Text Box: Wine and Cheese Pairings: Asiago Cheese—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah Blue Cheese—Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Sparkling Wine, Port Brie Cheese- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine Gouda Cheese -Riesling, Zinfandel, Merlot Cheddar Cheese -Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Merlot, Syrah Gruyere Cheese - Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah Havarti Cheese - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir Monterey Jack Cheese - Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel Mozzarella Cheese - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir Parmesan Cheese -Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc Provolone Cheese -Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah Swiss Cheese - Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Pinot Noir

How to Throw a Wine and Cheese Party

 

Looking for a casual way to entertain friends and family?  Want to spend more time enjoying time with your guests and less time in the kitchen?  If so you should consider hosting a wine and cheese party!  Presentation and great wine is key to impressing your guests.  Here is a guide to everything you need to throw a great wine and cheese party.

 

Entertaining Essentials:

 

Cocktail napkins and plates – Party City has a good variety of cocktail napkins, this will add style and reinforce the party’s theme.

Cheese knives – you should use one knife per cheese selection, this will prevent cheese flavors and aromas from blending together.  Linens and Things and Crate and Barrel have a nice selection.

Mingling plates – this is a cute idea, you can find mingling plates at Pottery Barn.  These plates allow guests to keep a hand free for eating or sipping wine. 

Cheese pedestals/cutting boards – to display and serve cheese.  Use grapes and/or olives to decorate the table setting.

Ice buckets – White wine needs to be chilled at all times.

Wine coasters – to prevent a mess on your tables and other furniture.

Glassware – here is a list of the essential glassware to use for the type of wine that you will be serving:

White Wine Glass – Perfect for Chardonnay, Fume Blanc and Pinot Grigio

Burgundy Glass – Suited for light to medium bodied wines such as Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Rhone

Red Wine Glass – Usually for medium bodied wines but also a great basic wine glass for entertaining.  This glass pairs well with Chianti, Zinfandel or Beaujolais

Bordeaux Glass – Best for full bodied wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux and Cabernet Franc   

Now go throw a great wine a cheese party, CHEERS!!!
Text Box: Set Up and useful tips: Set up various stations to encourage guests to mingle. Each table should highlight two or three different cheeses and wines that pair well together. Make sure white wines are chilled prior to the party. Set the cheeses out ahead of time to make sure they are room temperature. Have baskets of sliced bread and assorted crackers to help guests clean their palates before trying a different wine. Keep corkscrews handy so guests can open additional bottles of wine. You can encourage guests to bring a bottle of their favorite wine to share at the party. Choose mild and strong cheese to offer your guests a good variety. Wine charms are a cute idea; guests can attach them to the stem of their glass for identification. Select music that will help set the mood during the party.