There's only one wine to go with fondue and raclette
6.11.2019
Translation: Eva Francis
Whenever I’m invited to a fondue or raclette dinner, I bring wine. Even if the host assures they’ve bought wine. I’m not going to risk being served the wrong one.
Fondue is an emotive issue for me and I hate the trend towards new fondue creations. Gorgonzola and truffles should be banned from fondue. Beer and cider are drinks and not an ingredient of the Swiss national dish. In my opinion, there’s only one kind of fondue: moitié-moitié.
Using the right wine when cooking it is just as important as getting the mixture of the two cheeses right. There’s only one grape variety that can carry the cheese without ruining your fondue with too much acidity or fruity notes. The perfect fondue recipe includes: Chasselas, Gruyère, Vacherin, garlic, corn starch to thicken, pepper and a little nutmeg. This was, is and always will be the perfect fondue. I don't make exceptions when it comes to the accompanying wine, either.
Chasselas and ONLY Chasselas
I'm a fondue and raclette patriot. Chasselas (referred to as «Fendant» in the Valais and «Gutedel» in Germany) is the oldest grape variety in Switzerland and the most widespread white wine variety in this country. Instead of overwhelming wine connoisseurs with fruity aromas, Chasselas is unobtrusive. The soil on which the grape grows is an ideal addition to the taste of the wine. Besides, it doesn't have too much acidity, which wouldn’t go well with cheese. Yes, you should cook with the wine you drink and drink the wine you cook with.
What about raclette?
Chasselas also goes very well with raclette, but I'm happy to give you some alternatives. Raclette cheese can be anything from very mild to very sharp, so there's a wider choice with wine, too. It doesn't always have to be Fendant: Johannisberg (Sylvaner), Petite Arvine or Heida are also popular raclette wines in the Valais, I've been told. And even though I prefer to drink rosé with an aperitif in summer, Oeil de Perdrix also goes very well with raclette.
Why not red wine?
I might be going out on a limb with this opinion, but there is red wine that goes with raclette, too. But only Pinot Noir. Make sure the wine didn’t age in wooden barrels and doesn’t contain much tannin. That wouldn’t go well with the cheese.
What are your wine recommendations for raclette and fondue? You don't agree with me about moitié-moitié? Let me know by commenting below this article.
Title picture Vasile Cotovanu under CC BY 2.0 / Flickr
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
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