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Hosting a Successful Wine & Cheese

canadian cheese

By //  by Candace Sampson 50 Comments

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Of all the types of parties I like to host, my favourite is the classic Wine & Cheese, or Cheese & Wine, depending on how you rank their importance. If you’re Canadian though there’s no doubt that cheese comes first, with some of the best cheeses in the world made in Canada.

canadian cheese

This iconic party is popular among hostesses from coast to coast because it virtually guarantees party success. Put simply, there is no bigger crowd pleaser than Canadian cheese. (Hint: look for the 100% Canadian Milk symbol whenever you buy cheese. It confirms the Canadian origin of the milk, renowned for it’s high quality, purity and taste.)

The hardest part of planning this type of party is choosing the cheese! With over 300 types of Canadian cheese to choose from, you may find your head spinning at the cheese counter. To make it simpler, I try to choose one or two cheeses from each of these categories of cheese; fresh, soft, semi-­‐soft, blue, washed­‐rind, firm, hard, farmhouse and organic. Don’t be shy in asking for a sample either from the person helping you. (sampling, by the way, is the most fun of the whole party planning process). You’ll need about 250g of total cheese per person for this type of party. If you’re like me though, you won’t worry about having leftovers on hand. Canadian cheese never goes to waste in my house.

canadian cheese

Once I have my cheese picked out I pick up an assortment of fine crackers, grapes and apples, confits, jellies and nuts. Two of my favourite things to serve with cheese are a Red Pepper Jelly and a Fig Jam. I find these to always be the perfect compliment to strong cheeses.

About 45 minutes to an hour before my guests arrive, I take the cheese out of the refrigerator (except fresh cheeses) to let it come to room temperature. Don’t get eager and do it too far in advance though, or your cheese will be runny. Make sure that there is separation between different types of cheeses as well so that flavours don’t mix. This is a great place to use those grapes! Also make sure that each type of cheese has it’s own knife.

canadian cheese

Of course, if you really want to plan a successful Wine & Cheese then you need only visit the same place I do for all my information, allyouneedischeese.ca. This website, brought to you by Dairy Farmers of Canada, has everything you could possibly need to help you plan a successful get‐together. From how to present stunning cheese platters to pairing your wines, you’ll find everything you need here.

canadian cheese

Don’t just visit when you’re planning a party though. Canadian cheese makes any dish delicious and you’ll find hundreds of recipes to please your family, maybe even a few for all that extra cheese you couldn’t stop yourself from buying.

 

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Food & Drink, Sponsored Posts, Tips & Advice, Uncategorized Tagged With: Canadian Cheese, cheese, party, wine

About Candace Sampson

Candace is founder and editor-in-chief of Life in Pleasantville which isn't half as fancy as it sounds. You can find her sharing travel stories on What She Said Radio and on CTV Ottawa Morning Live.

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Comments

  1. peady

    March 6, 2014 at 9:07 am

    I would like to go back in time, put on a pretty flowery, spring dress and attend this “Wine and Cheese” (priorities!) party of yours!

    Everything looks so pretty and delicious! I LOVE that gorgeous “tree” board! Perfection.

    I am also now coveting your awesome kitchen clock! I *need* that clock!

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 6, 2014 at 9:42 am

      IKEA my friend. 😉 You’ll find that clock at IKEA. And the board I found at Chapters at Christmas time.

      Reply
      • peady

        March 6, 2014 at 10:08 am

        Waaah! :'( Did you know that Halifax LOST its IKEA? Yup. True story.

        It was one of the first IKEAs in Canada and IKEA left. Boo hoo!

        Oh, Chapters has the best things in their “gift” area of the store! Gorgeous!

        Reply
        • Candace Derickx

          March 6, 2014 at 10:17 am

          You could order online? Is this enabling?

          Reply
          • peady

            March 6, 2014 at 10:23 am

            I could!! 😀

            It is. 😉

            *tiptoes quietly towards IKEA’s website* *shhh*

  2. Alison Pentland

    March 6, 2014 at 10:33 am

    I also visit http://www.cheesehound.ca for great tasting notes and pairing ideas for Canadian cheeses. LoVe the white subway tile! We are building an arts and crafts home and have lots of it in the bathrooms and the kitchen soon to be.

    Reply
  3. aordinarylife

    March 6, 2014 at 10:48 am

    I love anything cheese related. While I’m not in Canada all of these varieties seem so wonderful. I wonder if they ship to the US?

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 6, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      I have a friend who found some Canadian cheese in her local grocery store in Florida. I would ask at your deli counter.

      Reply
  4. Brandi

    March 6, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Cheese is the BEST when entertaining 🙂 Love all the different varieties and flavours. It pairs so well with almost anything. I would love to host a wine and cheese party some day 🙂 So fun to get dressed up and enjoy with friends!

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 6, 2014 at 1:18 pm

      It is incredibly versatile and I love that you can never get bored of it!

      Reply
  5. Angie@Echoes of Laughter

    March 6, 2014 at 11:45 am

    Oh My Gosh! Now I am totally hungry for some Canadian Cheese! I love Canadian cheese and I make a point of buying only Canadian Cheese. I love hosting a wine & cheese party or serving a chacuterie plate with lots of cheese. So good! Your wine & cheese party looks fabulous! I also think that serving excellent quality cheese like Canadian Cheese with cracker, grapes and sliced meats is one of the easiest ways to entertain for any hostess so you can spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen!

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 6, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      That’s the beauty of it, it is so easy. And you’re right, I’d rather be entertaining my guests!

      Reply
  6. Mistee Dawn

    March 6, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    What a great contest. I love Canadian cheese. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Randa @ The Bewitchin' Kitchen

    March 6, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    The all you need is cheese site is a great place to go for inspiration! It looks like you guys had a great time.

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 6, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      It’s a great site with so much inspiration!

      Reply
  8. Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs)

    March 6, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    I really love cheese. Whenever we have parties, I always include it for guests to snack on.

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 6, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      It’s so easy and I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love cheese.

      Reply
  9. brett

    March 6, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    I puffy heart cheese. ever since my second pregnancy I fell in love with it.

    so can americans enter to win? because i’d like to enter!

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 6, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      Sorry Brett 🙁 Only Canadians on this one. But I have a friend who just bought Canadian Cheese in Florida so I know it’s available for purchase in the States.

      Reply
  10. Felissa Elfenbein (@Felissahadas)

    March 6, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    I had no idea Canada produced award winning cheese. In my defense I have only been twice and both were when I was a teenager and for touristy things. I will have to check out the cheese selection at the store more carefully next time and see if any of it comes from Canada. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  11. susan

    March 6, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Looks like you had such a great time! The cheese plate looks great!

    Reply
  12. JadeLouise Designs (@JadeLDesigns)

    March 6, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    wow, all those cheeses look amazing! My husband and daughter would seriously be in heaven at a cheese tasting party!

    Reply
  13. Gingermommy (@Gingermommy)

    March 6, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Cheese is always my first choice when entertaining. So many options and loved by all. Sounds like a fun and tasty time!

    Reply
  14. 1heart1familyJenn

    March 6, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    First of all your kitchen is to die for!! So beautifully decorated!! I love cheese. It is an essential part of our day! I have never hosted a wine and cheese, but these are great ideas to get a bunch of girls together for an intimate evening in!

    Reply
  15. Brittany C. @ Mom. Wife. Busy Life.

    March 6, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    This looks like a lot of fun! I love wine and cheese tasting parties!

    Reply
  16. Lena @Listen to Lena

    March 6, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    It’s official: I need to come to your home. I need you to put out a spread for me. I need you to take care of me 🙂 Love your post – and love Canadian cheese!

    Reply
  17. candice

    March 6, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    what an awesome get together. i love to have wine and cheese parties at least once a month. its so easy and delicious. everyone in the kitchen is my favorite part!

    Reply
  18. carly peterson

    March 6, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    so great! A party is always made better with cheese! You really had a beautiful spread! Thanks so sharing and wishing I was Canadian right about now ;)!!

    Reply
  19. Olivia

    March 6, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    I just realized I’ve never been to a cheese and wine party. Now I know what I’ve been missing out on! 🙁

    Reply
  20. Jennifer @TheRebelChick

    March 6, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I love wine and cheese parties, and yours looks like it was a huge success! That reminds me, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten the girls together for a little shindig!

    Reply
  21. Jennifer Soltys

    March 6, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    It all looks delicious and very pretty how you presented it! What a great way to get friends together and enjoy some of the great things in life!

    Reply
  22. Tammi (@MyChaos)

    March 6, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    You seriously had me at cheese *swoon*!
    I agree, love mine with red pepper jelly. In fact, my friend makes her own and I have literally 8 jars in my pantry – better go cheese shopping!! 😉

    Reply
  23. Clair Boone

    March 6, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    Ooooo a cheese and wine party with the girls??! Great idea, I need to plan one!

    Reply
  24. Mindy Grant

    March 6, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    I LOVE all cheeses. If I had to choose just one food to live on for the rest of my life, that would be it. A wine and cheese party is such a fantastic idea!

    Reply
  25. Pam W

    March 6, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    I need to have a cheese party! My son and my daughter’s fiance love any type of cheese. They’d go crazy for some Canadian cheese, since they like trying new varieties!

    Reply
  26. Courtney

    March 6, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    If there’s a party you’ll always find me by the cheese platter. I’m cheese obsessed! Glad your party went well 🙂

    Reply
  27. tammileetips

    March 6, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    I love cheese, really love cheese. I am also in love with your wood platters. they are gorgeous and now I covet them. 🙂

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 7, 2014 at 8:42 am

      I found those in a book store in Canada. I know, right? Who would have thunk it 🙂

      Reply
  28. Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations

    March 6, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    What a great giveaway. 🙂 Mmm, I ‘d love to have a wine and cheese party, though I might have more cheese than wine.

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 7, 2014 at 8:43 am

      I like to give my love to both of them. Being fair and all 🙂

      Reply
  29. michellerattan

    March 6, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    i Love cheese This is an awesome set up for a party.

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 7, 2014 at 8:43 am

      Thank you Michelle.

      Reply
  30. Nicole (@momfindsout)

    March 6, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    I have not tried Canadian cheese before but I’ll have to look for it in the store. I didn’t know that Canadian cheese was so good. Your party looks like fun!

    Reply
  31. Pauline Cabrera

    March 6, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    Hey you got a great kitchen and dining area! Your recipe about cheese is totally something that everyone should try. 🙂

    Reply
  32. Heather @ It's a Lovely Life!

    March 7, 2014 at 12:14 am

    I love your kitchen! It looks like the perfect place for a wine and cheese party! So fun!

    Reply
  33. Melissa

    March 7, 2014 at 12:46 am

    I love this! My husband and I love having cheese parties. We put out a little blanket, and get our favorite cheeses to eat with crackers.

    Reply
  34. BeingGlutenFree

    March 7, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Love wine and cheese, so having a wine and cheese party is the best! 🙂

    Reply
    • Candace Derickx

      March 7, 2014 at 8:03 pm

      Actually what gluten-free crackers would you recommend Rossanna?

      Reply
      • BeingGlutenFree

        March 9, 2014 at 3:10 am

        The new gluten free Dare Breton crackers are great and they come in a couple of different flavours. My husband, who is not gluten free really likes the Crunchmaster gluten free multigrain crackers. 🙂 You can see the Dare ones on my instagram

        Reply
  35. The Modern Mom

    March 10, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    Absolutely all you need is cheese! Love wine and cheese parties, the red pepper jelly is my favorite! Looks like you and the ladies had a great time and good eats ?)

    Reply

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