We adore Charcuterie! Whether as an impressive appetizer or a fun, relaxed dinner, it is hard to beat a no-cook, make-ahead collection of tasty bites ready to be paired with delicious wine. A delightful mix of cheeses, cured meats, olives, nuts, fruits, vegetables, jellies, and spreads can be as much fun to put together as they are to enjoy. Much like a great wine, the secret is the layers of textures, colors, and tastes that elevate a good board to a great board.
However, there are some tasty items that are better saved for when you are not serving wine, as they simply do not bring out the best in most bottlings.
- Peppers: Whether green, red, or yellow, peppers are best avoided. Some wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc, may have green pepper flavors (thanks to pyrazines) that can be interesting with green peppers, but most wines simply won’t shine.
- Tricky vegetables: Namely, tomatoes or Asparagus. They look gorgeous but their flavors make them tough to match with most wines.
- Jalapeno stuffed olives (or anything too spicy): Very hot foods simply don’t work well with most wines, and they can overwhelm your taste buds. You want the finish of the wine to linger, not the sting of hot spices. Can’t resist the hot stuff? Very sweet wines like Ports, sauternes, and very sweet Rieslings (think late-harvest bottlings) are the ones to pour.
- Blue-veined, stinky cheeses: These also pair best with sweet bottlings. They clash with dry wines, especially dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc.
- White chocolate – or anything too sweet, like caramels or candies: When pairing with wine, an easy tip to remember is that sweeter bites deserve a sweeter wine, like a Port or a sauterne.
So what should you include?
Go with at least three different types of cheese and three different types of meats. Honey (a must to drizzle on cheese), jam, pesto, dried fruits, and raw or pickled vegetables add color, texture, and flavor. Crackers and breads make everything easier to enjoy. Berries, nuts, and dark chocolates go last. Use them to fill in any gaps. And don’t forget to include cheese forks, co*cktail forks, or sturdy bamboo picks.
A good mix could include:
• Organic Berries and Grapes
• Italian Black and Green Olives
• Goat Milk Brie
• Marinated Mozzarella
• Manchego Cheese
• Mediterranean Gouda
• Vermont Cheddar
• Uncured Salami
• Prosciutto
• Honey
• Pickled Green Beans
• Cornichons
• Almonds
• Sourdough Crackers
• Dark Chocolate Nibs
For gatherings great and small, impress your guests with handcrafted, artisan wine from The California Wine Club. Shop our collection of wines from small family wineries in our wine store and save up to 50% off winery retail.
See more tips to elevate your food and wine pairings.
About The California Wine Club
Discover great wine with The California Wine Club. Since 1990, it’s been our wine club’s mission to help artisan wineries share their small-batch wines with wine enthusiasts everywhere. At The California Wine Club we happen to think these wines simply taste better than the mass-produced wines that dominate store shelves.
We visit the wineries, meet the families and winemakers behind the wines and then invite them to share their favorite wines with our wine club members. Every wine featured in our wine of the month club comes from a real-working winery. Come join our adventure!
