Food & wine
Which wine goes with cheese fondue?
White or red with cheese fondue? Compare wine styles, Portuguese alternatives and wine for the recipe, with practical serving tips for your Swiss fondue night.
For cheese fondue: a dry, balanced white. Chasselas/Fendant is the Swiss classic. Fresh whites from Vinho Verde are Portuguese alternatives worth comparing.
Choose your style first. This guide covers cheese fondue, rather than meat-and-broth fondue chinoise.
White, red or alcohol-free?
- The classicWhite & dryFresh, balanced, without dominant oak. Chasselas/Fendant is a reference point.
- The alternativeRed & lightFruity Pinot Noir with gentle tannins. Try slightly chilled.
- Alcohol-freeChoose carefullyWater, unsweetened tea or a suitable 0.0 option. Check alcohol and sweetness.
Which wine for which cheese blend?
The cheese blend matters too. Taste the wine with a bite of bread and cheese.
| At the table | What to look for | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Moitié-moitié | Dry, balanced white; traditionally Chasselas/Fendant. | Restrained oak. |
| Mild fondue | Fresh, light white; compare Vinho Verde too. | Avoid excessive power or sweetness. |
| With mushrooms or stronger cheese | White with some texture or light, fruity red. | Choose for the finished dish. |
| With ham | Pinot Noir with gentle tannins as an alternative. | Fruit and restrained oak. |
The wine in the pot need not be the wine in your glass
1 dl · 200 g cheese
Swissmilk suggests roughly 1 dl of dry, acidic white wine per 200 g of cheese. Your specific recipe’s quantities take priority.
Your taste
The same wine is possible, but not essential. Fruity red can go in the glass while white goes in the pot.
Guide: Swissmilk. A Vacherin-only fondue may use a different recipe.
Three Portuguese whites to compare
Three suggestions from our range. Choose the profile that appeals to you.
Santa Cristina Branco
Dry and fruity. Arinto, Azal, Loureiro and Trajadura. Producer’s serving recommendation: 8 °C.
Dona Paterna Alvarinho
Alvarinho from Monção e Melgaço with citrus and floral notes. Producer’s serving recommendation: 10–11 °C.
Quinta de Santa Cristina Loureiro/Alvarinho
Freshness and floral notes; the description also suggests cheese boards. An idea to compare, rather than a tested fondue pairing.
Compare bottles, current prices and vintages
Start cool and keep the bottle away from the pot
Keep the bottle away from the burner and pour small amounts. These are starting points; the producer’s advice takes priority.
White
8–11 °CStart fresh. Let it warm a little in the glass.
Light red
12–14 °CTry slightly chilled.
At the table
Small glassesPour a little; keep the bottle away from heat.
Read more in our wine serving temperature guide.
Make your choice without fuss
- Choose the cheeseMild, strong or with mushrooms?
- Set style & budgetMore expensive does not mean a better pairing.
- Separate recipe and drinkAlcohol-free? Consider the wine and kirsch in the recipe too.
- Reseal leftoversKeep chilled. See the storage guide.
Two questions before fondue night
Fondue without white wine?
Yes. Swissmilk suggests stock or alcohol-free white, among other options. Use a suitable recipe and check the kirsch too.
Any alcohol-free white?
Not automatically: check sweetness and alcohol. Read the 0.0 guide.
A bottle for your fondue night
Compare bottles below or ask our team in Schlieren with your cheese choices and budget. Delivery within Switzerland. For another evening: wine with raclette.
Sources and context: Swissmilk · Fondue & Wein; Swissmilk · Fondue ohne Alkohol; Schweiz Tourismus · Käsefondue; Quinta de Santa Cristina · Branco; Dona Paterna · Alvarinho.
Checked on 08.10.2026. Suggestions based on product descriptions, without claiming tasting tests. Current prices and vintages on the products. Both fondue pictures are AI-created editorial illustrations, not photographs of a WEIN event.
