Wine Party Food Ideas For A Glorious Evening Of Perfect Pairings

If you are going to be throwing a wine party, then you'll surely need to get your wine party food ideas together. 

Wine and food simply go hand in hand together. They are harmoniously intertwined in that way. Of course, you want to serve foods that will pair wonderfully and elevate the wine you plan to serve. 

Pairing food with wine is all about finding that right balance. You want flavors that complement rather than overpower. 

I spent several years in the Napa Valley wine industry before becoming a publisher, and along the way, I picked up a few helpful tips and tricks.

One of Robert Mondavi's favorite quotes that had lived on beyond him and swirled around often within the industry was his adages of "Everything in moderation, with glorious exceptions" 

This is how we were taught to think of wine and food and basically everything in life. When the wine is poured, we make a toast! And again, and again for all of the good things we could think of. 

Throwing a wine party is always a highlight. Once the guests arrive and the conversation starts, I always forget about all of the trouble of getting it all put together. 

Wine parties don't have to be immensely elaborate either. Just find the right foods to pair with the wines and elevate the whole experience with small and thoughtful touches.

Go all out, or keep your wine party minimal. The company is what makes the party, anyway! Wether its a party of one, two or a dozen. 

At the end of the day, wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed with good company. The better the wine, the more exciting it is to pour for friends. It’s all about indulging together!

Wine party food ideas

You can assemble the wine party food ideas either on a board all together or on separate platters.

You can mix elements of both sweet and savory on the same boards where the foods will ultimately complement each other and the wine. 

Let's dive into the wine party food ideas list below! 

1. Cheese

It's no secret that wine pairs well with cheese and that they make a great pair, but with so many options, it can be hard to choose the right one for the evening.  

A simple way to make this easier and (to look like a wine pro) is to serve three types of cheeses with different textures to pair with three different types of wines. 

Example: Hard Cheese (Parmesan), semi hard cheese (Gouda) & Soft Cheese (Brie)

1. Start with a soft cheese, like Brie paired with a glass of chardonnay. This is also a great starter or first wine. 
2. Work your way up to a semi hard cheese like Gouda and pair it with a glass of rose or pinto noir. 
3. Finally, finish the evening with a glass of bold red wine such as a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux blend and match it with a hard cheese such as Parmesan or aged cheddar. 

Savory Wine Party Food Ideas 

• Marinated olives

• Crudite platter 

• Artichoke hearts
  

• Roasted red peppers

• Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella, basil)

• Crostini with ricotta & honey

• Squash tarts or herbal cheese dumplings 

• Sun dried tomato & basil bruschetta

• Roasted garlic hummus with veggies

• Stuffed mushrooms
  

• Chips and dip 
  

Fruit 

• Fresh figs halved

• Grapes (red, green, or champagne)

• Sliced apple rounds

• Sliced pears 

• Dried fruit
  

• Berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)
  

Nut & Seeds

• Almonds

• Candied or spiced pecans

• Roasted walnuts

• Salted pistachios

• Roasted cashews

Crackers & Breads

• Baguette (sliced)

• Crostini (plain or lightly seasoned)

• Flatbread crackers

• Mini breadsticks 

• Pita chips

• Toasted focaccia squares

• Watercrackers to cleanse pallate 
  

Sweets and Treats 

• Dark chocolate

• Chocolate covered almonds or nuts 

• Chocolate covered strawberries or fruits

• Lemon bars

• Macarons 
  

• Cake 

Accents & additional appetizers 

Honeycomb or Jelly on Brie 

Pair with Prosecco, Riesling or Moscato. These wines are enhanced by the sweet and savory mix of the cheese and honey. 

Olives & Pickles

Briny, salty bites like olives and pickles love a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry white. 

Flatbread Crackers & Water Crackers

Flatbread crackers pair nicely with soft cheeses and honey, while water crackers serve as perfect palate cleansers between sips and bites.

Flowers 

A boutique of fresh flowers always accents and elevates any wine party 

Candles

Candles make any environment more inviting and warm. but keep in mind that if you are going to light a candle, make sure it's unscented. 

Still and Sparkling Water 

Always keep extra glasses for water available and at hand. Make sure that water is easily accessible and provide options like still or sparkling water to elevate the experience. Everyone gets thirsty when eating and drinking, so you want to make sure that everyone stays hydrated in order to have a great time. 

Cheers to making new memories one sip at a time! 

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