Book Club Pairing Platter (Printable)

An elegant, multi-section platter with cheese, fruits, nuts, and fresh herbs perfect for gatherings and wine pairings.

# What Goes In:

→ 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 - 1/2 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
19 - Honey or fig jam (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Lay out a large serving platter or board and position fresh rosemary sprigs to create three distinct sections.
02 - Place the sliced brie, cubed Gruyère, green grapes, apple slices, and Marcona almonds within the first section.
03 - Arrange aged cheddar cubes, smoked gouda slices, prosciutto, salami, and cherry tomatoes in the second section.
04 - Set herbed goat cheese log, dried apricots, roasted pistachios, mixed olives, and cucumber slices in the third section.
05 - Fill the remaining spaces with baguette slices and assorted crackers around the platter.
06 - Place small bowls of honey or fig jam on the platter if desired.
07 - Present immediately, ensuring each section remains clearly divided by rosemary sprigs for both aroma and visual appeal.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but takes just 25 minutes to assemble, giving you time to actually enjoy your guests
  • Each section pairs beautifully with different wines, turning a simple platter into an educational tasting experience
  • The fragrant rosemary dividers do double duty as both elegant presentation and a gentle aromatic element that makes everything smell inviting
02 -
  • Slice your apple, assemble your platter, and serve immediately or cover loosely with plastic wrap until guests arrive. Oxidation is real, and you want your apples to stay bright and crisp.
  • The rosemary sprigs aren't just pretty, they're functional dividers that prevent flavors from mingling in unexpected ways. That goat cheese and brie can overshadow each other if they're too close.
  • Temperature matters more than you think. Remove cheeses from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving so they're soft enough to appreciate but still elegant on the board.
03 -
  • Arrange your platter 30 minutes to 2 hours before guests arrive, then cover it loosely with plastic wrap. This prevents oxidation while keeping everything fresh and allowing flavors to settle.
  • Buy your rosemary sprigs fresh from the produce section rather than the dried herb aisle. They'll release their aroma beautifully and look infinitely more elegant dividing your sections.
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