Few beverages evoke elegance and celebration quite like sparkling wines. Whether for intimate moments with loved ones or grand events and unforgettable anniversaries, sparkling wines always elevate the occasion.

For festive moments and beyond, sparkling wines are an ideal pairing for cheeses. Their acidity complements the richness of cheeses, and depending on the age and intensity of the cheese, the appropriate sparkling wine must be chosen.

Sparkling wines based on Chardonnay are always a good choice. With their versatility, Chardonnay wines can adapt to various roles, but it’s essential to consider the winemaking and aging style to balance the taste. Moreover, in Romania, more and more wineries are producing sparkling wines.

Whatever your preference for aged cheeses, Romanian wineries offer a wide variety of sparkling wines that pair excellently with them.

Brie cheeses with soft paste and white noble mold

Brie cheeses with soft paste and white noble mold pair well with sparkling wines made via the classic or Charmat method from Chardonnay. Originating in France, these delicacies are made from cow's milk, and their aging process brings subtle aromas of butter, nuts, and earthy notes.

Romanian wine recommendations:

• Blanc de Blancs, Domeniile Panciu
• Carassia Blanc de Blancs, Crama Carastelec
• Muse Stars White, Cramele Recaș
• Rhein Blanc de Blancs, Domeniile Alexandrion
• Nadir, Crama Petro Vaselo

Romanian cheese recommendation:

• Floare de Colț, cow's milk, producer: De Colțești - Torockoi.

Camembert cheeses with soft paste and white noble mold

Camembert cheeses are cherished for their soft, buttery texture and delicate white noble mold crust. Originating from Normandy, these cheeses are known for their rich taste, with complex aromas combining mushroom, cream, and subtle earthy nuances.

Romanian wine recommendations:

• Crâmpoșie Selecționată, Crama Știrbey
• Cuvee Celest, Crama Villa Vinea
• Frâncușă Millesime, Cramele Cotnari

Romanian cheese recommendations:

• Camembert, cow's milk, producer: Timian
• Camembert, cow's milk, producer: Manufactura de Brânză (seasonal)

Mozzarella or burrata

For soft, sweet, and slightly tangy cheeses like mozzarella or burrata, an ideal pairing is a sparkling wine with medium structure and persistent acidity.

Romanian wine recommendations:

• Muse Stars Rosé, Cramele Recaș
• Bendis, Crama Petro Vaselo
• Extravaganza Rosé, Domeniile Averești

Romanian Cheese Recommendation:

• Mozzarella, De la Muuunte

Semi-hard and hard cow's milk cheeses

Classic semi-hard and hard cow’s milk cheeses like Comté, Gruyère, Fontina, and Asiago are appreciated for their firm texture and intense, complex flavors. Made from cow's milk and aged with care over long periods, these cheeses develop rich aromas with notes of nuts, caramel, and dried fruits.

Romanian wine recommendations:

• Cuvee Celest, Villa Vinea
• Johanna Fetească Regală, Crama Bauer
• Crâmpoșie Selecționată, Crama Avincis
• Rosé Private Selection, Crama Liliac

Romanian cheese recommendations:

• Tekeroi, extra-aged, cow's milk, producer: Karpaten Milk
• Nature, Atelier, cow's milk, producer: Hochland
• Nature, cow's milk, producer: Manufactura de Brânză
• Tilsit, cow's milk, producer: Arkase

Truffle cheeses

For cheeses with truffles or added truffle sauces, whether soft or hard, a sparkling wine made using the classic method and aged on lees is an excellent pairing.

Romanian wine recommendations:

• Kotys Millesime, Crama Petro Vaselo
• Johanna, Crama Bauer
• Blanc de Noir Extra Brut, Crama Budureasca

Hard cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano

Exclusively produced in regions like Parma, Reggio Emilia, and Modena, Parmigiano Reggiano stands out with its firm, granular texture and intense flavors, featuring notes of nuts, butter, and slight spiciness. A light red sparkling wine from Lambrusco, or a series of white sparkling wines (brut and extra brut), pairs perfectly with this cheese.

Romanian wine recommendations:

• Carassia Blanc de Noir, Carastelec
• Novac Rosé Extra Brut, Crama Știrbey
• Kotys, Crama Petro Vaselo

And as we mentioned red sparkling wine, the only winery in Romania where you can find such a sparkling wine is Domeniile Panciu, with their Spumantul Roșu Fantasia - a curiosity that must be experienced.

Whether fresh, creamy, or aged, goat's milk cheeses develop various flavors and textures. These pair well with white or rosé sparkling wines based on Pinot Noir.

Romanian wine recommendations:

• Bendis Rosé, Crama Petro Vaselo
• Muse Stars Rosé, Cramele Recaș
• Rosé Private Selection, Crama Liliac

Goat cheese producers:

• Horezu, producer Five Continents
• Classic, producer Baier
• Classic, producer Hărman

For sheep's milk cheeses, we can enjoy Pecorino, Manchego, Ossau-Iraty, and many others. However, Romania prides itself on Horezu cheese, aged or extra-aged, where sparkling wine is essential due to the richness of sheep's milk. Thus, a classic method sparkling wine from Fetească Regală, Crâmpoșie Selecționată, or Chardonnay are excellent pairings.

Blue mold cheeses, such as Gorgonzola, Fourme d'Ambert, or Stilton

A sweet sparkling wine is the best pairing for blue mold cheeses. In Romania, a few sparkling wines with higher residual sugar can be found at Domeniile Panciu and Podgoria Silvania.

We can't conclude without mentioning that brânza de burduf pairs very well with sparkling wines, and the one produced by Zada is unmistakable.