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If there's one plate of food that says “party,” it's the cheese platter.

Attractive and satisfying, a cheese plate is the perfect starter for any social gathering. Your co-op deli offers a fabulous made-to-order cheese platter, but putting one together is also easier than you might think! Here are some tips:

The cheese platter

Serve cheese at room temperature! The cold from the refrigerator inhibits its flavor, so take your cheese out half an hour before guests arrive to allow it to “bloom.”
Provide a serving utensil for each variety of cheese.
Serve a selection of three to five contrasting cheeses. Think different tastes, colors, and textures, like mild with robust (Brie with blue cheese), fresh with aged (Boursin with aged Gruyere), or soft with hard cheeses (chevre with Parmesan).
Create a themed tray by offering cheeses from one region or source, or showcase an array of cheeses made from different milks (cow, goat, sheep).

Accompaniments

Whether you serve them individually or on the same platter, some foods are perfect complements to cheese. These include:

Fresh and dried fruits
Crostini, flatbread, and other crackers
Hearty and crusty breads
Olives
Nuts

To create an antipasto platter, include a mix of marinated vegetables (we love Jeff's Naturals!) and cured meats.

Wine and beer cheese pairings

In general, a wine that comes from the same geographic area as the cheese will be a good match. Here are some other pairings:

Goat cheeses and dry red wines
Cheddars with sweet wines and pale and brown ales
Fresh, medium, and hard cheeses with crisp, fruity red or white wine
Cheeses with bloomy rinds (like Brie) and fruity red wines or light, dry champagnes
Swiss cheeses with dark lagers, bocks, and Oktoberfest beers
Feta and wheat beers
Sweet cheeses with fruity beers