Wine and charcuterie boards have earned their place as an entertaining staple, and for good reason—they’re a match made in culinary heaven. Imagine a stunning arrangement of aged cheeses, artisanal salami, roasted nuts, and more, coming together in perfect harmony. The combination of flavors and textures creates a truly unforgettable sensory experience. At St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, our thoughtfully crafted wines are the perfect companions to everything from creamy cheeses to savory cured meats. To help you master the art of charcuterie, we’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide for creating a board that’s sure to wow your guests and tantalize your palate for years to come.
Master the Art of Charcuterie and Wine Pairing
Why are wine and charcuterie boards such a perfect pairing?
It’s all about the way they enhance each other’s flavors and textures. The richness, saltiness, and spice of a charcuterie board’s delicious bites work in harmony with the nuanced profiles of wine, creating a balanced and complementary experience. For example, the salty, savory notes of cheese amplify the fruit-forward aromas of sparkling or light-bodied white wines like Prosecco. Meanwhile, bright, acidic wines like Sauvignon Blanc cut through the creaminess of soft cheeses. Bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon are tamed by the richness of cured meats and the earthiness of nuts. It’s a symphony of tastes where wine elevates the food, and the food enhances the wine—true perfection.
What is Charcuterie? A Delicious French Tradition with Endless Pairing Possibilities
Charcuterie, a French culinary tradition, refers to an assortment of prepared meat products like bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, pâtés, galantines, ballotines, and confit, often crafted primarily from pork. With flavors ranging from mild to bold, charcuterie offers endless pairing possibilities.
Crafting the Perfect Charcuterie Board
Follow our simple step-by-step guide to create a show-stopping charcuterie board paired with wine that’s sure to impress your guests.
Step 1: Choose Your Foundation
Choosing the perfect foundation is the first step to crafting an inviting charcuterie board. Opt for a spacious surface to ensure enough room for all your delicious selections. Wooden boards add a rustic charm, while slate trays offer a sleek, modern touch. For an elegant and sophisticated look, consider a marble slab. Each option provides a unique aesthetic and serves as a stunning backdrop to showcase the colors and textures of your meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. Let your style and theme guide your choice—it’s all about creating a display as visually appealing as it is delicious!
Step 2: Select Your Meats
Choose a variety of cured meats to appeal to diverse palates—velvety prosciutto, savory salami, rich soppressata, or zesty, spicy chorizo are excellent choices.
To enhance the presentation and make serving easy, roll or fold the slices into appealing shapes. For example, prosciutto can be delicately rolled, salami can be arranged in rosettes, and chorizo can be fanned out for visual appeal. The goal is to create a board that is as inviting to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.
Wine Pairing Tip: Our Behler Merlot from Sonoma Valley complements rich, savory meats with its smooth tannins and ripe berry flavors.
Step 3: Add Cheeses
When selecting cheeses, aim for variety to ensure there’s something for everyone. Include a hard cheese like aged cheddar or parmesan for a robust, nutty flavor, a creamy soft cheese such as brie or goat cheese for a rich and smooth option, and a bold blue cheese like gorgonzola to add a tangy and distinctive element. Arrange the cheeses artfully and label them so guests can easily explore each type.
Wine Pairing Tip: Enhance your pairing experience with our Wild Oak Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley, featuring balanced acidity and a buttered oak finish that complements creamy cheeses perfectly. For bold cheeses, try our Old Vines Zinfandel, offering rich spice and jammy notes for a delightful combination.
Step 4: Incorporate Crackers and Bread
Offer an assortment of options such as crisp crackers, rustic baguette slices, and crunchy breadsticks. Choose crackers in varying textures and flavors—like classic water crackers, seeded varieties, or herbed crisps—to pair with different cheeses. Baguette slices, lightly toasted or fresh, provide a sturdy base perfect for layering soft cheeses and spreads. Breadsticks add a unique crunch and are ideal for dipping or wrapping with thinly sliced meats.
Step 5: Include Fresh and Dried Fruits
Create a vibrant and inviting charcuterie board by incorporating a mix of fresh and dried fruits for both color and flavor. Add a burst of freshness with grapes, apple slices, or seasonal figs, which pair beautifully with an array of cheeses and meats. Balance the board with the natural sweetness of dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, or even golden raisins to enhance the depth of flavors. These fruity additions not only brighten the presentation but also offer a delightful contrast to the savory elements of your board, creating a perfectly balanced experience for every bite.
Wine Pairing Tip: The crisp acidity of our Estate Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Valley pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit.
Step 6: Add Nuts and Olives
Incorporate a mix of nuts and briny olives for a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Scatter almonds, walnuts, or pistachios around the board to provide a satisfying crunch and a touch of natural sweetness. Pair these with briny olives, such as Kalamata, Castelvetrano, or mixed marinated varieties, to add a savory and tangy balance that complements the richness of the meats and cheeses.
Wine Pairing Tip: Nuts and olives complement the minerality and structured tannins of our Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
Step 7: Finish with Condiments
Take your charcuterie board to the next level by incorporating small bowls of flavorful accompaniments. Drizzle honey for a touch of sweetness, add a selection of preserves to complement both savory and tangy notes, serve whole-grain mustard for a zesty kick, or include rich tapenades for a Mediterranean flair. These additions not only enhance the complexity of flavors but also create a delightful pairing experience with your wine selection.
Step 8: Arrange and Garnish
Mix vibrant colors, diverse textures, and bold flavors to make your board as visually stunning as it is delicious. Incorporate variety by layering cured meats, cheeses, crackers, and fresh fruits, ensuring a balance of sweet and savory options. Add finishing touches with garnishes like sprigs of rosemary, thyme, or edible flowers to infuse elegance and a hint of freshness.
Step 9: Select Your Wines
Create an unforgettable charcuterie board by offering a carefully curated selection of St. Francis wines, showcasing the vibrant flavors that Sonoma County has to offer. Select a range of wines—smooth reds like a rich Cabernet Sauvignon, crisp whites such as a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, and perhaps even a luxurious Port for a sweet finish. Each wine complements a variety of cured meats, cheeses, and accompaniments, from the mild notes of Brie and prosciutto to the bolder flavors of aged cheddar and spicy salami. This thoughtful wine and charcuterie pairing will cater to diverse palates and elevate the tasting experience, inviting guests to savor the best of both food and wine. Whether hosting a casual get-together or a festive celebration, this pairing offers a delightful way to explore Sonoma’s signature wines in style.
Pour your wines, let your guests mingle, and savor the perfect harmony of flavors created by your charcuterie board and St. Francis wines. Cheers!
Unlock the Perfect Charcuterie and Wine Pairing with the Icon Sip & Savor Gift Set
Master the art of charcuterie and wine pairing with the Icon Sip & Savor gift set from St. Francis Winery. This thoughtfully curated package is designed to elevate your culinary journey and introduce you to the rich flavors of Sonoma. It includes one of our two Icon Collection wines, the 2019 ‘Eletto’ Heritage Vines, Sonoma County, paired with the finest local offerings: slow-cured ‘Zest & Zin’ Salami from Journeyman Meat Co., a sleek branded slate charcuterie plate, and a stainless steel salami and cheese knife. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing the St. Francis experience with someone special, this festive set is the perfect way to get started on your charcuterie adventure.
