European mountain cheeses explained: Comté, Gruyère, and Fontina Val d’Aosta paired with Gamay. Learn why Alpine cheeses and juicy red wine are such a natural match.
This month in the Cheesetique Cheese & Wine Club, we’re heading to the mountains of Europe. From the Jura in France to Switzerland and Italy’s Val d’Aosta, these classic Alpine cheeses were crafted to nourish communities through long winters — and they’re still some of the most satisfying cheeses in the world.
We’re tasting Comté, Gruyère, and Fontina Val d’Aosta — three raw cow’s milk cheeses that share a mountain heritage but express it in beautifully different ways. Think hazelnut and browned butter in Comté, savory depth and toasted nuts in Gruyère, and the rich, earthy smoothness of Fontina.
Alongside them, we’re pouring Mommessin “Terres de Gamay” Gamay Noir 2023 from Burgundy — a juicy, fresh red with soft tannins and just a touch of Syrah for gentle spice. Together, this pairing shows how bright acidity and mountain cheeses create harmony on the palate.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about pairing red wine with firm cheeses, this tasting will give you confidence — and maybe a new favorite combination.
Want to taste and learn alongside us each month?
👉 Join the Cheesetique Cheese & Wine Club here:
https://www.cheesetique.com/cheeseclub/ And, build your pairing confidence one delicious box at a time.
👉 Watch the full Cheese & Wine Club Tasting series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0EVFTymeHil43wtmwr8Bxgm8GXimmHyk
00:04 Welcome + February Mountain Theme
00:47 What Makes Alpine Cheeses Special
01:30 Comté – Jura Mountains, France
03:05 Gruyère – Switzerland
03:41 Fontina Val d’Aosta – Italy
04:43 Accompaniments (Apricots + Crisps)
05:00 The Wine: Gamay Noir with a Touch of Syrah
05:56 Why This Pairing Works
06:08 Final Thoughts + See You Next Month
#CheeseAndWine #WinePairing #CheeseEducation
1 Comment
Which of these mountain cheeses surprised you most — Comté, Gruyère, or Fontina Val d’Aosta?