Cheese Please - Fall Edition
Over the weekend, I created a charcuterie basket that was rustic and elegant. Everything was displayed in a large round basket lined with parchment paper and fresh fig leaves that I picked from our neighbors fig tree! I used a large selection of cheeses…a bold blue cheese, decadent St. André, creamy brie, herbed goat cheese, tangy cheddar, and a sweet cheese with apricots. To complement the cheese, I added piles of pistachios, assorted crackers, and neatly folded slices of salami. Fresh and dried fruits - grapes, figs, and apricots, gave the display color and balance, while hot honey, chili fig jam and hot red pepper jelly added a rich, spicy-sweet note for drizzling. You may also enjoy this cheese board!
I made this cheese basket for my son-in-law’s birthday and took it to the party at their house. It was so pretty and delicious…layered and interesting. Everyone noshed while they talked and sipped wine…it was a hit and one of my best displays ever - IMHO!
I photographed the basket on a gorgeous fall tablecloth from Just Darviny (last seen here)! The colors in the tablecloth and the cheese display were perfect together.
I’ll definitely be replicating this basket again for fall entertaining here at home! I’m envisioning a party on the porch in the afternoon or by our outdoor fireplace on a chilly evening. We could even start out on the porch and migrate to the fire as the sun starts to set!
This display is a hearty combination of cheeses, meat and crackers but could be even more of a meal with the addition of several other kinds of meat, mustard and a bigger selection of nuts…spiced pecans, cashews and/or almonds. I personally don’t usually like to add veggies to a charcuterie board, unless they’re pickled and then I always add pimento cheese because the flavors of the vinegary veggies and the creamy pimento cheese is a divine combination (and very Southern)!
What’s a charcuterie board without a glass of wine…?
Below, I’m including a little guide for the best wines to serve with this basket.
Sauvignon Blanc or Sancerre - Crisp and refreshing, it cuts through creamy cheeses like St. André, brie, and herbed goat cheese.
Chardonnay (lightly oaked) – A versatile choice that pairs beautifully with aged cheddar and cheeses with apricots.
Pinot Noir - Elegant and fruit-forward, it complements the salami, figs, and blue cheese without overpowering.
Zinfandel - Bold and jammy, a great partner for chili fig jam, dried apricots, and strong cheeses.
Port or Sauternes – Sweet wines that play wonderfully against the salty blue cheese and hot honey drizzle.
Rosé is also a fantastic addition here and my favorite! A dry rosé, especially one from Provence, pairs beautifully with a spread like this because it’s light, crisp, and versatile. It balances the saltiness of salami and pistachios, highlights the freshness of grapes and figs, and still complements softer cheeses like brie and goat cheese without overwhelming them.
Champagne (or any good sparkling wine) is an excellent choice for this basket. Its lively bubbles and bright acidity refresh the palate between bites, making it a natural match for creamy cheeses like brie and St. André. It also pairs beautifully with salty salami, pistachios, and even the figs and dried apricots. Sparkling wines also add a celebratory feel!
It really has been feeling like fall around here with high temperatures in the mid seventies! I love the still long days and the perfect temperatures…if only it could stay like this for a couple of months! I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of the hot temperatures…
Baldy and I are going to the first UNC Football game tonight with some friends and I’m wearing a sweater with my cowboy boots and jeans which is unheard of for the first game! I’m sure I’ll be posting lots of videos to my Instagram stories so be sure to check it out!
I hope you all have a fabulous first day of September!
Thanks so much for reading!
~XOXO Suzanne