The perfect wine evening
Lockdown and isolation - hardly anyone is unaffected by this. Our well-being is suffering as a result of the current situation. This makes self-care - actively looking after our own needs and well-being - particularly important. This can mean something different for everyone:
Some people do sports like yoga, others relax by playing board games. Personally, I prefer to relax with a nice evening of wine. And I don’t just mean an evening in front of the TV with a glass of wine. I mean consciously enjoying my favorite wine in combination with savory and sweet snacks that make the evening a highlight. I’ll show you how you can create a well-stocked snack platter in your own home, without the need for a restaurant.
1. The perfect cheese platter
A varied selection of cheeses is a must for me. Hardly anything goes so well with almost all types of wine. The only problem is that there are numerous types of cheese, so the choice is almost endless. My recommendation for the ideal combination of cheeses is:
- A young Gouda, which soothes the taste buds with its mild flavor
- A home-made cream cheese, e.g. with red onions and leek
- Emmental, a hard cheese made from cow’s milk
- Camembert, a soft cheese made from cow’s milk
If you like to be a little more experimental, you can change the combination a little and add a Pecorino, a hard cheese made from sheep’s milk, or a Bleu d’Auvergne, a mild blue cheese made from cow’s milk.
2. The right cold cuts platter
For the meat lovers among us, the following hearty delicacies are also a must on a platter.
- Various types of salami from different parts of the world, such as chorizo and salchichon
- Small cabanossi
- Wafer-thin slices of Parma ham
3. Nuts
Small treats such as nuts are often forgotten on the perfect snack platter. This is a mistake, as many different types of nuts complement cheese very well and provide a flavorful contrast to the creaminess of the cheese. This results in a great taste experience.
- Pistachios
- Hazelnuts
- Walnuts
- Pecan nuts
A little tip from me: briefly roast the nuts in a pan without oil beforehand. This makes the different types of nuts even more aromatic and crunchy.
4. Fruit
Fruit is particularly suitable for wines that are perfect for sweet side dishes and snacks. But fruit – as well as nuts – are also suitable for classic wines to enhance the cheese or cold cuts platter. There are no limits here, but my favorites are
- Figs
- Grapes
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Physalis
You can refine all the platters with various crackers, baguettes and sauces, such as mustard, jam and honey. If you love Mediterranean food, you can also add stuffed vine leaves or various antipasti.
All these things together create the ideal snack platter for your wine evening, and now nothing stands in the way.
