There’s an art to the kind of entertaining that feels both intentional and effortless—where carefully selected wines meet thoughtfully curated bites, and conversation flows as freely as the evening’s first pour. At Bonterra, we love how this inspired approach can transform an ordinary Wednesday into something extraordinary.
Let’s skip the formal dinner party playbook tonight and embrace the joy of grazing, discovering new flavor combinations around an intentionally crafted Bonterra wine and charcuterie night. Having perfected the formula for elegantly laid-back gatherings (because yes, casual can feel special), we’re delighted to share our tips for hosting a simpler, lower-stress soirée that still feels extra and intentional.
The Wine Foundation
Does food pairing matter with wine? Absolutely—it’s these small, intentional pairings that transform a casual evening into a memorable sensory experience. A well-planned wine selection—just like an expertly curated playlist—sets the tone for your wine and charcuterie night, guiding guests through an inspired sensory experience. Starting with lighter wines such as sparkling, whites and rosé allows everyone to ease into the evening, and enhances the flavors of milder cheeses and fresh accompaniments.
As the evening progresses to bolder, more intensely flavored wine pairing, your selections will invite conversation and exploration among guests. This thoughtful approach is especially rewarding when incorporating seasonal wine choices that reflect the flavors and mood of the time of year.
Starting with Brightness
Our Bonterra Rosé, served at 48-50°F, offers the perfect opening for your wine and charcuterie night with its bright acidity and subtle fruit notes. The wine’s versatility complements fresh chèvre and prosciutto while standing up to the delectable brine of Castelvetrano olives and the sweetness of fresh fruits. Think of this as your opening act—a way to make your guests comfortable, to open their palates, and to prepare them for the progression to come.
Transitioning to Whites
Our Bonterra Chardonnay elegantly bridges the gap between the piquant, lighter-bodied goat cheese and richer, full-bodied creamy cheeses. Served at an optimal wine temperature of 48-52°F, our bright Chardonnay showcases balanced acidity and subtle spice notes, making it particularly well-suited for pairing with triple cream cheeses such as Brie and savory pâté. The white wine’s fuller body complements heartier foods while harmonizing with typical cheese board sides such as honey, creating a seamless transition along your journey.
Bold Red Expressions
As the evening progresses, our Bonterra Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon bring structure and complexity to fuller-flavored offerings. At its ideal serving temperature of 60-65°F, Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon shines when paired with aged manchego or gouda, artisanal salumi, and spiced nuts. Bold and structured, this popular red wine cuts through the richness of fatty cured meat while enhancing the crystalline texture of aged cheeses.
How to Style the Perfect Charcuterie Board
A well-styled charcuterie board delivers variety and harmony, along with visual flair. Understanding the progression of flavors allows you to create a compelling—and memorable—tasting experience.
Cheese Selection
A successful cheese board is an artful composition that harmonizes a variety of textures and flavors, creating a detailed sensory experience. An ideal selection might include an array of soft, medium-hard, and hard cheeses, plus a blue cheese, each contributing its unique character to the ensemble. At Bonterra, we like to begin with freshness, offering young cheeses that boast clean, bright flavors. To wit, consider an organic chèvre (Sauvignon Blanc is a classic match) or fresh mozzarella to open the palate.
From there, move on to soft-ripened cheeses like triple cream Brie or Camembert, which offer layered flavors and hedonistic richness. Aged cheeses such as a 24-month manchego or mature cheddar introduce crystalline textures and deep umami notes. And finally, a carefully chosen blue cheese, properly aged and served alongside a sweet foil to its saltiness—such as jelly, quince, or honey—rounds out your offerings. Serve all cheeses at room temperature.
Charcuterie Fundamentals
Select cured meats that offer varying textures and flavor intensities. Begin with prosciutto, which when sliced ultra-thin provides a delicate entry point. Italian-style salami offers robust flavor and firmer texture. Next, consider a zesty Spanish chorizo, celebrated worldwide for its unique seasoning—most notably smoky paprika that adds depth of flavor.
To add an element of unctuous complexity, include French-style pâté. This delectable spread embodies the artistry of charcuterie, is rich in flavor and perfect for slathering on crusty bread or pairing with delicately pickled cornichons. Pro tip: remove the meat from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before guests arrive to allow each selection to reveal its full character (overly cold temperature masks flavor).
Essential Accompaniments
The supporting elements on your board do double duty as colorful decor and accompaniments to your charcuterie. Fresh fruits bring acid and brightness, while dried fruits offer concentrated sweetness. As an organic winery, we naturally recommend organic produce. Spanish Marcona almonds, with their gorgeous shell-like shape and delicate, buttery texture, deliver a desirable crunch; candied pecans provide a sweet counterpoint to the savory elements on your board.
Local honey and preserves such as fig jam bridge flavor gaps between wines and cheeses, while fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary add aromatic complexity and visual appeal.
Understanding Temperature and Timing
Details matter, and temperature profoundly affects both wines and foods. Pull cheeses from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving, and keep wines at their ideal serving temperatures. Here is a quick guide to the best temperatures to serve your wines on charcuterie night:
- Sparkling and Light Whites: 43-48°F
- Fuller Whites and Rosé: 48-52°F
- Light to Medium Reds: 55-60°F
- Full-Bodied Reds: 60-65°F
How to Curate Your Experience
Here are a few essential tips for curating your perfect charcuterie party:
Position in the Room
At Bonterra, we believe your charcuterie deserves the perfect backdrop. Skip the crowded kitchen counter and reflect on flow; position your spread where conversation naturally happens. A generously-sized living room or open-plan kitchen lets guests move effortlessly. The goal? A space that invites both grazing and lingering, where everyone can find their perfect spot to settle in with a glass and a bite.
Planning Your Portions
Plan for about two ounces of each cheese and charcuterie per person, and keep additional portions readily available rather than overwhelming the initial presentation. This allows guests to sample liberally while maintaining the freshness of all offerings. Back to that detailed hospitality thing: better to have back-up than an overcrowded charcuterie platter.
Styling the Scene
Let your personality shine with tableware and decor decisions, leaning into the relaxed vibe of the evening by mixing textures and color palettes. Spring calls for cool marble surfaces against gauzy linens, paired with ceramics in the palest shades imaginable. When autumn arrives, switch to richly grained wood boards and moody-hued table linens—think deep navy or wine-soaked burgundy.
Add seasonal blooms for that perfect finishing touch. After all, it’s these thoughtful details that transform an elegantly simple charcuterie spread into something worth lingering over.
Wine Tasting Tips for Guests
We recommend inviting guests to savor each wine, sipping slowly and noting flavors. Sharing a brief overview of your suggested progression for sampling – starting with lighter a white wine and rosé, then progressing to medium-bodied reds and fuller reds, with suggested pairings – creates a useful roadmap while allowing room for experimentation. Offer plenty of water to ensure hydration, spittoons to allow guests to sample and dispose of wines with ease, and neutral crackers or sliced baguette to cleanse palates and fill bellies.
Notable Wine & Charcuterie Combinations
- Bonterra Pinot Noir or Rosé with prosciutto, speck, soppressata – The wines’ acidity perfectly balances with milder meats that deliver savoriness over spiciness.
- Bonterra Chardonnay with Bresaola, black truffle salami, and country pâté – Our Chardonnay’s subtle oak notes and bolder body hold up to fuller-flavored meats.
- Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon with Aged Manchego – Our Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure supports aged cheese’s intensity, while the creamy cheese softens the wine’s tannins.
- Bonterra Zinfandel with Aged Gouda: A more unexpected charcuterie pairing, Zinfandel’s bold fruit flavors and peppery finish partner well with the nutty, caramelized notes of aged Gouda.
At Bonterra, we toast to intentional entertaining that delights. Here’s to elevating your Wednesday evening—or any evening—with a delicious charcuterie exploration for your guests. We invite you to select Bonterra wines to deliver perfect pairings for your detailed evening.
