Follow these handy tips to ensure the success and enjoyment of your cheese and wine party.
Take note of the following points to make sure the wines are enjoyed at their best:
Red wines should be served at room temperature, which is usually 25 degrees Celsius. They should be opened about an hour before your guests arrive to give the wine time to breathe.
White wines should be placed in the refrigerator about an hour or two before the event. Be careful not to over-chill them, as this will ruin their delicate flavour and bouquet. It is best to uncork them just before serving.
Place the lighter wines together with the platters of the more bland cheeses, and the red wines with the more pungent cheese varieties.
Allow 12 bottles of wine for 18 people, this will allow four glasses per person. Set the glasses out on a separate table, and provide each guest with two glasses, one for red wine, the other for white.
If possible, use plain, clear glasses with a good stem.
To keep white and/or sparkling wines cool, fill a few ice buckets with a two-to-one mixture of crushed ice and cold water, and place them on the tables.
Set the different cheeses out on a number of wooden boards, and garnish the boards attractively with items like fresh parsley and cherry tomatoes. Avoid using lettuce, as the moisture from the leaves will make the cheese soggy.
Place at least one knife on each board, with a few extra knives on the tables.
A few different types of breads usually go down well, together with an assortment of unsweetened biscuits. Be sure to place a few dishes of rolled butter among these platters.
Place a few bowls of celery stalks, carrot strips, pickled onions, gherkins and olives around the boards, as they make for attractive side dishes.
Be sure to have a plentiful supply of colourful paper serviettes on the tables, and allow for at least one side plate per guest.
Placing a number of candles on the tables also helps create an atmosphere of sophisticated informality.
Always plan and organise your cheese and wine party properly, and draw up a comprehensive checklist of things to do.
This way, you will ensure success and enjoyment, and you will eliminate all the stress.
Enjoy!
