The Perfect Cheeses to Pair with Chenin Blanc

There's something about summer that encourages us to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Long evenings in the garden, picnics in the park, friends dropping by for a glass of wine, and before you know it, a simple cheeseboard has become dinner.

When choosing a wine, many people instinctively reach for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio (and these are all lovely options, of course). But if there's one grape variety, in my humble opinion, that deserves far more attention—especially alongside cheese—it's Chenin Blanc.

With its bright acidity, vibrant fruit and remarkable versatility, Chenin Blanc is one of the easiest wines to pair with food. Better still, it shines in both still and sparkling styles, making it the perfect companion from a relaxed afternoon lunch through to an evening celebration.

At Vino Zero, we're fortunate to currently offer two exceptional expressions of Chenin Blanc from France's Loire Valley: the beautifully fresh DIVIN Classic Chenin Blanc and the elegant DIVIN Vigneron Sparkling Chenin Blanc.

Here's how we're pairing them this summer...

Why Chenin Blanc Loves Cheese

Great wine and cheese pairings are all about balance.

Cheese brings richness, creaminess and savoury flavours.

Chenin Blanc brings freshness, lively acidity and delicate fruit.

The result is a pairing where neither overpowers the other. Instead, each brings out the best in the other.

One of the reasons Chenin Blanc has remained a favourite among sommeliers is its incredible versatility. Whether you're serving fresh goat's cheese on a sunny afternoon or enjoying a rich Brie as the sun goes down, there's a style of Chenin Blanc that's perfectly suited to the occasion.

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DIVIN Classic Chenin Blanc

Fresh, crisp and made for summer afternoons

Our DIVIN Classic Chenin Blanc is wonderfully refreshing, with notes of crisp apple, pear, citrus and white peach balanced by vibrant acidity and a clean finish.

It's the perfect partner for lighter, creamy cheeses and a serious favourite for us at vino Zero.

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Pairing One: Soft Goat's Cheese 

If there were ever a perfect pairing, this is probably it.

Goat's cheese and Chenin Blanc have been enjoyed together in France's Loire Valley for centuries, and once you've tried them together, it's easy to understand why.

Serve with:

• Soft goat's cheese
• Runny honey
• Green grapes
• Fresh thyme
• Crusty baguette

Why it works

The honey softens the tang of the cheese, while the wine's fresh citrus and orchard fruit lift every bite.

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Pairing Two: Brie

Young Brie is rich and buttery without overpowering the wine.

Serve with:

• Brie
• Fig chutney
• Pear slices
• Water crackers

Why it works

The creamy texture of the Brie is balanced beautifully by Chenin Blanc's freshness, while the fig chutney complements the wine's gentle fruit flavours.

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Pairing Three: Mature Cheddar

A good farmhouse Cheddar might seem like an obvious choice for red wine, but don't overlook Chenin Blanc.

Serve with:

• Mature Cheddar
• Caramelised onion chutney
• Apple slices
• Oatcakes

Why it works

The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese, while the sweet onion chutney creates a lovely contrast.

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DIVIN Vigneron Sparkling Chenin Blanc

Perfect for celebrations (or simply because it's Friday!)

Sparkling Chenin Blanc brings another dimension to the table.

Fine bubbles refresh the palate after every bite, making richer cheeses feel lighter and more elegant. The perfect palate cleanser for delicious cheese moments.

(Got a spare few minutes? Read our sommelier review on this amazing wine here!)

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Pairing One: Camembert

Rich, creamy and wonderfully indulgent.

Serve with:

• Camembert
• Honeycomb (or runny honey)
• Fresh grapes
• Sourdough

Why it works

The bubbles slice through the creamy texture, while the honey echoes the wine's delicate brioche and orchard fruit character.

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Pairing Two: Mature Cheddar

This is probably our biggest surprise pairing.

Forget Port for a moment.

A chilled sparkling Chenin Blanc is absolutely brilliant alongside a mature Cheddar.

Serve with:

• Mature Cheddar
• Red onion chutney
• Apple slices
• Plain crackers

Why it works

The freshness cleanses the palate between bites, allowing both the cheese and wine to shine.

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Pairing Three: Parmesan

Simple.

Unexpected.

Absolutely delicious.

Serve with:

• Parmesan chunks
• Salted almonds
• Breadsticks

Why it works

The salty intensity of Parmesan contrasts beautifully with the crisp fruit and lively bubbles of the sparkling wine.

It's one of our favourite pre-dinner combinations.

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Alex's Summer Cheeseboard

If I was putting together a cheeseboard this weekend, I wouldn't overcomplicate it.

I'd choose three cheeses: a soft goat's cheese, a ripe Brie and a mature Cheddar.

Then I'd add a bunch of green grapes, a ripe pear, some runny honey, a jar of fig chutney, a handful of walnuts, a fresh baguette and a selection of crackers.

I'd chill both bottles of Chenin Blanc.

The DIVIN Classic Chenin Blanc would be the first bottle opened while everyone settles in and starts grazing.

As the afternoon drifts into evening, I'd open the DIVIN Vigneron Sparkling Chenin Blanc.

Good wine. Good cheese. Good company (or not, and enjoy ALL to yourself...).

Honestly, it's hard to beat.

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Your Summer Shopping List

The best part?

You don't need to visit a specialist cheesemonger.

Everything below can be picked up during a normal supermarket shop.

Cheese

✓ Soft Goat's Cheese

✓ Brie

✓ Camembert

✓ Mature Cheddar

✓ Parmesan

Fruit

✓ Grapes

✓ Pears

✓ Apples

Preserves

✓ Fig chutney

✓ Caramelised onion chutney

✓ Runny honey

Bread & Crackers

✓ Fresh baguette

✓ Water crackers

✓ Oatcakes

✓ Breadsticks

Extras

✓ Walnuts

✓ Salted almonds

One Simple Hosting Tip

One of the biggest mistakes people make is serving cheese straight from the fridge.

Take your cheeses out around 30–45 minutes before serving.

As they come up to room temperature, their flavour and texture develop beautifully—and you'll enjoy both the cheese and the wine far more.

It's one of the easiest ways to elevate a cheeseboard.

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Psst...Coming This Autumn!

If you think Chenin Blanc is versatile now, just wait until this autumn.

We're incredibly excited to announce that Vino Zero will be launching the world's first 0% Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, created by our friends at DIVIN in France's Loire Valley.

Late Harvest Chenin Blanc is one of the world's great food wines, celebrated for its beautifully concentrated fruit, delicate honeyed character and vibrant acidity. Traditionally, it's enjoyed with blue cheeses, washed-rind cheeses and fruit-based desserts.

Until now, that experience simply hasn't existed in the alcohol-free world.

We genuinely believe this wine will be another milestone for premium alcohol-free wine, and we can't wait to share it with you.

Watch this space…

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Final Thoughts

One of the things we love most about Chenin Blanc is that it quietly surprises people.

It may not have the instant recognition of Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, but once you discover just how versatile it is—particularly alongside food—it quickly becomes a wine you'll return to again and again.

Whether you're planning a relaxed picnic, entertaining friends in the garden or simply enjoying a cheeseboard on a warm summer evening, Chenin Blanc deserves a place on the table.

And this autumn, its story gets even more exciting.

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Discover the Collection

Explore our award-winning DIVIN Classic Chenin Blanc and DIVIN Vigneron Sparkling Chenin Blanc, and experience for yourself why Chenin Blanc has become one of our favourite summer wine pairings.

And if you're as excited about the future of alcohol-free wine as we are, keep an eye out this autumn for the world's first 0% Late Harvest Chenin Blanc. We have a feeling it's going to be something rather special.

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