, then select "Add to Home Screen" to get instant access.
Log In
Explore
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Free Tools
Brie Cheese vs Fontina Cheese
Brie Cheese
Fontina Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brie Cheese and Fontina Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Brie Cheese and Fontina Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese and Fontina Cheese the same?"
- "How does Brie Cheese compare to Fontina Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Brie Cheese compare to Fontina Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese or Fontina Cheese better?"
Brie Cheese Overview
Brie is a soft cheese named after the French region from which it originated. It’s famous for its creamy interior and edible white rind. Brie has a rich, buttery flavor with hints of mushrooms and almonds. It’s often served at room temperature on cheese platters or used in cooking for its ability to add depth and creaminess to recipes.
Fontina Cheese Overview
Fontina is a classic Italian cheese from the Aosta Valley, with a dense, smooth texture and a nutty, earthy flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic feel. Fontina is excellent for melting and is often used in dishes like risotto, fonduta, and as a table cheese.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Brie Cheese comes from France. Fontina Cheese originated from Italy.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Brie is not a protected cheese. Fontina Cheese has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Brie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Fontina Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Brie's texture can be described as "soft". Fontina Cheese has a fat content of ~30-45% and a moisture content of none. Fontina's texture can be described as "semi-soft".
Taste and Aroma
Brie Cheese has a nutty, mushroom taste. Fontina Cheese has a mild, buttery, nutty taste. Fontina's aroma can be described as "mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions)".
Appearance and Aging
Brie Cheese's appearance is colored white . Fontina Cheese has a color of pale yellow to golden , comes in wheel, block, sliced, shredded and has an aging period of typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) .
Rind and Rennet Type
Brie Cheese's rind is described as bloomy and uses animal rennet. Fontina Cheese's rind is described as natural, often washed , with traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet.
Ranking
Brie is ranked #6 out of 996 types based on community views. Fontina is ranked #66 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Brie | Fontina | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Asti Spumante, Beaujolais, Belgian Blonde, Bresaola, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Dried Cranberries, Dried Fruit, Fig Jam, Fruit Compote, Gamay, Ginger, Grapes, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, Kombucha, Mangoes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Pear, Pecans, Pistachios, Port, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Turkey, Viognier, White Burgundy | Chardonnay |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Dijon Mustard, Dried Figs, German Riesling, Green Apple, Green Tea, GrĂĽner Veltliner, Ham, Kiwi, Muscat, Prosciutto, Pumpkin, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Scotch, Sweet Potato | Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Brie and Fontina pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Brie Cheese | Fontina Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Not Specified |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) |
| Fat Content | Not Specified | ~30-45% |
| Moisture Content | Not Specified | ~45-50% |
| Rind | Bloomy | Natural, Often Washed |
| Texture | Soft | Semi-Soft |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Mild, Buttery, Nutty |
| Aroma | Not Specified | Mild to Pungent (earthier in aged versions) |
| Colors | White | Pale Yellow to Golden |
| Forms | Not Specified | Wheel, Block, Sliced, Shredded |
| Age | Not Specified | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) |
| Rennet Type | Animal | Traditional (Animal) or Microbial (varies by producer) |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft cheese, go for Brie. But if you enjoy a semi-soft consistency, Fontina might be the better pick. Brie has a nutty, mushroom taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Fontina offers a mild, buttery, nutty profile, ideal for different meals.
