Host the ultimate wine and cheese party with a few tips from our cheesemongers. A classic wine and cheese party brings together strangers, incites conversation, and expands your palate with imported, gourmet, and domestic cheeses.
For the ideal atmosphere, set up several cheese "stations" around your home — each featuring two or three cheeses with accompanying breads, crackers, or garnishes. Serve wines that complement each group of cheeses. A good rule is to select wines that come from the same region as the cheese.
Traveling from station to station allows guests to mingle and meet while tasting a variety of new cheeses. You may even provide guests with a "guide" to the cheese stations. In the guide, you can describe each of the cheese and wine pairings, and suggest a route that allows people to move from the mildest cheese to the strongest. The following are some suggestions for cheese stations:
- International Assortment — A rich variety of cheeses, from across the globe.
- Cheeses: Havarti (Danish); Stilton (English); Bavarian Swiss (German)
- Accompaniments: Figs; toasted walnuts; slices of ripe pear
- Wine: Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc
- Italian Sampler — A sample of Italy's world-famous cheeses, from a variety of milk sources.
- Cheeses: Fresh Mozzarella; Parmigiano Reggiano; Asiago; Fontina
- Accompaniments: A selection of Italian meats; assorted olives; Tuscany bread
- Spanish Tapas — A selection of Spain's unique cheeses, served with traditional sides.
- Cheeses: Idiazabal; Manchego; Mahon
- Accompaniments: Spiced almonds; olives; quince jam; Serrano ham
- Wine: Spanish wine or sherry
In the spotlight: how to buy the right amount of cheese
Gauging the right amount of cheese for your party is simple: You'll need approximately 3.5 oz. of cheese per adult and 1.75 oz. per child.
Also, consider:
- The time of day and the length of your event. Example: If your event spans typical mealtimes, such as noon–3 p.m. or 5 p.m.–8 p.m., figure on 4 ounces of cheese per person. (If you are serving a lot of other foods, you can safely count on 2.5–3 oz. per person.)
- The number of different cheeses to buy. Three to four types of cheeses are ideal — unless your goal is to present a wide variety of cheeses.
- Remember that certain cheeses are more popular than others. If you're serving something you expect to be a favorite, it won't hurt to buy a little extra!
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