| Wine and cheese make a wonderful combination. | | | | from flattened wine bottles. |
| A wine and cheese party is a great way to bring | | | | At each station, be sure to provide the correct |
| friends and relatives together, or makes a special | | | | glass for each type of wine. Red wines are |
| birthday or wedding party. They are relatively | | | | served in round, ball-shaped glasses while white |
| simple to host and prepare for, requiring little | | | | wine is poured in narrower, taller glasses, but not |
| work for even those who don't know much | | | | quite as narrow as a champagne flute. Make sure |
| about wine. | | | | to provide plenty of each type of glass so that |
| There are a few easy ways to set up your room | | | | your guests will always be able to use the correct |
| for the party. If you have the space available, a | | | | glass. Put out lots of small plates for the cheese, |
| long buffet table against a wall divided into | | | | too. These could be purchased with a certain |
| sections is an easy way to set out the food. | | | | theme in mind, but old eclectic dishes work nicely |
| Another method is to position several small tables | | | | as well. |
| throughout the room, set up as stations for each | | | | Pairing the right cheeses with your wines is very |
| wine and their paired cheeses. Another station | | | | important. There are some general rules to follow |
| with other foods is sure to keep your guests | | | | to match cheese with wine, but conducting your |
| happy. | | | | own experiments can be very rewarding as well. |
| The key to decorating for a wine and cheese | | | | Wines from the same country or region as the |
| party is to keep it simple yet elegant. White table | | | | cheese usually match well. Acidic wines taste good |
| cloths and candles make for a nice atmosphere | | | | with acidic cheeses. Some specific examples of |
| that is very easy to set up. Placing grapes or | | | | good pairings are Port with Roquefort, |
| grape leaves on the table, or other seasonal | | | | Camembert with Cabernet, Brie with Champagne, |
| decorations such as tree leaves in the fall or | | | | Provolone with Chardonnay, but don't be afraid to |
| flowers in the spring, make a nice addition. Fruit | | | | be a little creative with your own. |
| goes well with cheese, especially grapes, so you | | | | In addition to wine and cheese, a good wine and |
| could make a large centerpiece filled with various | | | | cheese tasting party has lots of tasty breads and |
| fruits. A large ornate bowl filled with ice and wine | | | | crackers, perhaps even something fancy like |
| bottles makes a nice focal point for the table. | | | | caviar to make the party even more special. |
| Guests will appreciate it if you label each cheese | | | | Cheesecake makes a great dessert that stays |
| with its name and perhaps more information, such | | | | with the theme, but any dessert will work for |
| as what region it is from, the general taste and | | | | your party. Coffee is a good way to wrap things |
| maybe a short history. Each cheese could have its | | | | up. And remember, don't let anyone drive too |
| own cutting board and knife at their respective | | | | soon afterwards. |
| stations, perhaps even using novelty boards made | | | | |