How to Plan a Menu for a Wine and Cheese Party

Wine has the potential to bring out the best in a wide range of recipes, enhancing flavors. Cheese allows for a wide variety of menu options, especially when paired with wine. Pairing food and wine for a party is tricky business, but there are a few simple guidelines you can follow.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Plan a Menu for a Wine and Cheese Party

1. Find cocktail recipes that feature a wide variety of cheeses (see Resources below).

2. Feature food from a specific country or region. Serve French wine and cheese with classic French fare.

3. Plan your menu around specific wines. Discover dishes that complement an Oregon Pinot Noir or an Alsatian Riesling.

4. Draw up a menu that includes various cheese dishes, matching each selection with a complementary wine.

5. Prepare recipes with specific cheeses and find wines that complement each dish. You may discover that a particular cheese, like cheddar, can be paired with dozens of wines, depending on the recipe you use.

6. Arrange a potluck party and have your guests bring their own dishes and favorite cheeses. Add your own dish or cheese platter to the mix.

7. Consider mixing and matching edibles from different regions. See how traditional Mediterranean food pairs up with California wines.

Tips & Warnings

• Serve cheese on its own, instead of overwhelming it with a fancy recipe. Most cheeses stand well enough on their own and serve as the perfect match to a glass of wine.
• Just for fun, try to match a wine with macaroni and cheese or a grilled-cheese sandwich. You never know what might taste good with those cheesy snacks.
• A wine and cheese potluck is an inexpensive party option. Find out what your guests plan to bring to avoid menu redundancy.
• If you plan to have many cheeses, plan to serve smaller portions so that each of your guests may try them all. Smaller dishes are also easier for you to prepare and more cost-effective. Featuring 10 cheeses and 10 large dishes is a lot of work.
• A local restaurant may be a good place to learn about pairing wine with food. Often, servers make wine suggestions according to food selections.