Switzerland is famous not only for its beautiful landscapes and its picturesque towns but also for some food items. Especially Swiss cheese and chocolate are world-famous. But do you actually know a typical Swiss main dish? If not, this article is for you. It will discuss the best Swiss food and wine pairings.
The best wine to pair with Swiss food is a medium- to full-bodied white wine with a good level of acidity. Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon wines that spent some time aging in oak barrels are just perfect.
Depending on the dish and recipe, other wines might be good pairings as well. To better understand Swiss food and wine pairings, let us discuss some examples:
But first, let us talk about some general characteristics of Swiss dishes.
Which Wine and Swiss Food Pairings Work Best?
Many dishes from Switzerland feature the country’s most famous ingredient: cheese. Typically, it is used to scallop the other ingredients which might be meat, potatoes, pasta, or vegetables.
But even when made without cheese, Swiss meals tend to be hearty and savory. To match these dishes, you need a wine with a decent body and good acidity. Whites are usually the better matches, but lighter reds can work as well.
With these general recommendations in mind, let us get into specific Swiss food and wine pairings.
Fondue and Wine
Cheese Fondue might be the most famous of all Swiss dishes. It is a typical meal for large groups, that not only the Swiss but also the Germans and Austrians like to serve at parties or family gatherings. As the name suggests, the main ingredient is melted cheese, or more precisely cheeses, because chefs usually combine two or more types for fondue. The most common types are Gruyère and Emmental. Both are local variations of hard cheese. The chef mixes the melted cheese with dry white wine, garlic, and Kirschwasser, a strong cherry-flavored spirit. Finally, salt, pepper, and nutmeg round up the flavor profile.
The Fondue is then served in a big pot called “caquelon” and eaten by dipping bread crumbs into the cheese. The combination of the crunchy bread and the creamy cheese makes a unique, flavorful dining experience.
The best wine pairing for Swiss cheese Fondue is a dry white wine. It needs a significant level of acidity to cut through the creamy cheese, so go for a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay. Look out for wines from Neuchatel or Geneva or, if not available, from France. Unoaked wines are better than oaked wines, which might be too powerful.
