How to cater a wine and cheese party (white wine, tomato, bread)

[elizamary]

I'm trying to gather as much info as I can and all suggestions are welcome.
I'm thinking of having a wine and cheese party in Sept.
My ideas consist of various red and white wine, cheeses, veggie tray, fruit tray and deserts tray.
If anyone has done this and feels the need to share, I would love to hear what you have to say.

[poconoproud]

I would find out which cheeses compliment your specific wine choices. Usually, if you get your wine from a winery as opposed to the Liquor Store, they can give you some guidance as to which pair well together. Or googel "wine and cheese pairings" The same with deserts. google "desert and wine pairings." Some deserts just go well with certain wines, and some do not. Since it will be September, keep that in mind - maybe a more woody flavor?

[tvdxer]

Make sure you get bread too.

[ssg II]

I would love to help you! I've been in the food & beverage industry all my working life, with a 5 year interlude managing fine wine & liquor retail stores.
I have been to & hosted a gazillion wine tastings. I have visited wineries in France, Italy & California. (Gee, sounds like a resume!)

You can search the internet forever & not find what you want. For instance, there's a sparkling wine specifically suited for chocolate: It's "Rosa Regale" from Banfi.

Most of us do not have wineries in our backyards and have to rely on local suppliers. Not all wines, domestic or imported, are available everywhere.

Don't know what pocononproud means by "woody." Perhaps he/she means "oakey," from the oak barrells in which some wines are aged.

PM me if you want, but a public discussion would help others!

[burdell]

Remember to remove your cheeses from the fridge far enough in advance of serving time to come to room temperature, they'll be much more aromatic and flavorful.

[Mooseketeer]

Also don't forget that the accompaniments to cheeses can make a lot of difference. For example, try to get different types of bread ( Walnut, Bacon, Sun dried tomato etc...) and different kinds of crackers and oatcakes and I always find that serving tart apples, grapes and even pear slivers also goes beautifully with cheeses as do chutneys and even onion marmalade.

Things like slow roasted red peppers, tomatoes and onions ( with a hint of olive oil and balsamic and herbs) goes beautifullly with goat's cheeses and Haloumi or feta.

You can also add a bit more interest by baking a whole camembert in its box ( in foil) and serving with celery sticks, carrots or garlic rubbed crostinis as a quick cheesy and yummy fondue.

For those who don't drink an iced bottle of sparkling water with freshly crushed mint is very refreshing and crisp.

[andreaspercheron]

Hi!

I love a good wine and cheese party. We often get a nice baguette and some really good brie, leave it out to room temp, and have a really good preserve - not Smuckers but something really nice and you add a little dollop of that onto the brie on the bread and it's a fun little bite. As for wines, someone posted to get them at your local winery. I couldn't agree more - not only are you supporting that business but you will have better prices in most cases and really good wine. I love my local winery and they are very consistent in flavor, price and choices. One of my favorite wines is Reisling. I like wine and try to have a few different ones in my pantry for guests and dinner.

[himain]

You get someone to cater it for you like maybe the local grocery store with a platter

[TracySam]

Google Murray's Cheese Shop website (they are in NY but deliver overnight via FedEx).

Wonderful cheeses, things to serve with cheese, wine suggestions to pair with different cheeses, info about cheese, etc.

I got their cheese of the month club as a gift last year, and now I'm hooked!

They even give advice on putting together a cheese platter, how you should include a variety of aged, bloomy, blue, sheep, cow, goat, etc.

[poconoproud]

Murray's Cheese - Specialty artisan foods by mail

It's a good site! thanks TracySam!