What wine should you serve with raclette? Our advice
Raclette evenings are one of those convivial moments that we eagerly await as soon as the first cold spells appear.
But every time, it's the same: you hesitate over which wines will accompany this dish which lasts at least 2 hours, during a convivial evening.
So, how do you transform your next raclette evening into a veritable festival of hand-picked wines?
That's exactly what we're going to look at together.
Why vary the wines throughout the evening?
Our palate is not designed to repeat the same experience for three hours .
After a few glasses of the same wine, your taste buds get used to the aromas and structure.
The wine seems flatter and less expressive to you.
This phenomenon has a name: sensory habituation.
Your taste receptors stop reacting as intensely to the same repeated stimuli.
Imagine listening to the same song on repeat all evening: even your favorite song would become unbearable.
Varying the wines helps to maintain taste interest and regularly revive the pleasure of tasting .
The natural evolution of a raclette evening
A raclette evening always follows the same pattern: at the beginning, the appetite is keen and energy is at its maximum.
You attack with enthusiasm, quickly eating slices of cheese.
Then gradually, satiety sets in and the pace slows down.
Your eating habits are changing, why should your wine stay the same?
Adapting your selection to these different phases creates a perfect harmony between what you feel and what you drink.
An optimized budget for variety
Serving a single large bottle all evening represents a significant investment and offers fewer choices to your guests.
And what's more, with a progression of three different wines, you can adjust your budget intelligently .
An affordable opening wine, a more qualitative mid-evening, and a finale with a beautiful discovery.
That being said, let's see how to concretely structure this progression for your next party.
The opening phase: awaken the taste buds (0-1 hour)
The first few sips should prepare your palate to receive the richness of the melted cheese .
You need freshness, vibrancy, an acidity that awakens the senses.
This opening phase cleanses the mouth and stimulates the appetite.
Avoid overly complex or structured wines at this stage.
Your guests are just starting to settle in, the atmosphere is gradually building.
The wine should complement this appetizer without monopolizing attention.
The perfect wine styles to start with
A light and sparkling Jacquère from Savoy is the ideal opening wine .*
Its lemony vivacity, its thirst-quenching lightness and its almost ethereal quality perfectly prepare the ground.
The Apremont or Abymes appellations offer this crystalline freshness that awakens without being aggressive.
Another brilliant option: an Alsatian Pinot Blanc for its approachable roundness .
Less assertive than a Riesling, it immediately appeals to all palates.
Its delicate fruitiness of apple and pear creates a convivial introduction.
For red wine lovers: a chilled Beaujolais-Villages works wonders .
Served at around 12-13°C, its bright fruitiness and thirst-quenching lightness provide a pleasant refreshment.
Whatever your choice, serve these opening wines well chilled, between 8 and 10°C for whites .
This freshness accentuates their thirst-quenching and energizing qualities.
Consider even keeping a bottle of Jacquère chilled as a "buffer wine" if needed.
The heart of the evening: structure and enhance (1-2.5 hours)
This is the moment when melted cheese reigns supreme on your plates .
The fat accumulates in the mouth, the richness becomes almost sickening.
Your taste buds need a wine with more character, more presence.
The acidity persists, but it must now be accompanied by structure.
Consider a wine that can cut through the richness while also providing aromatic complexity.
Have you ever felt that heaviness settling in after an hour of raclette with the same wine?
That's exactly what we're trying to avoid here.
Structured white wines for this build-up
The Roussette de Savoie perfectly embodies this intermediate phase .
Although richer in texture than a Jacquère, it still possesses the acidity necessary to cleanse the palate.
Its aromas of almond and white-fleshed fruit add a welcome aromatic dimension.
The final minerality is refreshing without being overpowering, even after several slices of cheese.
Chignin-Bergeron represents an excellent, more generous alternative .
Made from Roussanne grapes, this wine develops notes of apricot and honey.
Its fuller texture stands up to well-aged cheeses.
The aging process, sometimes in barrels, adds an extra layer of complexity that enriches the experience.
On the Burgundy side, a slightly aged Saint-Véran or Mâcon-Villages works wonders .
The Burgundian Chardonnay brings that buttery roundness which complements the melted cheese.
Its moderate acidity and supple texture create a delicious harmony.
The red option to diversify the pleasures
A well-made Morgon or Fleurie can take over at this stage .
The Beaujolais wines offer enough structure for this intense phase.
Their supple tannins, generous fruitiness and lively acidity perfectly balance the richness.
We particularly enjoy serving a red wine at this time to break the monotony.
The change in color visually awakens the attention of the guests.
This chromatic break also psychologically revives the pleasure of tasting .
Alternatively, a Pinot Noir from the Jura region brings an interesting forest touch .
Its notes of undergrowth, sweet spices and black cherry create a striking contrast with the cheese.
The final phase: refinement and digestion (2h30-end)
Adjust the wine according to increasing satiety
After two hours of melted cheese, your taste buds and your stomach are begging for mercy .
The accumulated wealth is a burden; the effects of digestion are beginning to be felt.
Continuing with a structured wine at this stage becomes counterproductive.
You need freshness and vitality again.
The wine served at the end of the evening should refresh, revive, or even cleanse the palate.
A return to freshness with character
A dry Riesling from Alsace is our preferred choice for this final .
Its sharp acidity, chiseled minerality and citrus aromas awaken tired taste buds.
Each sip intensely cleanses the mouth and revitalizes the tasting experience.
Riesling also possesses this assertive personality which maintains the interest in taste.
Even when tired, your palate perceives its aromatic complexity and its straightforwardness.
An Arvine from Savoie offers a rare and elegant alternative .
Its characteristic salinity, lively acidity and lemony aromas create a memorable finish.
This little-known grape variety brings that touch of discovery that leaves a lasting impression.
The bubble option for the daring
A Crémant de Savoie or a Crémant du Jura brings that refreshing effervescence and will recalibrate your palate.
The acidity of the base wine, amplified by the carbon dioxide, cuts through the fat instantly.
This option always pleasantly surprises those who dare to try it.
The festive aspect of the bubbles also revives the atmosphere when the energy starts to drop.
Our three ready-made scenarios to ensure your evening is a success
Scenario 1: Savoyard authenticity (moderate budget)
Opening: Apremont (Jacquère de Savoie) - €10-15
This light and sparkling wine is the perfect way to kick off the festivities.
Its lemony freshness prepares the palate without tiring it.
Evening highlight: Chignin-Bergeron - €15-20
The Savoyard Roussanne breed brings structure and complexity.
Its apricot notes pair beautifully with the aged cheese.
Final: Roussette de Savoie - €12-18
A return to freshness with the nobility of Highness.
This Savoyard loop creates a valuable regional coherence.
Total budget: approximately €40-50 for an evening for 4 people (including appropriate quantities).
Scenario 2: Oenological diversity (mid-range budget)
Opening: Pinot Blanc from Alsace - €10-14
Its accessible roundness wins everyone over from the start.
The delicate fruitiness accompanies the first bites without dominating them.
Evening centerpiece: Morgon (Beaujolais) - €15-20
The change to red is surprising and reawakens attention.
The fruity and structured Gamay perfectly balances the richness.
Finale: Dry Riesling from Alsace - €15-22
The purity of Alsace cleanses and refreshes saturated taste buds.
Its bright acidity gives you a boost of energy at the end of the evening.
Total budget: approximately €45-60 for 4 people with three radically different styles.
Scenario 3: Wine-loving excellence (comfortable budget)
Opening: Chardonnay from the Jura - €15-20
The cool Jura forest subtly prepares the ground.
Its pronounced mineral character promises a quality evening.
Evening centerpiece: Pouilly-Fuissé - €25-35
The prestige of Burgundy enhances the heart of your raclette.
Its concentration and length complement fine cheeses.
Final: Petite Arvine de Savoie - €20-30
Alpine rarity for a memorable conclusion.
Its unique salinity leaves a lasting impression and provides an elegant conclusion.
Total budget: approximately €70-90 for 4 people with a progressive increase in quality.
We offer these three routes at La Cave du Canal with adjustments according to your preferences.
Each scenario can be adapted to suit your budget and the number of guests.
And if you could only choose one wine for raclette?
So we'll go with a dry white wine, any kind will do, as long as it's approved by your favorite wine merchant (or your knowledgeable friend).
Our support at La Cave du Canal
We love creating these custom progressions for you.
Our knowledge of the fields allows us to refine recommendations beyond the appellations.
Some winemakers produce wines that are particularly suited to this exercise.
We regularly organize pre-winter preparation evenings .
These sessions allow you to experience several possible progressions.
You leave with your personalized selection and the confidence to serve it.
Come see us at 231 Rue La Fayette in the 10th arrondissement.
We will take the time to discuss the best pairings for your raclette.
You can also discover our current favorites on our shop .
In the meantime, enjoy your meal and have a wonderful raclette evening everyone!
