Wine and cheese. What a wonderful phrase! Kind of like Hakuna Matata… pairing wine and cheese “ain’t no passing craze!”
Creating a cheese platter is one of the easiest things you can do when you’re hosting a gathering of any size. Plus, most grocery stores have a large variety of cheeses, so it’s simple to find a taste for everyone.
If you want to make a full charcuterie board (a.k.a. meat and cheese tray), there are some simple tips I like to use. I’ve outlined them for you in the video below.
As for the wine side of wine and cheese, I really enjoy white wine.
I was a chardonnay gal for years, but recently, my palate has veered toward the lighter vibe of sauvignon blanc. My absolute favorite right now is by Cakebread Cellars.
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It’s from California and therefore it’s not as citrusy as its New Zealand counterparts.
In other words, it’s smooth but light. I don’t drink wine regularly… so when I do, I buy what I love! It is just a wonderful wine to enjoy.
Related: Red and White Wine Sangria
If you like a bit of a grapefruit zing, I’ve found Kim Crawford or Spy Valley Satellite Sauvignon Blanc are hard to beat. Very refreshing on a hot, summer day! I’ve also found a Pinot Gris from Oregon that is affordable and always a favorite among guests. It is by A-Z Wineworks. Really delicious with chicken and seafood and lighter pasta dishes.
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While I do gravitate towards white wines, there are a few red wines I’ve started to enjoy more and more too.
Clos du Val has a blended red called The Three Graces which is a nice introductory red wine.
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If you like a merlot, try Frog’s Leap (a long-time fave vineyard of mine, their chardonnay is excellent too! Actually, I’ve never tried one of their wines that I DIDN’T enjoy).
Related: 5 Weeknight Meals with 5 Ingredients or Less
If you want to try a nice cabernet, I like DECOY Vineyards. And if there’s a special occasion, check out the Italian section of your local wine store and find a Brunello di Montalcino.
A beautiful wine that pairs deliciously with meats, red sauce pasta, and even a dark chocolate dessert.
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While I offered my “rule of 3’s” in the charcuterie video at the top of this blog, I also want to call out a couple of favorite cheeses I always like to include when I entertain. When you want to keep the idea of wine and cheese simple, you can’t go wrong here.
Sartori makes a BellaVitano cheese that I just adore. It’s a harder cheese with a nutty yet slightly sweet flavor. But they take this cheese to the next level with hints of Raspberry or Chardonnay or their top-of-line, Gold.
I find it in the deli case section of my regular grocery store.
And for best flavor, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. If I could only eat one cheese with a glass of wine, it would be this cheese.
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I also love a good cheese spread, and my latest obsession is by DiBruno Brothers. They make a cheddar and horseradish spread that blows my mind. It has a little bacon in there too, so it’s smoky and tangy and just a dream on crackers.
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They have other flavors… Pinot Gris and fig, Abbruzzese, and port wine, to name a few. If your area carries this brand, it would be in the deli section as well.
I hope you enjoy National Wine and Cheese Day with some new inspiration and ideas!
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You might also want to check out my warm asiago cheese dip recipe… it’s the flavors of a meat and cheese plate in a delicious dip!
And be sure to check out my charcuterie must-haves to make sure you’re ready to serve in style!
Cheers!
Jill
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