Cheese Plate Perfection!

When it comes to entertaining, some of us have our tried and true recipes and hosting ideas. Why not switch up your go-to appetizers with a different approach — a cheese plate? It’s easy to add something everyone will love and a cheese plate lends a sophisticated touch to any party. Keep reading for more information on putting one together. Don’t worry— it’s easy!

Setting up a cheese plate

The key to creating a great plate is variety. Be sure to incorporate different types of cheese textures and flavors onto your platter for an assortment of tastes. If you’re not sure where to start, think about choosing cheeses by the type of milk used, such as goat’s milk or cow’s milk, or you can even decide on cheeses by the area in which they’re made. Deciding on certain characteristics of the cheese can help you come up with a theme for the cheese plate that you can incorporate into your overall party atmosphere.

For best taste, serve your cheeses at room temperature. Place them on a platter or wooden cutting board with a separate knife for each, and label each cheese so your guests know what they’re trying. You can find inspiration for fun labels here. You may often find breads such as sliced baguettes as well as crackers served alongside cheese plates and boards. Jams, honey, meats such as salami and prosciutto, and fruits often make appearances on cheese plates as well. Figs, pears, and apples are a great place to start.

Try not to overcrowd items and make sure your board or platter is big enough to hold several cheeses, along with any other food items you may want to add.

Cheese and wine suggestions

Now that you have an idea of how to set up your cheese plate, let us give you a few ideas on cheese and wine combinations that will take your gathering to the next level.

Publix Deli Imported Danish Blue Cheese
Flavor: Sharp, tangy, and spicy
Texture: Creamy, crumbly
Red Wine Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon
White Wine Pairing: Riesling
Snack Pairing: Whole grain crackers, and dried cranberries

Publix Deli Imported Dutch Aged Gouda Cheese
Flavor: Caramel overtones, salty, sweet, and sharp
Texture: Firm, smooth, springy
Red Wine Pairing: Merlot
White Wine Pairing: Riesling
Snack Pairing: Pears, nuts, and whole-grain bread

Publix Deli Imported Aged Cheddar Cheese
Flavor: Rich, creamy, and sharp
Texture: Compact and crumbly, robust
Red Wine Pairing: Petite sirah
White Wine Pairing: Sauvignon blanc
Snack Pairing: Honey, pistachios, toasted walnuts, and olives

Publix Deli Domestic Goat Cheese
Flavor: Mild and tangy
Texture: Soft and crumbly
Red Wine Pairing: Beaujolais
White Wine Pairing: Sauvignon blanc
Snack Pairing: Apples, figs, raspberries, pears, and walnuts

Publix Deli Domestic Brie Cheese
Flavor: Sweet, with hazelnut or mushroom flavors
Texture: Creamy, soft
Red Wine Pairing: Merlot
White Wine Pairing: Chardonnay
Snack Pairing: Dark chocolate, honey, apples, and berries

Publix Deli Imported Swiss Gruyère Cheese
Flavor: Sweet and slightly salty, with fruity and nutty flavors
Texture: Hard and smooth
Red Wine Pairing: Pinot noir
White Wine Pairing: Chardonnay
Snack Pairing: Spiced nuts, grilled veggies, and chocolate

Publix Deli Imported Spanish Manchego Cheese
Flavor: Earthy, nutty, full-flavored, briny-dry, and slightly piquant
Texture: Firm, supple, dry
Red Wine Pairing: Rioja
White Wine Pairing: Sherry
Snack Pairing: Figs, grapes, dates, and chocolate
If you want to keep things really easy or if your gathering is pretty small, check out our simple wine and cheese pairings for classic combinations. We’d love to see how your cheese plate turns out. Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.