The expression ‘you eat with your eyes first’ is certainly true when creating the ultimate platter. Our friends at Città share their tips on how to curate a cheese platter feast, together with our perfect wine pairings.
1. Perfect pairings
First thing’s first, choose your cheese and wine pairings carefully so the flavours work together in perfect harmony. Luckily in New Zealand, we have artisans who take the same care over crafting exceptional cheeses as we do our wines. Here are some of our local favourites:
Meyer, Cumin Gouda: Pair with Nautilus Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Over the moon, Triple Cream Brie & Creamy Blue: Pair with Nautilus Pinot Noir
Kaikoura cheese, Labneh, served with a drizzle of honey from Marlborough’s oldest honey company J Bush & Sons: Pair with Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc
Pukeatua Peak, Maungatautari hard goats cheese: Pair with Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc
Bubbly is a diverse wine that pairs with many different cheeses, try Nautilus Cuvee.
2. Seasonal sides
In summer, it’s all about ripe stone fruits and berries, in winter time we like to keep our platters seasonal by opting for Tamarillos (which peak in availability around July and August) and persimmons, with baby carrots and parsnips as crudités. Keep the tops of the carrots on to add some greenery to your platter.
3. Mix textures on the plate and table
Tactile wooden boards, cool smooth slate, matte marble and soft linen. Playing with textures on your table makes the experience of eating food more sensual.
Top tip: with soft cheeses, place a square of scrunched-up greaseproof paper underneath to protect your boards, this also adds another element of texture.
4. Opposites attract
Salty with sweet, crunchy with soft, position the accompaniments to your cheeses accordingly so the best pairings are easily grazed. Salted almonds or spicy chutney paired next to milder cheeses, goats cheese drizzled in honey… Yum.
5. Layer platter on platter
Create different heights and more visual interest by layering platters on your table, rather than lining them up next to one another. This will allow your fruits, veggies and nuts to overflow from one platter to the next, creating a feast for the eyes. Arrange linen napkins underneath platters as placemats or to one side for catching spills.
6. More is more
With your platters layered, allow fruits, nuts, crackers and bread to fill in the gaps on your platters, spilling over the sides of platters and making everything look in abundance!
For more tips from Città on how to style your space visit: www.styleyourspace.co.nz
