Save An elegant selection of gourmet bites artfully paired with a curated range of wines, perfect for sophisticated entertaining or a festive tasting experience.
This pairing platter has elevated many of my gatherings, impressing guests with its variety and balance.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 100 g Brie sliced, 100 g aged Manchego cut into wedges, 100 g blue cheese crumbled
- Charcuterie (optional for non-vegetarian): 80 g prosciutto, 80 g dry-cured salami sliced, 80 g smoked duck breast thinly sliced
- Breads & Crackers: 1 small baguette sliced, 100 g multigrain crackers
- Fresh Fruits: 1 bunch seedless grapes, 1 pear thinly sliced, 1 apple thinly sliced, 1 handful fresh figs halved (seasonal)
- Nuts & Condiments: 50 g roasted almonds, 50 g walnuts, 60 g fig jam, 40 g honey
- Wine Pairings: 1 bottle dry Champagne, 1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc, 1 bottle Pinot Noir, 1 bottle aged Bordeaux
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Arrange the cheeses on a large platter spacing them evenly.
- Step 2:
- Add the charcuterie in small folds or rolls beside the cheeses (omit or substitute with marinated grilled vegetables for a vegetarian option).
- Step 3:
- Place the bread slices and crackers in clusters around the edges of the platter.
- Step 4:
- Fill gaps with groups of fresh fruits nuts and small bowls of fig jam and honey.
- Step 5:
- Chill the wines to their optimal serving temperatures Champagne (8°C/46°F) Sauvignon Blanc (10°C/50°F) Pinot Noir (14°C/57°F) Bordeaux (16°C/61°F).
- Step 6:
- Set up tasting glasses and suggest the following pairings Brie with Champagne or Pinot Noir Manchego with Sauvignon Blanc Blue cheese with Bordeaux or honey Prosciutto and duck with Pinot Noir Fruits and nuts with any wine especially Champagne
Save This platter always sparks wonderful family conversations and is a highlight at our celebrations.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or wooden board, Cheese knives, Small bowls for jams and honey, Wine glasses, Serving tongs or forks
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese) tree nuts (almonds walnuts) gluten (bread crackers) sulfites (wine) and possible pork (charcuterie). Those with allergies should double-check all product labels and swap components as needed.
Nutritional Information
Calories 410 Total Fat 23 g Carbohydrates 38 g Protein 16 g per serving without wine
Save This platter is sure to impress and bring your guests together over great food and wine.
Cooking Questions & Answers
- → What cheeses work best on the platter?
Soft Brie, aged Manchego, and crumbled blue cheese offer a balanced range of creamy, nutty, and tangy flavors.
- → How should the wines be served?
Serve Champagne chilled at 8°C, Sauvignon Blanc slightly chilled at 10°C, Pinot Noir at 14°C, and Bordeaux at 16°C for optimal taste.
- → Can the platter be adapted for vegetarians?
Yes, replacing charcuterie with marinated artichokes, grilled zucchini, and roasted peppers creates a delicious vegetarian alternative.
- → What are good fruit accompaniments?
Seedless grapes, pear, apple slices, and seasonal fresh figs add sweetness and texture to the platter.
- → How to enhance flavors with condiments?
Fig jam and honey served in small bowls enrich the pairing by adding layers of sweetness and complexity.
- → What bread choices complement the platter?
Thinly sliced baguette and multigrain crackers provide varied textures that pair well with cheeses and meats.