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Create a Legendary Charcuterie

Layering flavour, colour and texture will make your holiday charcuterie look fabulous, but the cheese and wine will make it unforgettable.

By Jessica Kirby /

Charcuterie boards are the ultimate flavour and visual delight—savory, sweet, aromatic and palate balancing morsels arranged to pique the senses and bring people together in the spirit of sharing.

Principle Fine Wines Master of Wine, Elsa Macdonald, says the focus should be on creating a visual, as well as culinary, masterpiece.

“Matching ‘patterned’ cheese and crackers—both have flecks of contrasting colours—satisfies the idea that we first eat with our eyes,” she says. “Worry less about the rules of how things ‘go together’ and select items that simply bring you delight.”

To create the ultimate charcuterie, gather small dishes—preferably in neutral colours with the odd splash of colour—a board or boards for serving, and a fine mix of savory and sweet ingredients, including meats, fruits, herbs, nuts, and sauces. But, of course, the entire creation is anchored by cheese and fine wine to pair it with.

From classic cheddars and nutty Beemster to fresh goat cheese and creamy gouda, a robust selection, paired with two time-honoured classic wines—the Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fumé Blanc—is the foundation of charcuterie success.

Check out this video on assembling the perfect culinary centrepiece and see below for a list of ingredients we think will wow your guests all year long.

Our Recipe:

Cheeses:

Pairing with Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Asiago, Gouda, Beemster, Apenzeller, Old Cheddar, and Blue Cheese

Pairing with Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fumé Blanc – Goat Cheese, Tuscan Pecorino (sheep’s milk), Gouda, and Cheddar

Meats:

Mortadella
Salami
Prosciutto

Savoury:

Kalamata Olives
Tangerine & Chili Green Olives
Sicilian Marinated Olives

Sweet:

Figs
Apples
Mandarin Oranges
Grapes
Blueberries
Raspberries

Nuts:

Marcona Almonds
Walnuts
Dark Chocolate Almond Bark

Crackers & Bread:

Fig & Olive Oil Crackers
Cheese Crostini
Baguette

Sauces:

Fig & Walnut Wine Jam
Peach & Jalapeno Jam

Herbs:

Rosemary sprigs
Basil leaves

Master your charcuterie board by pairing your favourite cheeses with the Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Napa Valley Fumé Blanc. Purchase your Robert Mondavi wines at Everything Wine, BCLiquor and other select wine shops this holiday season.

Visit | www.everythingwine.ca | BC Liquor

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Wondering how to pair Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Wines with 11 decadent cheeses? Master Your Charcuterie here >>