Recipe Finder

New! Find all your favorite Southern Living recipes on MyRecipes.com

Recipes
Wine and Cheese Party: No Experience Necessary
continued  PAGE 2 OF 2
Supporting Cast
Wine and cheese are best served with simple accompaniments such as these.
  • Crusty bread and crackers: French baguette, Italian bread, plain crackers (all wrapped in a clean cloth to keep them from drying out)
  • Fresh fruit: grapes, melons, pears, apples, berries, figs
  • Nuts: pecans, almonds, walnuts, macadamias
  • Assorted olives, pickled vegetables, or cured meats such as sliced country ham and sausage

Serving Tips

  • Plan on 3 to 6 ounces of cheese per person. Regardless of the number of different wines you choose to serve, plan for each guest to have approximately 2 (6-ounce) glasses in total.
  • Remove cheese from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving, but keep it covered with a clean cloth to preserve freshness.
  • If you slice the cheese ahead, do it while it's cold, but serve it at room temperature. However, to preserve the look and moisture of the cheese, we suggest that guests slice their own. If you don't have cheese knives, basic table knives will work just fine.
  • Use a wooden cutting board or large, flat platter for serving cheese.
  • Use separate knives for each cheese.
  • Avoid placing strong and mild cheeses next to each other.
  • If possible, provide two glasses for each guest--one for red wine and one for white. If your supply of wine goblets is limited, don't be afraid to use short, small glasses (even small plastic glasses will do in a pinch). Another option is to rent glasses. It's not that expensive, and you don't have to wash them.
  • Supply plenty of water for drinking.
  • Print a list of the wines and cheeses you serve and send a copy home with each guest as a take-away gift.

Low-Carb Wine?
Not wanting to be left behind in the low-carb craze, several companies have introduced wines aimed at folks concerned about their intake of carbs. Although the vast majority of dry red and white wines already meet the government's definition of "low carb" (which is less than 7 grams of carbohydrates per 5-ounce serving), consumers are now able to purchase wines labeled as such. Examples include One.6 Chardonnay and One.9 Merlot (referring to the number of carbs in a 5-ounce serving); both retail for around $10. I don't recommend putting down your favorite dry red or white just for the satisfaction of having the words "low carb" on the label. If you're new to wine, however, and concerned about your intake of carbohydrates, these wines are an good place to start.

20 Great Wines Under $12
Here are a few of my top wine picks delivering impressive flavor and terrific value. These gems will also cozy up to a wide variety foods at your holiday table.
White:

  • Stone Cellars, Chardonnay, California
  • Columbia Crest, Chardonnay, Washington
  • Turning Leaf, Chardonnay, California
  • Snoqualmie, Winemaker's Select Riesling, Washington
  • Banfi, Chardonnay-Pinot Grigio, Italy
  • Bella Sera, Pinot Grigio, Italy
  • Yalumba, Viognier, Australia
  • Long Flat, Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Australia
  • Pierre Sparr, Riesling, France
  • Fairview, Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa
Red:
  • Red Bicyclette, Syrah, France
  • La Vieille Ferme, Côtes du Ventoux, France
  • Ranchn Zabaco, Zinfandel, California
  • Ken Forrester, Pinotage, South Africa
  • Concha y Toro, "Xplorador" Merlot, Chile
  • Pepperwood Grove, Cabernet Sauvignon, California
  • Rosemount Estate, Cabernet Merlot, Australia
  • Ravenswood, Vintner's Blend Zinfandel, California
  • Alta Vista, Malbec, Argentina
  • Duck Pond, Pinot Noir, Oregon

1 | 2
Advertisement