Patrick Oconnell
Wine and cheese parties are a great way to bring people together to socialise and try new wines and cheeses. It can be hard to know what types of wine and cheese to serve, especially if you don't know much about them. If you're hosting, it's a good idea to provide a variety of wines and cheeses with different flavours, textures and colours so that there's something for everyone. You could also provide some crackers, cured meats, fruits and sweet treats like chocolate or cake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of glasses per person | Two glasses per person is a good rule of thumb for a wine and cheese social. |
| Type of wine | Red, white, rosé, port, mead, sparkling, sweet, bold, earthy, natural, fragrant, light, full-bodied, etc. |
| Type of cheese | Soft, firm, hard, medium, creamy, peppery, funky, earthy, nutty, goat, gorgonzola, cheddar, brie, etc. |
| Sides | Crackers, bread, cured meats, olives, antipasti, fruits, nuts, mustard, pickles, jam, chocolate, sweet treats, etc. |
| Other | Flowers, hand sanitizer, disposable plates and cups, masks, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right crackers
When it comes to choosing the right crackers for a wine and cheese social, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, crackers should be crunchy, providing a nice textural contrast to the softness of the cheese. However, avoid crackers that are too hard, as they can be unpleasant to bite into. The perfect cracker should also have a subtle saltiness that enhances the flavour of the cheese without being overpoweringly salty.
A variety of crackers can be offered, such as classic cream crackers or oatcakes. Rustic crackers are a popular choice, and it is recommended to serve at least two different types to provide options for your guests. Crackers can also serve as small plates for your cheeses and fruits, or they can be enjoyed with wine on their own.
To elevate your cracker selection, consider pairing them with specific cheeses and accompaniments. For instance, sourdough flatbread crackers pair well with a peppery, creamy triple cream brie and apricot jam. For a rich, nutty combination, try crackers with Vella Dry Jack or Central Coast Creamery's Seascape.
When creating a cheese board, it is essential to offer a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavours. This can include hard, medium, and soft cheeses, as well as cheeses made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. Unique flavours, such as herb-coated, smoked, or truffle-infused cheeses, will also add interest to your selection.
In addition to crackers, you may want to include sliced baguette or crusty bread as an alternative base for your cheeses. Fresh, seasonal fruit is also a great way to add colour, sweetness, and a refreshing element to your cheese and cracker selection.
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Selecting a variety of cheeses
Variety of Textures
Offer a range of soft, medium, and hard cheeses. This ensures that your guests can enjoy different textures, from creamy and smooth to firm and crumbly.
Animal Sources
Include cheeses made from different animal milk sources, such as cow, goat, and sheep. Each type has a unique flavour and character that can complement different wines.
Flavours and Additions
Choose cheeses with distinct flavours, such as herbs, smoked varieties, or even those with truffles added. These unique flavours can be a conversation starter and offer something for everyone.
Local Specialities
Support local producers by including local cheese specialities in your selection. Your guests may appreciate discovering new flavours, and it adds a sense of place to your gathering.
Shapes and Presentation
Cut the cheese into different shapes like chunks, triangles, or sticks. This not only makes it easier for guests to pick up but also adds visual appeal to your cheese platter.
Number of Varieties
Aim for at least 3-4 different varieties of cheese on your platter. This ensures a good balance of options without overwhelming your guests with too many choices.
Remember, when selecting cheeses, it's essential to consider the wines you'll be serving alongside. You can ask your cheese vendor for recommendations on pairings, or choose a few wines and ask the wine vendor which cheeses would complement them best.
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Pairing wine and cheese
When it comes to pairing wine and cheese, it's important to remember that not just any wine will go with any cheese. The key to a successful pairing is finding a balance between the flavours and textures of the cheese and wine so that neither one overpowers the other.
A good place to start is with the different types of cheese. You can group cheeses into categories such as soft, firm, and hard cheeses, or further refine your selection by including a mix of different flavours, textures, and colours. This ensures there is something for everyone at your wine and cheese social.
When it comes to the wine, you can pair it with the cheese based on their characteristics. For example, a medium-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with hard cheeses, while a fruity red like Pinot Noir is better suited for softer cheeses. If you're serving a cheese with nutty flavours, like Gruyère, a Pinot Noir's red berry fruit notes will complement it perfectly. For a nuttier, sheep's cheese like Fiore Sardo, a more oily wine like Vermentino with its citrus notes will add a fruity acidity to the pairing.
You can also pair wines and cheeses based on regionality, a concept known as "grows together, goes together". For instance, a German Riesling pairs well with a Raclette, a Swiss cheese. Another classic pairing is a French Pinot Noir with berry undertones and a dark chocolate fudge dessert.
Remember, the sweeter the wine, the stinkier the cheese can be. Blue Stilton, for instance, pairs beautifully with an older, sweeter Port. If you're serving a triple-cream cheese like Brie, a glass of Champagne will cut through the richness with its bright acidity and lively bubbles.
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Serving dessert
When it comes to serving dessert at a wine and cheese social, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you'll want to choose something that complements the cheeses and wines that have been served. A popular choice is dark chocolate, which pairs perfectly with a French Pinot Noir or a Cabernet Sauvignon. You could also offer a chocolate fudge recipe, or other sweet treats such as fudge, sweet biscuits, or cakes.
If you're looking for something a little more substantial, you could consider a cheese-based dessert. For example, a baked Camembert with honey and thyme, served with crusty bread or crackers, would make a delicious and indulgent end to the meal. Alternatively, you could offer a selection of cheeses for guests to sample, perhaps with some fresh fruit or charcuterie on the side. This way, guests can create their own perfect dessert combinations.
When choosing cheeses for dessert, it's a good idea to offer a variety of textures and flavours. Include some hard, medium, and soft cheeses, and consider different types of milk, such as cow, goat, or sheep's cheese. You could also add some unique flavours, such as herbs, smoked cheeses, or even truffle.
In terms of presentation, it's a nice touch to cut the cheeses into different shapes, such as chunks, triangles, or sticks. This adds visual interest and texture to the dessert platter. You can also fill any empty spaces with sliced fruit, such as apples, grapes, or dates, adding colour and sweetness to the board. Finally, don't forget the crackers! Rustic, crunchy crackers are a must for serving with cheese, and it's a good idea to offer a variety of types, such as classic cream crackers or oatcakes.
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Creating the right atmosphere
Wine and cheese socials are a great way to bring people together to enjoy various cheeses and wines. They are a fantastic opportunity to introduce friends to new wines and cheeses and are always well-received. Here are some tips for creating the right atmosphere for your wine and cheese social:
Location and Setting
If you are hosting your wine and cheese social outdoors, ensure there is plenty of room for your guests to spread out. If the event is during the pandemic, prioritize safety by setting up a socially distant space with hand sanitiser or a hand-washing station, and have masks available for your guests.
Table Setting and Decor
Flowers are a lovely addition to the table setting. Pick garden flowers or buy some from a grocery store and place them in little vases around the table. For a unique touch, place the wine bottles down the middle of the table, almost like a centrepiece. This gives your guests options and the opportunity to test different wines. Provide two glasses per person so they can taste the reds and whites simultaneously.
Food and Drink
The key to a successful wine and cheese social is variety. Offer a mix of soft, firm, and hard cheeses with different flavours, textures, and colours to ensure there is something for everyone. You can include unique flavours like herb-coated, smoked, or truffle-infused cheeses. Buy cheeses from different areas and made from various animals, such as cow, goat, or sheep. Cut the cheese into different shapes like chunks, triangles, or sticks to add interest to the plate.
For drinks, it is recommended to have two bottles of normal wine and one bottle of sweet wine. Offer a range of wines, from bold red wines like Bordeaux or Port wine to white wines like Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio. You can also include sparkling wines like Prosecco or a Rose. If you are serving cheese and crackers, ensure you have the right crackers that are crunchy yet not too hard and salty enough to enhance the flavour of the cheese. Include sliced baguette, crackers, and fresh crusty bread to accompany the cheeses.
To complement the cheeses, offer cured meats, olives, or other antipasti. Seasonal fruits like grapes, apples, and dates are excellent palate cleansers, making it easier to taste different cheeses and pairings. You can also add charming details to the board, such as little jars of peach pepper jelly made for cheese.
Post-Dinner
As the party winds down, offer refreshing snacks to tingle your guests' taste buds. Sweet treats like fudge, chocolate, sweet biscuits, or cakes are perfect for concluding a wine and cheese social.
Remember, creating the right atmosphere is about making your guests feel comfortable and providing a variety of options for them to explore and enjoy.
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Frequently asked questions
Some classic combinations include an aged cheddar with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne with Brie cheese, Goat cheese with Sauvignon Blanc, and Moscato with Gorgonzola.
You can serve charcuterie, crackers, fruits, and cured meats like salami and prosciutto.
Crackers should be crunchy and salty, but not overwhelmingly so. Examples include rustic crackers, cream crackers, and oatcakes.
Fruits can be served according to what's in season. Examples include grapes, apples, and dates.
It depends on how much your friends drink. A bottle of wine contains 5 big or 6 small glasses. A sweet wine will yield more glasses since you serve less per glass.
