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