🧂 Ingredients
- 7 oz Gruyère cheese, grated
- 5 oz Emmental or Comté cheese, grated
- 4 oz Fontina or Brie (rind removed if using Brie) cheese, chopped
- 1 cup dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc or dry Riesling)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp wine or kirsch
- 1 tbsp kirsch (cherry brandy – optional but traditional)
- freshly ground white pepper
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1 small clove of garlic, halved
- crusty baguette cubes
- sourdough
- rye
- pretzel bread
- blanched broccoli
- baby potatoes
- asparagus
- carrots
- apple slices
- pears
- grapes
- cooked sausage slices
- prosciutto rolls
📖 Instructions
🧄 Prep the pot:
Rub the inside of a heavy-bottomed saucepan or fondue pot with the halved garlic clove. Discard garlic.
🍷 Heat the wine:
Add wine and lemon juice to the pot. Heat over medium heat until just simmering — do not boil.
🧀 Add cheese gradually:
Reduce heat to low. Add cheese by the handful, stirring constantly with a figure-8 motion until each batch is melted before adding more.
🍒 Thicken and flavor: Once all cheese is melted and smooth, stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking gently for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Add kirsch (if using), a dash of white pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
🫕 Serve: Transfer to a fondue pot over a low flame to keep warm. Stir occasionally while serving.
💎 Elegant Touches:
Serve with gold-rimmed fondue forks or minimalist matte-black utensils.
Pair with a glass of the same wine used in the fondue.
Add a sprig of rosemary or a curl of lemon peel to the pot for aroma.
Use a marble or slate board to arrange dippers beautifully.
🍷 Ideal Wine Pairings
1. Dry White Wines (Classic & Harmonious)
Sauvignon Blanc – Crisp, citrusy, refreshing
Dry Riesling – Light, minerally, with balanced acidity
Chasselas (Swiss classic) – Mild, nutty, and elegant
2. Light, Low-Tannin Reds (if white’s not your thing)
Gamay (Beaujolais) – Fruity and fresh
Pinot Noir – Light, earthy, and smooth
3. Sparkling Wines (For an Elegant Touch)
Brut Champagne or Crémant de Loire
Prosecco (Dry or Extra Dry)