Make a Perfect Charcuterie Board
Your friends are on their way, the wine is chilling, and you want to put together something that feels special and brings everyone to the table. That’s when a generous charcuterie board becomes the star – a mix of meats, cheese, fruit, and crunchy bites that instantly set a warm, inviting mood.
The first layer is always the cured meats, because they set the tone for the whole board. Bresaola, with its deep beef flavour, is perfect for opening the spread. Add thin slices of beef prosciutto and delicate ribbons of smoked chicken breast, arranging them into loose folds or small rosettes for a fuller look.
The easiest way to please everyone is to combine soft and hard cheese. Hard cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, or Grana Padano pair beautifully with cured beef, while grapes, pears, or apples add a fruity lift to their sharper notes. Brie and Camembert spread effortlessly over a slice of bread and match well with figs, pears, or raspberries. You can also add spreads- ajvar, fig or plum jam, and honey.
Fruit always brings freshness to the board. White grapes complement savoury bites like parmesan and Grana Padano. Figs naturally pair with Gorgonzola, while ripe peaches work beautifully with Camembert. Strawberries and blackberries are a favourite with Brie, adding a gentle tartness that rounds out its creaminess.
Texture ties everything together. Toasted bread slices, grissini, or thin crackers act as the perfect base for whatever combination you assemble: cheese, a drop of jam, a walnut and a sip of wine follows naturally after.
For wine, Merlot pairs well with a wide range of cured meats and hard cheeses. Pinot Noir is a softer option that complements creamy cheeses. Among whites, dry Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio highlight the fruity elements of the board, especially grapes, pears, and apples.
Bring everyone together and enjoy playing with flavours, your charcuterie board can look different every time: sometimes more fruit, sometimes more cheese, sometimes an extra layer of cured meats!