After living in Paris and doing as the Parisians do, the charcuterie board became a staple in my repertoire. It is the perfect pre-dinner snack or it can be a whole meal in itself depending on your appetite!
The spring and summer seasons are upon us, so it’s time to enjoy rosé and white wine nights with the perfect seasonal snack pairings. I love hosting happy hours or wine nights with a carefully crafted charcuterie board that pairs well with the undertones of the wine. White and Rosé have similar undertones, which pair well with warm-weather flavors.
HOW TO CRAFT YOUR CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Creating a perfect charcuterie board is really up to your personal tastes, but there are a few main items which should always be present on your board:
- Board: wood, marble, stone or agate, whatever your preference! Just make sure it is food-safe.
- Protein: sliced deli meats like prosciutto, hard salami, paté or nuts
- Cheese: buy these from your cheese counter, you will want to go for a mixture of hard and soft cheeses with both light and strong flavors. I love mixing cheeses from cow’s milk, goat cheese or sheep cheese. If dairy is not in your diet, opt for a vegan cheese spread.
- Fruit: these should compliment the wine you are drinking and should include a variety of sweet flavors like berries, melons, peaches or tomatoes. Also include some dried fruits like apricots or figs to add some texture.
- Condiments: these are key to a flavorful bite! Use a mixture of sweet and savory spreads like fruit preserves, raw honey, whole-grain mustard, balsamic glaze or bruschetta. Add some tanginess with options like caper berries, artichoke hearts or pickles
- Crunch: this can be fresh or toasted bread, crackers or plant-based crisps.
Now that you know the basics, let’s get to the perfect pairings for Rosé and White Wine Charcuterie Boards!
THE ROSÉ BOARD
Rosé wine is crisp and fresh with herbal and fruity undertones like berries, watermelon, and citrus. Pair your favorite rosé with flavors that blend well with the undertones like:
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Melon with fresh basil, prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella
- crispy tomato basil bruschetta
- Artichoke hearts
- Fresh and mild cheeses like brie and soft goat cheeses
- Honey, berry preserves or balsamic glaze
THE WHITE BOARD
White wine is light, crisp and buttery with floral and herbal aromas and fruity undertones like peach, citrus, apples and pears. Prepare your white charcuterie board with flavors that compliment its undertones like:
- Sliced peaches, pears or berries
- Chopped artichoke spread with basil and extra virgin olive oil and plant-based crisps
- Thinly sliced Varzi salami or a paté spread
- Buttery Semi-soft and hard cheeses like aged goat cheese, parmesan, or mahon
- Caper berries or green olives
- Whole-grain mustard, honey or peach preserves
- Dried figs
Ok, so you know the ingredients, now grab a board and start preparing your perfect charcuterie spread and a bottle (or two) of wine!
If you’re stuck at home like me, this is a fun snack to make for a virtual happy hour with friends over Zoom! I’m not letting social distancing bring me down, so let’s stay at home and have fun too! Grab a table and chair and set up a zoom outdoors with your laptop so it feels like you’re grabbing drinks at a new spot in town instead of sitting on the same spot on your couch stuck at home. Cheers!
