Are you about to host a wine and cheese party for your friends? What could be more fun!
But if you’ve not done this before, you probably are unsure how to go about this. From the most suitable time for the event to the best wine and cheese to pair, there’s so much you need to know. And that’s what this article is here to guide you about.
So, come along!
Items you’ll need
Of course, you do know you’ll need some bottles of wine and cheese. But there are other essential items, including:
- A cheese slicer
- Plates
- At least one corkscrew
- Serving platter
- Wine glasses (try to get more than the total number of guests)
When to fix a wine and cheese event?
A wine and cheese event isn’t actual dining, and there will be no well-rounded meals. So the best time to host the event is some hours before or after dinner, say 4 pm or 9 pm. This will allow the guests enough time to eat at home before or after the party.
Now, it’s time to figure out what wine and cheese to get.
Sorting the right wine and cheese
For a wine and cheese event, never be too shy to go with the wine you consider the best. Chances are your guests will like it too, even if it isn’t their favorite.
You can find excellent wines curated according to your preferences by joining a monthly wine club. This will allow you to control the kind of wines you want to be delivered — you may know some of your friend’s tastes — so there’s enough variety to go around.
But after getting your wine, you need to pair it with the right cheese.
Some classic pairings that never disappoint include:
- Champagne and Brie
- Pinot Noir and Gruyere
- Aged Port and Blue St
- Riesling and Ricotta
- Tempranillo and Idiazabal
- Vermentino and Fiore Sardo
- Chianti Classico and Pecorino Toscano
- Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese
- Provence Rosé and Havarti
- Cabernet and Gouda
- Sweet Port and Bleu Cheese
Make sure, though, that you have at least 3-4 different types of cheese, different textures, different flavors, and from various sources (goat, cattle, vegan, etc.). Variety, indeed, is the spice of life.
Incorporate some snacks into the party
Although a wine and cheese party isn’t mealtime, adding some snacks is a great way to have something to chew on while you discuss and have fun. This will also prevent you from spending precious time in the kitchen preparing something big for your guests.
Excellent snacking options include:
- Gluten-free crackers
- Gluten-free snack mix
- Fresh fruits
- Dark chocolate
- Nut cookies
- Dried figs and oranges, etc.
It’s worth labeling the snacks’ boards to protect people with allergies from accidents.
Forming your wine and cheese board
Now for the last part, a picturesque wine and cheese board may seem complex to create, but it’s far from it. The best way to go about this is by creating a structure.
To accomplish that, place large items on the board first. These may include bowls and other decorative items that can stand independently. Then, fill in the gaps with colorful snacks and other ingredients.