| Delight the gourmet food lovers in your life with a | | | | Pierre-Robert, Taleggio or Epoisses. Fruits such as |
| cheese gift basket. Perfect as a hostess gift, | | | | apples, figs, pears, grapes, berries, nectarines and |
| housewarming gift or for the holidays, as it can be | | | | melon are traditional cheese course accompaniments |
| easily enjoyed with friends and family to mark a | | | | as their juicy and/or crisp textures contrast with the |
| special occasion. Ideally, this unique gift will offer a | | | | cheese. Their sweetness provides a counterpoint to |
| bounty of only the finest cheeses and specialty | | | | the salty flavors. Dried fruits offer a chewy texture |
| foods. They can add a few fresh foods and | | | | that contrasts with harder cheeses such as |
| beverages for the perfect cheese course. Whether | | | | Parmigiano-Reggiano, Piave and Aged Cheddar. Cured |
| served as hors d'oeuvres, as part of a light meal with | | | | meats such as prosciutto add a salty and textural |
| salad or as dessert, a cheese course is a simple yet | | | | difference. |
| sophisticated addition to the table that is sure to | | | | The lucky gift recipients will no doubt enjoy their |
| impress. | | | | basket of gourmet goodies with wine or beers. |
| A cheese gift basket makes serving a cheese course | | | | Beverages are meant to cleanse the palate. When |
| easy and elegant. They'll especially love minimal prep | | | | pairing wine and cheese, it's important to match the |
| time spent in the kitchen. A cheese course is about | | | | intensity of the flavors. Champagne and other |
| observing and enjoying the contrasting and | | | | sparkling wines are traditionally paired with Brie and |
| complementary flavors. A cheese gift basket should | | | | Camembert. Beers can also be excellent with |
| offer at least three cheeses in a variety of textures | | | | stronger cheeses such as Cheddar and Aged Gouda |
| and flavors. Some offer soft, firm and blue while | | | | as the carbonation cleanses the palate. Blues such as |
| others offer semi-soft and hard in a variety of milks | | | | Stilton, Gorgonzola and Roquefort is also best |
| such as goat and cow. The best will include cheeses | | | | enjoyed with a sweet wine such as Port or Sherry. |
| that vary in taste from mild to sharp. | | | | With the endless cheese, gourmet food and wine |
| A cheese gift basket can be enjoyed on its own or | | | | combination's, a cheese gift basket can be a part of |
| can be enhanced by adding a few fresh foods. A | | | | an exhilarating culinary journey. For best results, just |
| crusty baguette can serve as a delicious vehicle for | | | | add friends and family. |
| creamy and spreadable cheeses such as | | | | |