Parmigiano Reggiano

Throw A Wine And Cheese Party To Show How Creative You Can Be

Does throwing a wine and cheese party scare or intimidate you? Well, don't worry. I am going to help you have the party which your friends will talk about. I'll help you pick out three or four different cheeses and a few bottles of reasonably priced wines to serve with them. We will also choose great breads and fruits to complement.

Let's start with the display plate. Since most cheese is light in color I like to use a black platter for the cheese and fruit.

Now let's say you want to put out a platter of European cheeses, well your selection could go like this:

o Parmigiano Reggiano -- Considered by many to be the world's greatest cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano from the Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy has a delicately nutty, mouth-filling flavor and a texture that literally melts on your tongue.

o Vignotte Triple Cream Brie -- A creamy-smooth, rich cheese with a splendid buttery flavor.

o Goat Log de Bellay -- This French chévre log has a fresh flavor with a distinctive tang along with a smooth, moist and spreadable consistency.

o Colston Basset Stilton -- Often cited as the finest of England's exceptional blue Stilton cheeses, Colston Basset is full-flavored and rich with a moist, crumbly texture Parmigiano Reggiano.

Reasonably priced wines which I feel would go well with this platter are:

o Cabernet Sauvignon - Seventy Five Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

o Syrah-Shiraz - Thorn Clarke Shotfire Ridge Shiraz 2005

o Italian Chianti - Canonica A Cerreto Chianti Classico 2002

o Pinot Grigio -- Lorenzon Rive Di Giarre Pinot Grigio 2005

o Port - Warre's 10 Year Tawny Port Optima

There are many other cheese and wine choices and we will cover them in the next few articles.