The only way to improve on a festive evening filled with cheese & wine, is to share it with friends and family. With your Christmas plans no doubt underway, we have put together an excellent guide to creating your very own perfect cheese and wine evening, featuring an array of high-quality artisan products from makers and producers who have been perfecting their craft for generations.
5 steps to creating the perfect Christmas cheese & wine evening
Step 1 – invite cheese-lovers
Who is going to accompany you on your Christmas cheese and wine evening? Will it be an intimate affair with just your partner or close family? Or will it be more of a party and large Christmas celebration? Whoever it is, it's important to make sure that you invite fellow cheese and wine lovers to indulge and appreciate these luxury cheeses that we've carefully selected for our hampers.
Whether they're partial to a strong cheddar, savour something creamier, or like a cheese infused with interesting flavours, we've sourced British cheese from some of the best makers to ensure there's something for every taste.
Step 2 – choose your cheeses carefully
For a cheese and wine evening that everyone will remember, you'll want to choose some really special cheeses. Variety is certainly important, but you will also want cheeses that complement one another when mixed and find the perfect tangy chutneys and sourdough crackers to enjoy alongside.
Consider cheeses with varying textures, from those infused with caramelised onion or cranberries, to strong, sharp flavours as well as milder options. Three to five different premium cheeses is usually plenty for the perfect cheeseboard.
If you want to ensure your cheeses are displayed beautifully and you've got the all-important cheese knives to help them slice like a dream, then check out our Luxury Cheeseboard Gift Hamper which contains a gorgeous wooden cheeseboard and a cheese knife set.
Step 3 – choose the perfect wine to pair
To really make sure your Christmas cheese and wine evening is entertaining, educational and impressive, you should carefully consider what tipple you choose to accompany your selections of cheeses.
As a simple guide, you want to pair milder cheeses with lighter flavours and stronger cheeses with bold flavours. This includes both strength of taste and aroma. You don't want to overwhelm either the cheese or your chosen wine. For example, pair a mild brie with a light-bodied white & a delightfully pungent blue stilton with an equally rich fortified wine, such as a vintage port.
You can also have an array of wine to try and make a game out of it. Try to see if your guests can match the recommended wine or share their 'tasting notes' when they taste different combinations. Does it enhance the flavour of the cheese or not?
Step 4 – choose the right cheese accompaniments
With a cheese and wine night, it's not just about the wine and cheese. You have to think about the accompaniments and condiments you will serve alongside.
Crackers are obviously a traditional choice. There is such a wonderful array to choose from, including artisan, sourdough crackers and crackers with more earthy and complex flavours, made from rye. You may also want to offer some fresh bread.
In addition, there is a whole host of condiments and chutneys you can include. Choosing the right ones will further enhance the flavours of your chosen cheeses, including fruits, nuts and other ideas to consider.
You may also want to include some meats, especially if you want to offer a more substantial meal for your guests. In our selection of gift hampers for cheese lovers, you'll find amazing British cured salami from Tempus Charcuterie. Plus, there is our Christmas Eve Wine & Nibbles Gift Basket, which includes two truckles of cheese and an incredible bottle of Gauchezco Estate Malbec wine from Argentina for the perfect pairing.
Step 5 – choose the entertainment
Last but not least, have a good think about what you would like to do as part of your special festive cheese and wine night. If you're stuck for ideas, then you can never go wrong with a family quiz.
We've got just the hamper for you, which includes entertainment! Our After-Dinner Trivia & Treats Christmas Hamper includes its very own box of 100 trivia questions. It is sure to keep everyone entertained, even the most competitive of friends and family.
Prepare for the perfect Christmas cheese and wine evening
With all of those plans in place we are sure you will have the best Christmas cheese and wine evening. If the thought of a cheese and wine hamper has inspired some Christmas gifting ideas, then do take a look at our recommendations for 2025:
Luxury Cheese and Wine Hampers
