How Much Cheese?
Here are some useful guidelines for holding a three- or four-service wine and cheese tasting.
Calculate 1/2 bottle of wine per person for the first three services and 1/4 bottle per person for the last service (liqueur-like white wine, Burgundy or Port).
Generally, each of the first three services includes three varieties of cheese, while the fourth service includes two. However, these numbers can vary according to the size of your event.
In addition to serving a good variety of quality breads, crackers, fruit and nuts, plan for 50 g (2 oz) of fine foods like paté, terrine or cold cuts and approximately 200 g to 250 g (8 oz) of cheese for each guest. Cheese quantities can be distributed as follows:
A few Suggestions
Here are some delicious cheese and wine pairings. Of course, there is nothing stopping you from being creative. Let your taste buds be your guide as you explore the possibilities!
First Service
Start by serving a dry white wine with mild cheeses such as Le Sieur Corbeau des Laurentides,
Le Délice des Appalaches, Saint-Paulin From Here or Chevalier Brie Triple Crème. These cheeses are often accompanied by fine foods like paté, terrine and fresh cold cuts.
Second Service
Continue with a light or medium red wine accompanied by paté or terrine and cheeses with more pronounced flavours, such as Le Douanier, Le Mamirolle, Le Moine, Vaudreuil Brie or L’Empereur.
Third Service
Tempt the taste buds by serving a full-bodied red wine that goes perfectly with fine foods like paté or terrine and cheeses with sharper flavours such as Cru des Érables, Kénogami, Le Curé Labelle or Le Baluchon.
Fourth Service
End your wine and cheese tasting with a liqueur-like white wine, Burgundy or Port accompanied by a 70% cocoa dark chocolate and strong cheeses. A blue, such as Bleu Bénédictin, Le Ciel de Charlevoix or Le Rassembleu, and an extra-strong Cheddar From Here will end your wine and cheese party on a high note.