How to host a wine and cheese party

Which wine?
Everyone agrees that wine is cheese's best friend — and vice versa. (There is a wine merchant's saying that cheese will make any wine taste better.) But there is much disagreement among cheese and wine experts as to matching them. Here are some general guidelines.

• For a varied cheese plate, almost any dry white or red wine is appropriate.
• If serving cheese as an appetizer, sparkling wine or Champagne is always welcome. Dry sherry is good, too.
• “Spicy” white wines, such as Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris, and fruity wines, such as Muscat and Riesling, are consistently cheese-friendly. Choose a lighter, not heavily oaked style of Chardonnay.
• Most red wine is cheese-friendly. Generally, the richer the cheese, the richer the wine. For a cheese plate of mild and medium cheeses, choose a lighter wine, such as Pinot Noir or Gamay; for richer, creamier and full-flavoured cheeses, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Meritage blends are strong choices.
• Serve full-bodied or sweeter wines with after-dinner cheese plates. Late-harvest dessert wines or Sauternes are classic; for extra pizzazz, try a semidry sparkling wine. Port, medium-sweet sherry, Madeira and Marsala pair well, especially with blue cheeses. Save your icewine to drink by itself; it is too intense and sweet for cheese.
• Nonalcoholic alternatives include sparkling or still dry cider; nonalcoholic apple or pear cider mixed with sparkling water; nonalcoholic beer, especially with strong cheese; and mineral water, but don't add lemon or lime wedges.

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