You don’t have to be an expert to host a wine and cheese party. Learn how to do it with these ideas for wines, cheeses and appetizers from Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits.
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits is the leading wholesaler and retailer of premium wines, beers and spirits in the Cayman Islands. Customers can also order online and have their purchases delivered to their home, office, vacation villa, or anywhere else on Island for free!
Place an online order before 3:00pm, and we’ll deliver it on the same day (Monday through Saturday). Or, you may choose to pick up your order in our flagship store on Shedden Road. If we receive your order before 6:00pm, it will be available for pick-up until the store closes at 7:00pm.
Taste, Experiment & Enjoy!
It can be fun to sample a range of wines with your cheeses, but each person’s palate is different and you may find that you like certain pairings better than others. To find the right combination:
- Take a bite of the cheese by itself to assess its taste.
- Take another bite and hold it in your mouth with the wine.
- Determine if you like the match-up.
Bleu Cheese: Blue cheeses are pungent and salty. Opposites attract, so the sweetness of a Riesling or Port is the perfect complement.
Brie: Brie is a soft, creamy cheese that comes in many varieties, each with its own slight flavor variations. It pairs well with a crisp, acidic wine, like Pinot Blanc, as well as with Champagne.
Camembert: Rich, creamy cheeses like Camembert are perfectly balanced with the blueberry flavor and low tannins of Cabernet Franc.
Cheddar: As a harder and sharper cheese, cheddar can handle the tannic strength of red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon can draw out the cheese’s bold flavors. Zinfandel is another great pairing.
Feta: You will need a bright red wine that will match feta’s saltiness. Beaujolais is the answer.
Gruyère: This cheese has a delightfully nutty, spicy, full flavor. It works well with a medium-bodied Pinot Noir as well as a crisp, citrusy Pinot Grigio.
Manchego: Manchego is Spain’s most famous cheese and has a zesty sweet flavor. The quintessential Spanish wines, Rioja or Tempranillo, are great companions.
Monterey Jack: This classic American cheese craves a wine that’s on the lighter, fruitier side, such as Merlot.
Mozzarella: This fresh, milky cheese is a great companion for light, dry, sparkling Champagne, but Pinot Grigio is another good match.
Swiss: Swiss cheeses are a good match for light or fruity red wines, such as Beaujolais, Grenache, red Burgundy, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Appetizer Suggestions
In addition to the cheeses, here are a few appetizer recommendations to round out your party:
- Prepare a few formal appetizers and fill out the rest of your table with olives, nuts, and cured meats.
- Fresh fruit will complement the white wines.
- Heartier appetizers, such as cocktail meatballs or grilled vegetables, will complement the reds.
If you are wondering how to host a wine and cheese party but have no idea where to start, the experts at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits on Grand Cayman have some brilliant recommendations! Visit our convenient liquor stores in George Town, West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, Savannah and East End for all the wine you need.
