A: Wine is best served with simple accompaniments such as:

Crusty bread and crackers: French baguette, Italian bread, plain crackers (all wrapped in a clean cloth to keep from drying out)

Fresh fruit: grapes, melons, pears, apples, berries, fresh figs

Nuts: pecans, almonds, walnuts, macadamias

Assorted olives, pickled vegetables, cured meats such as sliced country ham and sausage

Cheeses: This is a true culinary match made in heaven. Soft cheese tends to be mild and fresh, while hard cheese is often salty and more assertive in flavor. That said, follow those general guidelines when selecting wines to pair with cheese. One of my favorite pairings is authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano and Amarone, a full-bodied Italian red (you can substitute Chianti Classico or Cabernet Sauvignon). The rich, earthy qualities of the wine are perfect against the nutty, slightly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth perfection of the cheese.