Whenever I buy a bottle of wine that I haven’t tried before, I invite a few wine-loving friends over to enjoy it together and create a charcuterie board. My board usually includes a variety of cured meats and an extensive selection of cheeses. To enhance the flavors and textures, I typically accompany it with sliced bread or crackers, fruits, pickles, spreads, and nuts, and I might also add something sweet.
You can create a charcuterie board for any occasion, such as brunch, picnics, dessert, coffee, chocolate pairings, Mediterranean dishes, or dinner parties. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options available! While boards are commonly served as hors d’oeuvres or appetizers, there are many more elaborate versions that you can explore.
Cost or creativeness
A charcuterie board is a blank canvas for creativity. When assembling a board, I like to include several types of cheese, such as a firm cheese, a semisoft cheese, and a spreadable cheese. The great thing about a charcuterie board is that you can serve a crowd for about the same price as a couple of bags of chips and some dips. By avoiding costly imported meats and cheeses, skipping expensive crackers, and forgoing extravagant spreads, you can still create a visually appealing board filled with homemade dips and colorful variety at a surprisingly low cost.
Whether you spend a lot or not, get creative! Like a well-crafted cheese board, the best charcuterie boards highlight a variety of flavors, textures, and thoughtfully chosen condiment pairings. Charcuterie benefits from acidity, so mustards and pickled vegetables complement nearly any selection you choose.
Accessories
- Cheese Spreaders
- Specialty Knives
- Cocktail Picks
- Serve ware
- Cutlery Servers
- Cheese Markers
- Tongs
- Dip bowls
Boards
Choosing a board to group your foods will help determine how much space you have to work with. Select one that is large enough so that your foods won’t sit crowded. Wooden, metal, granite, or ceramic boards are all suitable options and are easy to clean.
Meat suggestions
Popular types of charcuteries include sliced cured hams (prosciutto, Iberico, Serrano, country ham), cured sausages (salami, chorizo, mortadella), cured beef (bresaola, pastrami) and various types of paté.
Cheese suggestions
Cheese is essential for balancing the different elements of a charcuterie spread. Incorporating a variety of cheese textures adds interest to the board. For instance, a creamy, soft cheese like Brie or Camembert not only contrasts nicely with firmer cheeses but also serves as an attractive addition. Aged cheeses, such as Manchego or Gruyère, bring bold flavors to the mix. Moreover, the strong taste of a sharp cheddar or Gouda can enhance the overall experience of your charcuterie board.
Wines to pair with Charcuterie Boards
Choosing the right wine with a charcuterie board is not that difficult. Salty meats such as prosciutto go well with sparkling wines. They are low in alcohol content, high in acid, and a little sweet to balance out the saltiness. Full-to medium-bodied red wines, like Cabernet, Merlot or Cabernet Fran, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah will pair better with stronger cheeses. It’s best to steer clear of softer cheeses when drinking heavy reds. Spicier meats go well with sweeter wines as the sugar in wine can counteract the spice. Barbaresco will go well with cured meats and piquant cheeses. Low-alcohol wines like Riesling, sparkling wines, Moscato d’Asti, or French Gamay offer greater balance and pair better with most foods including Charcuterie boards.
My simple Pinot Noir board. I used sliced Salami, Camembert, mild Cheddar, Gruyere and strawberries.
Chardonnay theme Charcuterie board consists of Gouda, Fontina, Goat cheese, Brie and Camembert. Kendall Jackson Chardonnay or River Road Chardonnay Russian River Valley Reserve is a good pair
Cabernet small board, Parmesan, Gorgonzola & Gouda, dark Chocolate, currents. Cab suggestions, Justion Cabernet, Decoy, Truth & Valor, Amici, Hess
