Advent is traditionally a time of waiting, though in modern life it tends to resemble a small race. Cakes to bake, gifts to buy, lists to complete. Suddenly December feels more like a spreadsheet than a gentle path toward Christmas peace. Which is precisely why it’s so important to pause. And what better way to do that than with cheese? A quiet moment by the glow of an Advent candle, a glass of wine, and the comforting thought that the taste of Christmas doesn’t have to be gingerbread and mulled wine alone.
For many, Advent marks the start of a richer and more generous kitchen. Pots return to the stove, roasts are “tested” just to be sure, and the cheese counters fill with everything from mature French classics to local Scandinavian specialties. Cheese fits beautifully into the rhythm of Advent—simple, spontaneous, and capable of turning even a brief pause into a small celebration.
Here are some cheeses that truly shine during the weeks leading up to Christmas—and the wines that lift them even further.
Advent Is About Maturation – in Cheese and in Us
Some cheeses become great with time. In Advent, perhaps we do too. Soft, ripe, sometimes pungent cheeses feel particularly appropriate in December. They require very little—just room temperature and a willingness to settle into the moment.
Époisses – A Little Fireball for Winter
Époisses may not be the first cheese people imagine when the snow is falling quietly outside, but its warm, salty, almost caramel-like aroma is surprisingly perfect for December. Rich, creamy, with that unmistakable washed-rind farmhouse scent, it creates instant atmosphere.
Wine: Burgundy is the classic match—especially a white with a bit of age, softened edges and quiet depth. A mature Beaujolais Villages also works beautifully, adding a gentler, fruit-led touch.
Blue Cheeses for Dark Evenings
As December days grow shorter and the afternoons fall into night, blue cheese steps forward. Perhaps it’s the contrast—the piquant sharpness against the sweetness surrounding us at this time of year.
Roquefort – The Salt Snow of the Cheese World
Roquefort in Advent is like tasting winter air itself. Crystalline, salty, and deeply savoury, with a pastoral softness from the sheep’s milk that feels particularly right in midwinter.
Wine: Sauternes is the classic choice—and one of those Christmas clichés worth embracing. A Southern French muscat, such as Muscat de Frontignan, is a lovely, slightly lighter option.
Norwegian Blue Cheeses – A Quiet, Home-Spun Alternative
Norwegian blue cheeses often lean creamier, milder and rounder. They offer a softer entry into the blue world, balancing salt, dairy sweetness and nuttiness.
Wine: A Riesling Kabinett is perfect. Its fruit, sweetness and bright acidity bring lift and harmony.
Washed-Rind Comfort – The Aroma of Barn and Winter Forest
Washed-rind cheeses take on a special role in Advent. Perhaps because their rustic, earthy personality carries a sense of something honest and grounding—almost like comfort food in cheese form.
Munster – The Mountain Cabin Cheese
Munster in December feels like stepping into a warm Alpine cabin. Its aroma—barnyard, cellar, grass—may be bold, but the flavour is gentler and surprisingly milky.
Wine: Gewürztraminer is the local and traditional match, and a beautiful one. Sylvaner is a cleaner, fresher alternative.
Livarot – A Spicy Colonel with Seasonal Appeal
Livarot is not shy. Rich, creamy, with warm, pepper-like intensity, it has a festive boldness that suits Advent when kitchens are already full of aroma and heat.
Wine: Dry French cider from Normandy is a brilliant match. Fresh, tannic, and gently rustic.
Goat Cheese in Advent – Lightness When Everything Else Feels Heavy
Between roast dinners, Christmas cookies and full-bodied reds, it can be refreshing to bring in a cheese with lift and clarity. Mature goat cheeses often do just that.
Crottin, Sainte-Maure and Friends
These Loire-style goat cheeses balance citrus, minerals and gentle creaminess. They’re ideal for Advent lunches—just add rustic bread, honey and walnuts.
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé is perfect. For a New-World take, try a South African Sauvignon Blanc from Elgin or Elim.
Norwegian Traditional Cheeses That Taste Like Winter
Norway offers several traditional cheeses that suit the darker, quieter weeks before Christmas remarkably well.
Gammalost – The Archaic Taste of the Nordic Winter
Gammalost isn’t a cosy Advent cheese, but it carries history, depth and a certain seriousness. Intense, dry, almost meaty, with flavours of whole grains, old bread crust and barn.
Drink pairing: Beer works better than wine—dark porter or a Christmas ale with restrained sweetness is superb. If wine is preferred, try a dry Madeira or an oxidative white from the Jura.
Pultost – Sharp, Tangy and Very Norwegian
Pultost is like a bright spark in the dark month—acidic, flavourful and perfect on warm bread or crisp flatbread with good butter.
Drink pairing: Fresh lager or saison works wonderfully. A dry, high-acid Riesling is the best wine choice.
A Little Christmas Without Overdoing It
Advent is the chance to taste a little of Christmas without fully stepping into it. Cheese and wine do exactly that. Keep it simple—a few pieces of bread, some good butter, three or four cheeses and a warming glass of wine. A touch of continental pleasure slipped into a Nordic December.
Perhaps that is what Advent is really for: reminding us that good things need not be grand. That flavour can be a pause. That a slice of cheese can be a way to breathe. That a glass of wine can be a brief escape from the rush.
And when Christmas finally arrives, you’ll be ready—not drained, not overstimulated, but gently attuned. You’ve tasted your way through the waiting. You’ve allowed yourself small pleasures. You’ve given Advent its rightful place.