How to Select a Theme for a Wine and Cheese Party

Good wines and cheeses are produced all over the world. But, hosting a party that highlights all of those diverse tastes and pairings could prove difficult. Finding a theme will help narrow your focus and give your guests something to look forward to.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Select a Theme for a Wine and Cheese Party

1. Select a theme based on a particular region of the world. The United States, Australia, Europe, South America and South Africa are some popular wine regions.
2. Choose wines based on the grape type. Throw a red wine party or a white wine party.
3. Compare California Cabernet Sauvignon, French Bordeaux or Portuguese port from different vineyards and different years. You could even dedicate your party to dessert wines from all over the world.
4. Choose similar cheeses from different countries. For example, the United States, Ireland and Sweden all make cheddar cheese. Purchase cheddar cheese from each country and taste the difference in flavor.
5. Select a theme that targets the education of your guests, allowing them to experiment and explore a full variety of flavors.
6. Allow each guest to influence your party's theme. Have each guest bring one or two bottles of his favorite wine and a block or two of his favorite cheese.
7. Pick out cheeses that are grouped in a specific category, such as goat's milk, cow's milk or sheep's milk cheese. Other categories include sharp, buttery, nutty, crumbly, soft, processed, blue vein and fresh cheese.
8. Match your invitations to the theme of your wine and cheese party. Doing so can provide a pulled-together appearance.
9. Find cheeses that originate from the same region as the wines you choose. You might choose to serve French Camembert with champagne or Spanish manchego with a rioja or tempranillo.

Tips & Warnings

• Know your audience. Some people may not be as adventurous when it comes to wine and would prefer to stick with a particular grape type or region.
• A bring-you-own-bottle theme could help to offset some of the costs of hosting a wine and cheese party.
• Adding region-specific fruits to your wine and cheese party can round out your theme and provide a flavor boost.

Who Can Help:

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