The 7 Best Cheese And Wine Pairings From Trader Joe’s, According To A Sommelier

co-founder Samantha Capaldi. Capaldi has a delicious repertoire of TJ’s-inspired pairings up her sleeve, and she shared seven cheese-and-wine combinations to try during the holiday season.

Coastal Cheddar Cheese with Truffle + King Estate Inscription Pinot Noir

Capaldi calls this cheese-and-wine pairing “a meet-cute of earthy (and) earthy!” According to the sommelier, the savory and umami notes of the Oregon Pinot Noir complement the earthy, aromatic character of the truffles in the English cheddar.

“When flavors echo each other, the pairing feels seamless and elevated,” she explains. The Coastal Cheddar Cheese with Truffle and King Estate Inscription Pinot Noir are “that effortlessly cool couple who smell a little like the woods and always bring the best snacks.”

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio + La Burgondie Crémant de Bourgogne

Imported from Parma, Italy, this D.O.P.-certified Stravecchio Parmigiano Reggiano has been aged for 36 months, resulting in an even intense and complex flavor. When paired with The Burgundy Burgundy Burgundy“They make that magical ‘ahhhh’ moment like squeezing lemon on fried food,” Capaldi details.

The salty, nutty Parmigiano is packed with umami, while the Crémant adds crisp, slightly fruity elements to the table. The wine expert promises you’ll love this pairing and suggests stocking multiple bottles and wedges of both products.

Caramelized Onion Goat’s Milk Cheese + Vignobles Lacheteau Sauvignon Blanc

Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Goat’s Milk Cheese is flavored with brown sugar, toasted minced onion, and onion powder, yielding a sweet, aromatic profile that pairs perfectly with Sauvignon Blanc. Capaldi explains that this combination tastes great together “because sweet, tangy, and zippy are a love triangle that actually works.”

She underscores that this Sauvignon Blanc from TJ’s is known for its herbal notes, such as basil and thyme, which balance the rich cheese well. “Goat cheese can cling to your mouth, and (Sauvignon Blanc’s) crisp acidity comes in and cleanses your palate.”

Double Cream Brie + Sainte-Celine Chablis

Capaldi describes a Double Cream Brie and Chablis pairing as “the rom-com couple who shouldn’t work on paper but absolutely do.” The Brie is soft, ripe, and creamy, while Chablis delivers what Capaldi calls seashell vibes “in the best possible way.”

The minerality and saline notes in the Chablis heighten the Brie’s buttery richness — plus, Brie is always a favorite at any party. “It’s like adding a pinch of sea salt to good butter, AKA instant magic,” Capaldi emphasizes.

Cheddar Cheese with Scotch Bonnet Chili Peppers + Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé

Trader Joe’s Cheddar Cheese with Scotch Bonnet Chili Peppers features a spicy Scotch bonnet chili relish, red bell peppers, lemon juice, and garlic, packing heat and punchy flavor in every bite. Capaldi explains that a cooling glass of Tavel Rosé tempers the cheese’s fiery kick, while the cheddar brings out the wine’s fruity aromas.

The sommelier also notes that Tavel Rosé is robust than a typical rosé, telling Food & Wine, “I often call it ‘the rosé for red wine lovers,’ which is an added bonus this holiday season, since a lot of times we crave red wines in the cooler months!”

Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese + Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier

Produced by a supplier in Southern Italy, the subtly sweet, zesty Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese is infused with lemon paste for flavor and colored with a touch of turmeric. The sommelier suggests spreading the fan-favorite cheese on graham crackers while sipping Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier “for the most elite cheese and wine pairing you’ll enjoy this holiday season!” (She also declares that this is one of her favorite white wines from Trader Joe’s for the holidays.)

Both the lemony ricotta and the wine lean toward the sweeter side, and the Chenin Blanc’s bright acidity cuts through the creamy cheese while echoing its “lemony freshness,” Capaldi notes. “The Viognier’s stone-fruit aromatics round out the (cheese’s) tartness, keeping the pairing balanced rather than overly sweet.”

Holiday Cheer Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread + Ruggero di Bardo Susumaniello

The Holiday Cheer Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread is a festive riff on the regular Unexpected Cheddar, one of Trader Joe’s most popular cheeses. This spreadable rendition features dried cranberries, sea salt, cinnamon, and a splash of Riesling for a touch of vibrant fruitiness.

But Capaldi isn’t pairing this savory snack with a bottle of Riesling. Instead, she says, “Susumaniello and the (cheddar spread) are like pizza at 2 a.m. after a long day — rich, a little wild, full‑bodied, and somehow perfect together. It’s that classic acid/fat (or tannin/fat) balancing trick.”

She finds that the wine’s soft tannins “lift the weight of the cheddar’s fat,” while the cheese, in turn, helps balance those tannins. If you’re searching for “the ultimate couch-crusher pairing,” the wine expert says this is it. So make sure to grab this duo before the seasonal cheese spread disappears from shelves.