The Fromage Plate – Perfecting the Cheese Platter
Whether you are planning an hors d’oeuvres party, a wine and cheese menu or after-dinner tasting, it’s easy to create a delectable and beautiful Fromage Plate when you follow these simple tips:
Selection
It’s about quality not quantity — your Fromage Plate should showcase anywhere from 3 to 5 cheeses- Plan on 4 to 6 ounces of cheese per person
- Choose a variety of cheese styles, from creamy soft to hard, and milk types, from goat to sheep to cow’s milk-based cheeses
- For peak freshness and flavor, shop for cheese close to your event
- Ask the experts for help...your local fromager can suggest complementary flavors and textures to create a harmonious cheese platter
Presentation
- Bring cheese to room temperature before serving (approx. 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size)
- Arrange cheeses in a clockwise fashion from mildest to most pungent and complex
- Experiment with different shapes for a stunning visual presentation
- For the best fromage plate sampling experience start with the mildest cheese at 6 o’clock and continue around the cheeseboard
Pairing With Food
- Slice apples or pears into thin wedges and arrange with selected cheeses
- Include figs, blackberries, golden raisins and dried apricots for a sweet, exotic complement
- Add a healthy crunch with a variety of nuts
- Go gourmet with quince paste, plum butter or chutney on the side
- Drizzle a little honey on pungent cheeses for a dash of sweetness
- Offer toast points, fruit and nut crostini or thin slices from a baguette
- Remember, the cheese is the star. If serving crackers, select mild styles that won’t compete with the cheese
Pairing with wine...and more
- French wines, both red and white, from the same region as your cheeses are a natural choice. Ask your sommelier for pairing suggestions.
- In general, pair a mild cheese with a lighter, milder wine and a more robust, stronger cheese with a bolder wine
- Beer, cider...even coffee and liqueurs also complement The Cheeses of France
Savor the taste of French cheese from Brie to Roquefort and find out what makes these delicious imported cheeses unique and flavorful. Learn about French cheesemaking regions and types of cheese on the French Cheese Regions interactive map or learn more about our signature fromage plates.