This easy white wine fondue is made with Swiss, gouda, and of course white wine. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, I for one can’t possibly have enough cheese in my life!
What’s in Wine Fondue?
This super easy white wine fondue is made in minutes and checks all the boxes for a simple and delicious appetizer. You just need some cheese, garlic, wine, and some seasonings, and you have one yummy treat on your hands.
- Garlic: Adds delicious garlic flavor to the dip, enhancing the cheesy flavors.
- White Wine: Helps bind the cheese sauce together, creating a smooth, creamy fondue. I used Chardonnay, but you could also use Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris.
- Cornstarch: Helps to bind the dip and thicken it.
- Cheese: Gouda and Swiss are sweet, mild, and creamy. They both melt well and have a classic fondue flavor. You can use any kinds of cheese you like, though!
- Sherry: Adds a bit of acidic flavor and helps to thin out the fondue if needed.
- Basil: Adds a sweet, pungent, and herbaceous flavor! You can use a different herb, like rosemary or thyme if you prefer.
Pro Tip: Grate your own cheese for the smoothest fondue. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in starch that can cause them to melt unevenly.
Variations on Fondue with White Wine
If gouda and Swiss aren’t your thing, you can swap them out for fontina, gruyère, comté, emmental, raclette, vacherin, or cheddar cheese. Mix multiple kinds of cheese together and play with the proportions to get the perfect mix for your tastes. Just be sure to use 16 ounces total.
I used a mix of gouda and swiss for this fondue, but you can make it with other cheeses you like. Don’t use pre-grated cheeses, as these often have a coating that can be harder to melt. Either grate by hand or cut the cheese into small cubes.
Wine contains natural tartaric acid, which prevents the cheese proteins from clumping together and breaking the sauce. It also adds delicious flavor. This is one recipe where I don’t recommend leaving out the wine.
The best white wines for fondue are Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, or un-oaked Chardonnay. I chose chardonnay, but use whichever you have on hand.
Most of the alcohol from the wine will have cooked out by the time the fondue is ready. If you’re worried about it, you can try using a non-alcoholic wine or a light beer.
USDA guidelines dictate that any dish containing alcohol should be simmered for at least 2½ hours to remove all of the alcohol. I do not recommend feeding this fondue to children.
No, but I highly recommend it. Cornstarch helps to further stabilize the cheese and thickens the fondue as it cooks. Without it, your fondue may turn out runny.
Over-stirring the cheese mixture could allow the proteins to bond and create a stringy or clumpy texture, so take care not to stir for too long once everything has come together.
This white wine fondue needs to be served straight away so that the cheese is gooey and dippable. You can keep it warm for a little while, but on a low heat so that the cheese doesn’t burn. Whenever possible, make it as close to serving as you can.
How to Store and Reheat White Wine Fondue Cheese
Store leftover white wine fondue in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
How to Freeze Gouda Swiss Fondue
To freeze white wine fondue, let cool to room temperature or chill in the refrigerator until hard. Once hard, cut into chunks and place in an airtight container or Ziplock bag to freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with Easy Cheese Fondue with Wine
The hardest part when making this easy white wine fondue is deciding what to use as dippers. There are so many delicious options. I chose to dip crostini and celery sticks, but you could use any number of things, from cubed bread to apples, veggies, or even chips. For a full meal, I like to dip poached chicken, grilled steak, or air fryer shrimp.
White Wine Fondue Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup white wine (I used Chardonnay)
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 12 ounces shredded or cubed gouda cheese
- 4 ounces shredded or cubed Swiss cheese
- 1 tablespoon dry cooking Sherry
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, sauté the garlic over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, about 2 minutes.2 cloves garlic
- Add the white wine and stir to combine.1 cup white wine
- Add in the cornstarch, both cheeses, cooking Sherry, and salt and pepper. Use a whisk to stir and combine fully as the cheese melts. Stir continuously to make sure you don't burn the cheese.¼ cup cornstarch, 12 ounces shredded or cubed gouda cheese, 4 ounces shredded or cubed Swiss cheese, 1 tablespoon dry cooking Sherry, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Stir in the basil. If the fondue is too thick, add a bit more wine. If too thin, add a bit more cheese.2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
- Remove from heat and serve immediately. Use crostini, bread cubes, apples, veggies, or chips as dippers.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Use a whisk to mix the ingredients together. It will combine more easily than if using a spoon.
- Don’t have the pot on too high of a heat or the cheese at the bottom can burn. Keep stirring so that it doesn’t catch.
- Once the cheese has all melted, you can add in more wine or more cheese to make it your preferred consistency.
Nutrition Information
what kind of bread is that? it looks amazing!
All the cheese! We have fondue on NYE as well – love these photos, Bec!
Thanks Melanie!!! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
I pretty much want to hop in the car, hightail it to the grocery store and buy all the ingredients to make this…now. There is just nothing better in this world, than gooey, melted, liquid cheese…
Thanks Nicole!!!
Fondue is one of my favorite things in all the world. I’m literally drooling at your tempting photos!
Thanks Renee!
I need this recipe in my life! Cheese and white wine…what could be better?! Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks Michelle! So sweet of you to stop by. Hope you’re doing well!
Gah this fondue looks incredible. Cheese … wine … I mean what more could you ask for???
Thanks Ashley!!! Merry Christmas!
Fondue was THE dining treat a few years ago, fondue parties were the rage!! Down town Pensacola was home to the Melting Pot restaurant which was strictly fondue. Our good friends went with and we had so much fun!! It was a dining experience, our server explained each step of melting the cheese and the “secrets” that made it so wonderful. A pinch of cayenne creeps in the white cheese or, a grate or two of fresh nutmeg.( and white wine) fresh sliced ‘rooms, bread cubes,apples and parboiled cubed small potatoes were perfect. Dessert was pure heaven!! A blend of milk, semi-sweet and a bit of bittersweet chocolate with just the perfect amount of Grand Marnier!! Fresh orange slices, Angel food cake and chunks of bananas. I wanted to drink the chocolate!! You should have a New Year’s fondue party to re-introduce fondue to the blog world!!
I LOVE these tips! That is awesome. The Melting Pot is one of my favorite restaurants and I don’t go enough. Thanks SO much for stopping by and for the fun comment!
Wine and cheese is the perfect combo, and always will be. What a great fondue. And gorgeous pictures!
Thanks Erin!! Miss you girl!
You had me at cheese and then REAAAALLY had me at wine! I’ll have to make this for our Christmas party!
HA! I like the way you think! Thanks Lydia :)
I just want to tip that bowl straight into my trap and drink it UP! Sounds so, sooo good!
Thanks Kate!