Book Club Pairing Platter (Printable)

An elegant gathering platter with curated cheeses, fruits, nuts, and fresh rosemary for flavor and presentation.

# What You'll Need:

→ Section 1: To Pair with Chardonnay (White Wine)

01 - 3.5 oz triple-cream brie, sliced
02 - 3.5 oz Gruyère cheese, cubed
03 - 1 small bunch green grapes
04 - 1 crisp apple, sliced
05 - 1.75 oz Marcona almonds

→ Section 2: To Pair with Pinot Noir (Red Wine)

06 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cubed
07 - 3.5 oz smoked gouda, sliced
08 - 2.5 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
09 - 2.5 oz sliced salami
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes

→ Section 3: To Pair with Sparkling Wine or Rosé

11 - 3.5 oz herbed goat cheese, formed into a log
12 - 2.5 oz dried apricots
13 - 1.75 oz roasted pistachios
14 - ½ cup mixed olives
15 - 1 small cucumber, sliced

→ For Serving and Garnish

16 - 1 baguette, sliced
17 - 1 box assorted crackers
18 - 3 to 4 fresh rosemary sprigs (for section dividers)
19 - Honey or fig jam (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Place a large platter or serving board and arrange fresh rosemary sprigs to segment it into three separate sections.
02 - Position the brie, Gruyère, green grapes, apple slices, and Marcona almonds neatly within the first section.
03 - Place aged cheddar, smoked gouda, prosciutto, salami, and cherry tomatoes within the second section.
04 - Set the herbed goat cheese log, dried apricots, roasted pistachios, mixed olives, and cucumber slices into the third section.
05 - Fill remaining spaces on the platter with baguette slices and assorted crackers to complete the display.
06 - Place small bowls of honey or fig jam nearby for added flavor, if desired.
07 - Present immediately, ensuring clear separation of sections by rosemary sprigs to maintain visual appeal and aroma.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing, but takes just 25 minutes—the ultimate impressive shortcut
  • Every section tells a story through wine pairing, turning snacking into a mini education
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs do double duty as beautiful dividers and aromatic conversation starters
  • It adapts to anyone's preferences, whether they're vegetarian, adventurous, or particular about their cheese
02 -
  • The rosemary sprigs are not decoration—they're flavor ambassadors. As people reach across them, they release their oils into the air, subtly influencing how they taste everything. This is kitchen magic.
  • Never add your baguette slices too far in advance if your kitchen is warm. They dry out faster than you'd think, and a stale cracker ruins the whole experience. Slice them 30 minutes before, or ask yourself if room-temperature is really so bad.
  • Slice your apples last. I mean truly last, maybe three minutes before people arrive. The oxidation is inevitable, but delaying it those final minutes keeps them bright and fresh-looking. Lemon juice helps, but timing is everything.
03 -
  • Room temperature is your friend. Take cheeses out 30 minutes before serving so they're soft and flavor-forward, not tight and muted.
  • If you're making this ahead, assemble everything except the apples and baguette, then cover with plastic wrap. Add those final elements just before guests arrive for maximum freshness and visual appeal.
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