Andy Montoya
Wine and cheese parties are a great way to bring people together and create a memorable experience. When planning such an event, it's essential to consider the wine and cheese selection, presentation, and accompanying food items. A successful party offers a variety of wines and cheeses, ranging from mild to strong, with careful thought given to flavour pairings and regional matches. Guests can bring their favourite wines and cheeses, while the host can provide a selection of crackers, nuts, fruits, charcuterie, and other tasty accompaniments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | 10-12 |
| Budget | $50-$100 |
| Amount of cheese | 250g per person |
| Cheese categories | Mild, medium, strong |
| Cheese types | Soft rind, blue, alpine, cheddar, manchego, truffle, chives, mustard, gjetost |
| Cheese accompaniments | Honey, ground coffee, pepper jelly, spicy fruit gel, grapes, apples, pickled things, pears |
| Other food | Crackers, nuts, fruit, meats, charcuterie, bread, chocolate fondue, strawberries with red wine sauce |
| Drinks | Wine, mineral water, non-alcoholic beverages |
| Glassware | Bordeaux, Burgundy, nice glass for everything |
| Decor | Vintage bread boards, string lights, flowers, candles, lanterns |
| Clean-up | Brown parchment paper |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing your cheeses: Aim for a variety of mild, medium, and strong cheeses
- Pairing wines and cheeses: Choose wines and cheeses from the same region
- Preparing your cheeses: Allow cheese to come to room temperature before serving
- Accompaniments: Offer fruits, nuts, cured meats, and condiments like honey
- Dessert: Try grilled fruit with chocolate sauce, or strawberries with red wine sauce
Choosing your cheeses: Aim for a variety of mild, medium, and strong cheeses
When it comes to choosing your cheeses, it's a good idea to select a variety of mild, medium, and strong cheeses to cater to different tastes and preferences. This will also allow your guests to explore different flavour profiles and find their favourites. As a rule of thumb, aim for at least two cheeses from each category.
For mild cheeses, consider options such as fresh cheeses like bocconcini, which should be served chilled. Soft rind cheeses also fall into this category and can add a nice contrast. Remember to remove these cheeses from the fridge about 45 minutes before serving to bring them to room temperature.
Medium cheeses can include chevre, a type of goat cheese that pairs well with pepper jelly or a spicy fruit gel. Blue cheeses, such as Bleu or Gorgonzola, also fall into this category and can be complemented by sweet accompaniments like honey or ground coffee for dipping.
In the strong cheese category, you can't go wrong with a cave-aged Gruyere, which pairs beautifully with grapes or apples. An aged cheddar is another excellent option in this category. If you're feeling adventurous, try a cheese with unique additions like truffle, chives, or mustard.
When arranging your cheese selection, be mindful to keep the cheeses separate to avoid mixing flavours. Leave some space between them and provide a different knife for each cheese. This will enhance the tasting experience for your guests and ensure that each cheese is enjoyed to its fullest potential.
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Pairing wines and cheeses: Choose wines and cheeses from the same region
When it comes to hosting a wine and cheese party, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is essential to have a variety of cheeses to cater to different tastes and preferences. A good rule of thumb is to offer at least two cheeses from each of the three categories: mild, medium, and strong. This ensures that your guests can explore different flavours and find their favourites.
Now, let's delve into the heart of the matter: pairing wines and cheeses from the same region. This approach, often referred to as "going regional", is a time-honoured tradition that promises a harmonious tasting experience. Here are some tips to guide you through this culinary journey:
- The French Connection: France is renowned for its diverse wine and cheese offerings. Opting for pairings like a Bordeaux wine with a creamy Camembert or a crisp Alsace wine with a nutty Comté cheese can be a delightful choice.
- Italian Indulgence: Italy boasts an array of flavourful options. Consider matching a full-bodied Tuscan red like Chianti with a mature pecorino, or a sparkling Prosecco with a creamy Gorgonzola for a delightful contrast of textures and flavours.
- Spanish Sensations: Spain offers a range of possibilities, such as pairing a crisp Cava with a mild Manchego or a robust Rioja with a sharp sheep's milk cheese like Idiazabal.
- New World Exploration: For a modern twist, explore pairings from emerging wine regions. For instance, match an Australian Shiraz with a mature cheddar or a New World Pinot Noir with a soft, creamy Brie for a delightful fusion of flavours.
When pairing wines and cheeses from the same region, consider the intensity and characteristics unique to that area. Remember, the key is to find a balance between the weight and flavour profiles of the wine and cheese. By embracing this approach, you'll create a tasting journey that showcases the best of what each region has to offer.
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Preparing your cheeses: Allow cheese to come to room temperature before serving
Preparing your cheeses is an important step in hosting a wine and cheese party. About 45 minutes before you plan to serve the cheese, remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Cover the cheese plate with plastic wrap or a moist tea towel to prevent the cheese from drying out or absorbing other aromas. This step is crucial, as it enhances the flavour and texture of the cheese. However, fresh cheeses like Bocconcini should be kept refrigerated until just before serving.
When selecting cheeses for your party, it's essential to offer a variety of options to cater to different tastes. Aim to provide at least two cheeses from each of the three categories: mild, medium, and strong. This ensures that your guests can explore different flavours and find their preferred combinations. It's also a good idea to choose cheeses from the same region as the wine you'll be serving. For example, Rioja and Manchego from Spain pair perfectly together.
To enhance the presentation of your cheese platter, use vintage breadboards or scatter smaller charcuterie platters around the table. This allows each guest easy access to the cheese without passing plates back and forth. Place the cheeses carefully so they don't touch, as you don't want the flavours to mix. Garnish the platter with fresh herbs, and provide a different knife for each cheese. You can also serve condiments like honey, ground coffee, pepper jelly, or spicy fruit gel to complement the cheeses.
In addition to cheese, offer your guests a selection of accompaniments such as crackers, nuts, fruits, and meats. When choosing nuts, opt for varieties like walnuts or pistachios, which complement cheeses without overpowering their flavour. Fruits, such as grapes or apples, can help cleanse the palate, making it easier to taste different cheeses. Meats such as prosciutto or cured sausages add a savoury element to the platter. Don't forget to provide plates, forks, napkins, and glasses for the wine!
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Accompaniments: Offer fruits, nuts, cured meats, and condiments like honey
When it comes to wine and cheese, accompaniments are key. The right fruits, nuts, cured meats, and condiments can elevate your tasting experience, creating a delightful contrast or complement to the cheeses and wines on offer.
Let's start with nuts, a natural ally of cheese. Pecans, with their natural sweetness and rich, buttery flavour, are a perfect match for the saltiness of cheese. The crunch of pecans also provides a delightful textural contrast to the smoothness of cheeses like Gouda. Other nuts that pair well with cheese include walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts. Toasting the nuts can intensify the pairing, while also adding a crunchy texture that contrasts with the creamy notes of the cheese.
Fruits are another essential accompaniment, offering a sweet and tangy contrast to the savoury notes of cheese and the complex flavours of wine. Try pairing blue cheeses like Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton with sweet, fruity wines like Sherry, Riesling, or Port. The saltiness of the cheese will be balanced by the sweetness of the wine, while the fruit aromas of sparkling and light-bodied white wines like Prosecco will be enhanced by the salty, savoury flavours of cheese. For a refreshing combination, serve watermelon with a chilled Rosé, which enhances the fruit's natural sweetness. If you're feeling adventurous, try pairing cherries with Syrah, as the ripe, dark fruit in the wine echoes the sweet-tart flavours of cherries.
Cured meats are a must-have at any wine and cheese party, providing a savoury, salty contrast to the other elements on the platter. When selecting meats, consider their flavour intensity and how they will pair with your chosen wines. Mild charcuterie options like prosciutto, mortadella, dry-cured salami, summer sausage, or chicken liver mousse pair well with sparkling wine, light-bodied or aromatic white wines, Rosé, and light or medium-bodied reds. Rich, cured meats like salami and sausage can also counterbalance the tannins in bold wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Finally, don't forget the condiments! Honey, for example, pairs beautifully with blue cheeses like Bleu/Gorgonzola, enhancing their salty, pungent flavours. You can also offer condiments like pepper jelly, spicy fruit gel, or ground coffee for an unexpected twist.
With these accompaniments, your wine and cheese party is sure to be a gastronomic delight!
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Dessert: Try grilled fruit with chocolate sauce, or strawberries with red wine sauce
When it comes to dessert at a wine and cheese party, grilled fruit with chocolate sauce or strawberries with red wine sauce are excellent options.
For the grilled fruit, you can caramelize and slightly sweeten slices of fruit on a grill and then drizzle melted chocolate sauce and nuts on top. Alternatively, you can serve the grilled fruit as-is, allowing your guests to savour the natural sweetness of the fruit. This technique of grilling fruit enhances its flavour and creates a unique dessert option.
If you prefer a more indulgent dessert, chocolate fondue with fruit and brioche for dipping is a delightful choice. The sweetness of the chocolate pairs beautifully with the fruit, and the brioche adds a satisfying textural contrast.
Another option is to prepare a wine-based dessert, such as strawberries with red wine sauce. This dessert harmoniously combines the sweetness of strawberries with the rich flavour of red wine, creating a sophisticated and elegant treat. The recipe for this dessert can be found on Food Network, and it is sure to impress your guests with its unique blend of flavours.
In addition to these suggestions, you can also offer a variety of fresh, seasonal fruits. Fruits such as grapes, bananas, and berries can be served whole or sliced, providing a refreshing and healthy option for your guests. Remember to ensure that the fruits are ripe and in peak condition, avoiding any that are past their prime.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to have at least two cheeses from each of the three categories: mild, medium, and strong. Fruits, nuts, crackers, cured meats, and olives are also good pairings with wine and cheese.
A good rule of thumb is to have one bottle of wine per two non-drivers. For cheese, allow for about 250 grams of cheese per person.
Wines and cheeses from the same region often pair well together, such as Rioja and Manchego from Spain. Bubbles also pair well with everything, for example, Prosecco goes nicely with salty aged cheeses like Parmesan and Pecorino.
