Ultimate Guide To Hosting A Wine & Cheese Party: Pairings, Ideas, Expert Tips

Host a wine and cheese party at home with this ultimate guide to prepping, planning, and pairing. I’m sharing everything you need to know to throw an adult theme party your guests will love including decor, what to serve, tasting tips, and even dessert suggestions that stick with the theme.

A few years ago I hosted a wine and cheese party for 10, and did all the homework to learn about proper pairings. I researched articles and books from the pros like sommeliers and cheese mongers, to explore different tastes and flavor combinations. 

This party plan has everything I learned and incorporated into our gathering. Just follow these recommendations and invite your guests! It’s perfect for ladies night in, an adult birthday party, or a neighborhood get-together.

Where To Start

The first thing you need to do is to decide what kind of wine and cheese party to have. There are a few ways to approach it:

1. This guide highlights the tastings and pairings aspect, with other appetizer options to help make the entire evening a more rounded experience.
2. You can simply have a happy hour or cocktail gathering where you serve wine and cheese or charcuterie boards, with little worry about perfect pairings. It’s still a fun party and there’s no cooking required.
3. Do a pared down version of a wine and cheese tasting as an activity before a dinner party. Pick just 3 cheeses and 3 wines to taste before moving on to the table.

How Much Do You Need?

To make it memorable you don’t need to have 15 different options. But I do suggest you serve as many options as your budget allows. I recommend at least three tastings or pairings for the experience, and five or six will make it even more interesting.

Cheese

• At minimum offer 3 or 4 different cheeses and plan on 2-3 ounces of each cheese per guest. This works well for a small group of 4 to 6 people.
• For a larger group or if you just want to expand the tasting, increase to 5 or 6 cheeses. This number works well for 8 to 12 people. As a rough estimate, go with about ½ pound per person, total.

Wine

• If you are just doing a tasting you can get by with 1 bottle of each wine, but if you’re planning to sip wine throughout the evening, plan on two bottles each. One bottle of wine typically serves 5-6 glasses, or two people.
• For a tasting pour about ½ inch into the glass. If a guest lands on a particular favorite after the tasting, fill the glass just to the widest part of the bowl.

What to Serve

Let’s start with the different cheeses. You can pick one from each of the five categories, or you can concentrate on one or two categories. Serve them individually or arrange a charcuterie board with the other offerings that follow.

Types of Cheese

1. Firm Cheeses. Aged and salty, such as Cheddar, Gruyere, Manchego, Gouda, Fontina, Parmesan.
2. Semi-Soft Cheeses. Milder, such as Havarti, Muenster, or Taleggio.
3. Soft or Fresh Cheeses. Spreadable and tangy, like goat cheese, mozzarella, burrata, or Boursin.
4. Double or Triple Crème Cheeses. Rich and creamy with edible rind, like Brie, Camembert, or Saint-Andre.
5. Blue Cheeses. Ranging from mild to strong, like Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort.

Bread & Crackers

Include bread or crackers to accompany the cheeses, and act as a palate cleanser between tastings. Here are some options:

• Rustic breads. French or Italian loaves or crostini, focaccia, sourdough, ciabatta, or walnut and date bread.
• Crackers. Water crackers, artisan crackers, or even sturdy potato chips for a fun twist. Make these easy cheddar cheese coins for a homemade option.
• Palate cleansers. Take your cue from wineries and set out a few small bowls of Oyster Crackers to help reset your taste buds between bites.
• Gluten free. It’s a good idea to have some gluten free crackers or bread on hand for guests who have an allergy or sensitivity.

Accompaniments

The right accompaniments can elevate both the wine and the cheese. Add one or more options from each category, or choose 2 or 3 overall.

• Fresh fruit. Gala apples, Bosc pears, grapes, or seasonal figs.
• Dried fruit. Apricots, dates, cherries, or dried figs.
• Jams & honey. Pair cheeses with honeycomb or a variety of fruit jams and chutneys.
• Savory spreads. Gourmet mustard, olive tapenade, bruschetta.
• Nuts. Almonds, walnuts, or pistachios add crunch and balance the creamy textures of the cheese. These savory pecans are a fabulous snack to include, or add some spice with sweet and spicy pecans.
• Savory items. Offer olives, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, jardiniere, marinated artichoke hearts, pickled vegetables, or small pickles (cornichons) for a briny, salty contrast.

Meats

Cheese, wine, and charcuterie are a natural pairing, so if you want to add in some cured meats here are some classic options:

• Thin or thick sliced Salami or Soppressata
• Prosciutto
• Summer sausage
• Pâté

Easy Recipes & Small Bites 

You can stick with the cheese theme and serve some heartier appetizers to help satiate your guests. These charcuterie skewers, or these ham, cheese, and fruit skewers are simple to make ahead and are easy to eat.

Make crunchy cheese crisps using cheddar or parmesan, or these cheese hors d’oeuvres that have just 2 ingredients. One of my favorite sweet and savory combos is baked brie bites in phyllo shells. They’re always a hit with guests.

Even pimento cheese spread fits the theme and can be served with the bread and crackers you’ve set out. Prepare a platter of toast-style appetizers such as this cheddar and bacon crostini or these ham and Swiss crostini.

When I hosted my party I wanted to add some extra protein to the menu so I served these honey chicken salad cups using phyllo shells to make them a bit quicker to prepare. Another good option is roast beef and blue cheese party sandwiches, or party meatballs.

Wine & Cheese Pairings

In general, light acidic wines go best with fresh, creamy cheeses, while full-bodied wines complement aged cheeses. If you’re unsure, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Syrah (Shiraz) pair well with most cheeses. Refer to this chart for pairings:

Dessert Pairings and Ideas

Every party needs something sweet to end the meal; even a wine and cheese tasting. Here’s how to incorporate the theme into dessert.

• Try Vin Santo, a sweet Italian wine, paired with biscotti. It’s a traditional pairing we had in Florence.
• Have Port wine with Pastel de Nata, a delicious Portuguese custard tart that you can usually find in the freezer section of Trader Joe’s or Costco.
• For a cozy touch, serve Mead (honey wine) with donut holes or gingerbread cookies.
• Consider a wine and chocolate tasting station to conclude the evening.
• Baked brie with toppings turns the mild creamy cheese into a sweet treat, and is a crowd-pleaser. For a streamlined option simply top the hot brie with honey or jam, and dried fruit or nuts.
• In keeping with the “cheese” theme, serve mini cheesecakes! Add sugared pecans on the side.

Expert Tips For Tasting

1. Before you taste the wine, swirl it in the glass to aerate it. When tasting wine and cheese together, take a sip of wine first, then take a bite of the cheese. Chew slowly and let the cheese linger as you take another sip of wine. The pairing should make the wine taste complementary and smooth, not bitter and combative on the palate. 
2. When selecting cheese, remember soft cheese tends to be mild or tart, while hard cheese is often salty and more assertive.
3. Experts recommend starting with hard cheese, then soft, and ending with blue cheese. When tasting as a pair with wine though, I actually prefer to start with the soft mild cheeses. That’s because the flavors of harder cheeses are more robust and usually paired with heavier red wine. Try it either way, but always finish with blue.
4. Be sure to provide pitchers of room-temperature water to cleanse the palate between tastings, and to keep your guests hydrated.
5. Avoid letting the different cheeses touch each other. It can alter the taste and lessen the experience. Place them on separate boards, or at least keep plenty of space between each one, and use separate knives for each.
6. Serve the cheeses at room temperature (70°F) to get their full flavor and texture. Remove from the fridge 1 hour beforehand, but keep them wrapped until the party begins. Do not serve straight from the fridge.
7. When in doubt, wines and cheeses from the same region typically pair well together.

Serving Tips for Wine

Refer to my guide for more detailed tips on serving wine for a party. Here are a few quick tips for your gathering.

• Serve white wines between 58 and 62°F. Use a wine chilling wrap if needed. Take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving, to take the chill off.
• Sparkling wines should be very well chilled. Put it in the fridge early so it can reach 40 to 45°F, and keep it in an ice bucket during the party.
• Reds are best at 62 to 68°F. If your home is warm (about 70°F) you can put it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to lower the temperature. I also suggest opening the wine at least an hour before serving, to let it breathe.

Favorite Wines For $15 Or Less

Some of my favorite wines for around $10-$15.

• Cavit Pinot Grigio (around $10)
• Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (around $15)
• Chateau St. Michelle Riesling (not overly sweet and around $12)
• Barefoot Moscato (around $8, but very good with the taste of muscadine grapes)
• Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir (around $11)
• Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon (around $10)
• Coppola Claret Cabernet Sauvignon (around $15)

Decoration and Setup

For this party theme you can decorate with a simple elegant look, or a rustic old world style depending on the aesthetic you want.

For a rustic look, create an inviting scene with materials like burlap, kraft paper, or cheesecloth. Add some drama by using books, wooden crates, or pedestals to create different heights and levels for your display. 

A wine barrel is a fabulous piece that can add some authentic charm to the decor.

When I hosted my party, instead of one big spread I set up a few mini stations around the room. This way you can easily distinguish which cheese and wine combinations pair well together. It also encourages movement and socializing among guests.

A chalkboard can inform guests what’s on the menu. Identify each cheese with purchased labels, or use pieces of slate or broken terra cotta pots to write on with chalk, or marker. Go a step further and include notes on taste and wine pairings.

Use a glass cloche to cover the cheese. It will keep it moist and add an attractive detail.

Write or print out signs with clever wine themed quotes from historical figures. Here are some good ones:  

• “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.” – Benjamin Franklin
• “Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.” – Ernest Hemingway
• “Wine improves with age. The older I get the better I like it.” – Anonymous

Tie strips of ribbon around the stems of wine glasses for a lovely detail. If you have enough different ribbons, they can also be used as guests glass markers.

Fill a clear vase or apothecary jar with wine corks.

Print out these conversation starters and tie them on to glass stems so guests can get to know each other better.

Check out the home improvement store for materials to use as a cheese board. Look for small slabs of granite, or ceramic tiles.

Find mirror trays at thrift shops or local stores, or use your all-purpose white dishes for a streamlined look.

Creating Atmosphere

Lighting. The soft glow of low lighting can help create a cozy, intimate gathering for your wine and cheese tasting party. I love having lights on dimmers so I can adjust as needed. Other ways to create a vibe are string lights or candles.

Music. I think a well chosen playlist always sets the mood. Provide background music to enhance the evening without interfering with conversations. My go-to choices are jazz, piano, acoustic guitar, or even classical.

Party Tips

• Shop at stores with a good variety of cheeses. I recommend Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, or Aldi for their wide selection and affordable prices. If your local store has a cheese counter with samples, try something new and add it to the mix if you like it.
• Pre-slice cheeses into bite-sized shapes like rectangles, cubes, or triangles so guests can easily grab and enjoy. Consider slicing a hard cheese such as cheddar, into ‘sticks’ and laying them in a crisscross form; it adds height and interest.
• It’s fine to use one all-purpose wine glass per guest. Just make sure you have a bottle of room-temperature water available to rinse the glass between tastes, if desired. Set out a bucket to dump the water in after usage, similar to a spit bucket at a winery.
• Offer tasting cards for guests to write down notes on their favorites. For wine, they can snap a photo of their favorite bottle.

Theme Ideas

You can go in lots of different directions with a wine and cheese themed party. Here are some ideas to try.

• International or Regional tastings. Both Europe and the US are known for their wine and cheese production. Highlight 1 specific place to focus on such as French wine and cheeses, Italian pairings, Spanish cheese and wine, options from the Netherlands, or wine and cheese from America.
• Compare and contrast. Pick one variety of wine and cheese from each place listed above and compare them.
• Fondue night. Instead of tasting blocks of cheese, whip up a batch or two of cheese fondue and stock up on dippers and wine.

FAQ’s

At the end of the day just remember that pairings can be subjective depending on the wine vintage or the specific brands of each component. Use the guide as a starting point and if you love something, make a note of it and vice versa. 

Most of all, have fun planning and tasting your own wine and cheese party combinations!

Supplies

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• Cheese markers, purchased or DIY.
• An all purpose wine glass for each guest, to accommodate both white and red wines. Or, you can splurge with a white wine glass and a larger red wine glass for each guest.
• Small bowls and spoons for holding nuts, spreads, and dried fruit.
• Serving boards, or plates for each cheese.
  • Marble boards, ceramic tiles, or slate 
  • Wood boards 
  • Ceramic plates or vintage china platters.
• Spreader or knife for each cheese. Remember, you don’t want to share a blue cheese knife with a brie spreader.
  • For firm cheese like gruyere and manchego use a knife to cut pieces, or a cheese plane for thin uniform slices. 
  • For soft or spreadables use a cheese knife or spreader. 
  • For hard parmesan use a broad spade or cheese cleaver to break off irregular shaped shards.
• Parchment paper leaves (or parchment paper) to place the cheeses on for decoration and less mess. Cheese paper for storing leftovers.
• Wine opener. I’ve had this design for over 20 years and love it every time I use it!
• Wine aerator (optional) to infuse oxygen as it pours.
• Cocktail napkins
• Small appetizer plates for guests. I use these for every appetizer party I host.
• Tabletop decorations including table covering, flowers, corks, vase, or jar.