Anyone who knows me (or even talks to me for half an hour) will know I love wine and cheese. I even have a tattoo of a raccoon zonked out on those 2 things on my right arm. And this is the perfect time of the year to indulge in good wine, good food, and great company, so why not take a closer look at how to build a winter cheeseboard that’ll wow your guests? Let’s jump in.
🧀 Build the perfect winter cheeseboard
If you know me you’ll also know I love cheeseboards. I love cheeseboards so much that even though I’m technically milk intolerant, I will eat all the cheese. I’ll take the hit. It’s worth it for the beauty that is cheese. Moving swiftly on—here’s my guide to building a bangin’ cheeseboard this season.
1. Choose your cheeses
Let’s get right into the good stuff. You might be tempted to go with all your favourites—and that’s fine. If its was a board for me, myself, and I, I’d probably go for something like this:
Baked camembert
A stinky roquefort
Aged gouda
A creamy goat’s cheese
But if you’re preparing a cheeseboard for guests, it pays to put a bit more thought into things. You want to cater to a wider variety of tastes and preferences, so make sure there’s something on that board to suit everyone. Blue cheeses are a hot topic, for example, so you might not want to let strong flavours like that dominate the board.
"Be thoughtful with your pairings. You don’t want to overpower anything on the board—for example, you wouldn’t pair 4 super strong cheeses on the same board and let them compete. You want to have a good variety; give people the option to start with a nice, mellow cheese then build the intensity with blue cheeses and the like.” —Alex Wynn, Cheese King at Otto
2. Winter fruits and preserves
Fruits don’t just add colour and visual appeal to your board—they provide a nice ‘break’ from the intense flavours of the cheeses, and the sweetness balances out the savoury side of things too.
Grapes, figs, raspberries, blackberries, or a few apple slices aren't just for show—they bring a burst of freshness that plays off the different cheesy flavours.
3. A touch of texture
I’m talking crackers, crusty sourdough bread, celery sticks, and the like. Add a touch of texture and give your various cheeses and chutneys a little platform to live on with these texture-changing additions.
4. Add your garnish
I don’t like too much faff on my own cheeseboards, but for the festive season you might want to give your presentation some extra oomph. That’s where garnishes (i.e. things you don’t actually get to eat) to your board.
You can transform your cheeseboard into an edible winter wonderland with:
Rosemary sprigs: Fragrant and visually appealing, rosemary adds a touch of elegance. They also look like little pine trees.
Edible flowers: Delicate blooms add a pop of color and a hint of whimsy.
Candied orange peel or dehydrated orange slices: A sweet and citrusy accent that complements various cheeses.
5. Wine pairings
Obviously, drink what you want to drink. But kinow this: the right wine pairings can really elevate the flavours on your board.
Roll with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or buttery Chardonnay for your softies like Brie or Camembert—the zing cuts through that creamy goodness. Feeling some Gouda or Gruyère vibes? A smooth Merlot, Malbec (my favourite) or Pinot Noir will keep things mellow and fruity.
And if you're rocking the hardcore stuff like sharp cheddar or blue cheese, hit a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or a spicy Syrah. It's all about finding your groove and enjoying the ride, so mix and match until you've got the perfect combo for your taste buds.
Oh, and if you or your guests don’t drink, go for a crisp sparkling water with a wedge of lemon. Voilà, an alcohol-free palate cleanser.
6. Pleasing presentation
Arrange your cheeseboard with care, balancing colors and textures. Mix and match shapes and sizes for an appealing visual display. Don't forget to provide cheese knives and toothpicks for easy serving.
Have a cozy (cheesy) time and share your favourite cheese/cheese board elements in the comments. I like to add some cured meats and sourdough bread to mine!
I can live without wine and cheese as an event. I like wine, and some cheese I can't get enough of, but son't see the draw,
But a tattoo of a raccoon (doing just about anything) is awesome. Respect.