Raclette and wine pairing
If you ask us, winter is all about comfort foods and delicious wine - bold reds and creamy whites - to beat the cold weather blues. And Raclette is our ultimate warming dinner. A few people in this office are obsessed with it, especially our slightly fromage-addicted French team members.
You may wonder, what is raclette cheese?
Raclette is a semi-hard cheese made on both sides of the French and Swiss Alps. The name also applies to a dish made with the melted cheese, typically eaten with potatoes. Pronounced rah-klett in its native French, this meal can usually be found on the menu of restaurants high in the French Alps.
The method of melting the cheese to make Raclette has changed over the years. Did you know that initially the cheese was melted near the fire? Open fires are not so common in Australia, but luckily for us the raclette cheese round can also be melted on a grill and scraped onto plates.
Raclette Pairing
Since the beginning of winter, Raclette has taken over Australia. One thing we love about Raclette is that it can be paired with quite a few different wines. The Swiss will tell you Raclette is best paired with a dry white wine such as a Roussette from Savoie, in France. We like to be less predictable, so we would suggest Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris, both with refreshing acid to complement the rich cheese. Try Handpicked Wines Regional Selection Pinot Grigio from Venezia Giulia in Italy.
For red wine lovers, a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Shiraz would be a beautiful match for the Raclette flavours. We have a few options on our website for your next dinner party or a quiet night in.
Our winemaker's recommendations
Collection Barossa Valley, South Australia Shiraz
Collection Margaret River, Western Australia Cabernet Merlot
Collection Margaret River, Western Australia Cabernet Sauvignon
Collection Coonawarra, South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon
Watch Handpicked Wines Raclette on the Morning Show
Handpicked Wines' cellar door manager Anthony was on the Morning Show (Channel 7) with everything you need to know about creating the perfect pair when it comes to cheese and wine!
