There’s something magical about autumn evenings: the golden leaves, the crisp chill in the air and the irresistible urge to indulge in hearty, comforting flavours. For many, the season calls for slow evenings, cosy gatherings and sharing beautiful food and drink.
And what could be more inviting than a decadent spread of artisan cheeses, rich charcuterie and perfectly paired drinks, all hand-picked into a luxury gift hamper? Whether you’re gifting to someone special, thanking an employee or client, or curating the ultimate night in, the act of pairing wine and spirits with cheese and cured meats is an art and a joy, and something we at hampers.com are excellent at.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best autumnal drink pairings for cheese and charcuterie, and we’ll showcase some of our luxury drinks and cheese hampers that make this experience effortless.
Why pair drinks with cheese and charcuterie?
Cheese and charcuterie boards are flavour playgrounds: creamy bries, sharp cheddars, nutty Comté, smoky salami, and rich pâtés all bring unique profiles. Pairing the right drink enhances these flavours, creating harmony and elevating the experience.
Autumn adds another dimension, with earthy mushrooms, roasted root veg, gamey meats, warming spices, and robust seasonal flavours that call for drinks with depth and character. Think velvety reds, crisp whites, sparkling wines and even fortified classics like port.
Bold reds for rich cheeses & charcuterie
Nothing says autumn quite like a glass of deep, velvety red wine. Its warmth and structure make it the ideal companion for mature cheeses like cheddar and gouda, and for savoury, umami-packed charcuterie such as Tempus Charcuterie’s spiced salami or coppa.
a match made in heaven: the Classic Red Wine & Cheese Gift Box
Imagine a rich Malbec or Rioja paired with a sharp vintage cheddar, a creamy blue and artisan sourdough crackers. Add in some robust charcuterie, and you’ve got an autumnal feast fit for a king.
Full-bodied reds stand up to the strong flavours of aged cheese and the wine’s tannins balance the fat content in the cheese and charcuterie. Notes of blackberry, cherry and spice that are common throughout autumn and winter echo the earthy depth of cured meats.
We love our Classic Red Wine and Cheese Gift Box for it’s vibrant bottle of Las Carlinas Old Vine Garnacha, hailing from Aragon just south-east o La Rioja, Spain - a region which has a respected wine making tradition dating back to the 12th century. The wine pairs beautifully with the smooth, caramelised onion cheddar from Mouse House when served on rye and charcoal sourdough crackers.
This is the perfect hamper for saying thank you to a client or colleagues or treating any red wine lover to a thoughtful, seasonal indulgence or just for planning a cosy date night by the fire.
Sparkling wines for soft, creamy cheeses
If you’re looking for a lighter, celebratory pairing, sparkling wine is your answer. Prosecco or Champagne brings freshness and acidity that cuts through the richness of cheeses like brie or camembert, and it pairs wonderfully with delicate charcuterie, thinly sliced on top.
the ultimate duo: the Sparkling Wine & Charcuterie Hamper
Crisp, citrusy Prosecco that sings celebration and luxury, with a creamy brie and a selection of artisan crackers is elegance in a hamper. Throw in some thinly sliced Tempus spiced coppa and fennel salami and you’ve got a platter fit for an autumn aperitif.
The bright bubbles refresh the palate between bites of rich cheese and the acidity complements the fattiness of charcuterie without overpowering it. We absolutely love our Sparkling Wine & Charcuterie Hamper that includes a bottle of Gauchezco's 'Dulce Natural' Sparkling Wine, a delightfully sweet Argentinian sparkling wine, and a selection of premium meats from Tempus Charcuterie.
On top of this you’ll find gourmet garlic, oregano and balsamic bread-dipper oil, plump green olives and smoked almonds. They'll just need to add their choice of fresh bread to top it off, making it a great gift hamper for social gatherings, celebrations and creating that all important sparkling moment for someone special.
Port or dessert wines for blue cheese & decadence
Autumn evenings invite indulgence, and nothing feels more luxurious than pairing rich, aromatic blue cheeses or strong cheddars, with a sweet, complex port or dessert wine. Add rich charcuterie for a savoury, salty counterpoint, and you have a pairing that’s pure sophistication.
the perfect pairing: the Luxury Port & Cheese Hamper
A bottle of ruby or tawny port, paired with blue cheese, aged cheddar, and a medley of accompaniments are what you’ll find in our carefully-curated Luxury Port & Cheese Hamper. The centrepiece of this hamper is of course Croft's Fine Ruby Port, deep ruby red in colour with intense black fruit notes throughout and best enjoyed after dinner with good company.
Our experts have paired the Port with two of Snowdonia's award-winning cheddar cheeses, hand-baked wheat crackers and a delicious caramelised onion marmalade from Tracklements. The sweetness of the port contrasts with the tang of sharp cheese and both strong flavours marry beautifully with bold cured meats and earthy crackers.
Real ales for nutty cheeses & spicy mustard
Not all autumn pairings need to feature wine. If you know someone who prefers a real ale as opposed to a glass of wine, then this Real Ale & Cheese Hamper is the best combination to give them.
Creamy cheeses pair great with an intense mustard, bringing a spicy kick that combines everything together into one beautiful, beer-perfect bite.
pairing pints with cheese: the Real Ale & Cheese Hamper
Our expert team of tasters at hampers.com have specially selected a trio of ales from Loose Cannon, our local Brewery in Abingdon on Thames just down the road from our headquarters. Loose Canon have been brewing excellent-tasting beer and real ales since 2010. This luxury hamper includes their original brew, "Abingdon Bridge," award-winning session beer "Gunners Gold," and last but not least, "Bombshell."
This is a great gift hamper for those who prefer a brew over a glass of vino, but are looking to gift something that still offers indulgence and provides the backbone for an awesome autumn evening spread.Creating the ultimate autumn cheese, tipple & charcuterie night
If you’re planning your own autumn soirée or sending a gift, here are some final tips:
1. Mix textures and flavours: Include hard, soft, and blue cheeses, alongside spicy and mild charcuterie.
2. Add accompaniments: Think chutneys, crackers, figs, and roasted nuts.
3. Serve at the right temperature: Cheese should come to room temperature before serving, and wine should be slightly chilled or gently warmed depending on the style.
Our luxury cheese, meat and drinks hampers take the guesswork out of pairing, offering beautifully curated combinations that make autumn entertaining, and gifting, effortless. If you need more advice on how to set out the perfect charcuterie board, then be sure to check out our blog which delves into this even deeper.
