Wine, Cheese and Olive Oil Tasting Party

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Plan a Wine, Cheese, and Olive Oil Tasting Party!

We love supporting local producers, so this in itself is a great start for a theme. Also, choose from one type of cheese, either cow, goat or sheep, so your guests can distinguish the different flavors. Same for the olive oils, select a number of mono-varietals so guests can taste the variations in the fruit. Throw in a flavored oil for fun!

Tips for your Cheese Display

• Find a large board of some sort to display your cheeses.
• Center the cheese wedges on the board and have some cut up as well so it's easier for people to dig in. Choose cheese with different textures and flavors.
• Add fruit! Grapes, figs, pears and dried fruits all work well. Brushing your grapes with lemon juice and sprinkling them with sugar gives an added touch for holiday presentations.
• Add nuts such as pistachios in small bowls, honey and honeycomb alongside the cheese, well paired jams and a good quality balsamic for drizzling.
• Have a basket of crackers and crostini on hand and you are all set.

Pairing Suggestions

• Fresh cheese and creamy cheese, Apricot Jalapeno Jam, Strawberry Vanilla Jam, Fig Balsamic and dry white and light red wines
• Slightly aged goat cheese-Meyer Lemon Ginger Jam, Honey, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, and light- bodied Merlot
• Brie or Camembert-Carmelized Onion Jam, Cranberry Balsamic and Chardonnay
• Hard cheese such as Manchego, Parmesano Reggiano, Grana Padano- Meyer Lemon Ginger Jam and full bodied red wines such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet
• Blue Cheese or Roquefort- Honey, various dark balsamics with Port and Madeiras
• Sharp Cheddar-Pepper Jams or Merlot Wine Jam with Cabernet or Sauvignon Blanc