marsanne/Roussanne-based whites help bring out the depth of flavor of a creamy younger Comté. Dry Côtes du Rhône rosé has a complexity that is a natural complement to a nutty, medium-aged wedge of Comté.
Gifting to Impress
Hard-to-impress foodies and oenophiles will be swayed by your exceptional taste when you gift a flight of several expressions of Comté cheese along with wines from Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages, both reds and whites. Include a strong hint for an invitation to taste through your impressive gift. But if no invitation is offered, at least include pairing suggestions with your holiday card.
Show your thoughtfulness — and great taste — by sharing this classic wine and cheese pairing that people will remember. Combining places, centuries of history, artisan passion, and superb flavor profiles, Côtes du Rhône along with Comté cheese will be the stars of the season. Visit your local specialty shop, fine grocery store, or locate a retailer online to get started on your holiday gifting with a match made in France that tastes like pure heaven.
This article is sponsored by Iconic Terroirs of Europe.
