Wine Information

Good appetizers to have a a wine tasting party?

For my birthday, I am going to have a Wine Tasting party. I don't want to limit appetizers to cheese varieties. What are good appetizers to have at a wine tasting party. By the way, I will have some cheese to pair with the wine. I am open to good cheese suggestions, also. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. At one wine party I attended, they were serving a spinach dip with crackers. It was very good and it complimented the wine.
2. I went to a commercial wine tasting recently and they had used cookie cutters to cut the cheese in little flower shapes and stars, kind of cool. I would have a large selection of cheeses - chedders, swiss, havarti etc. I would also serve fruits such as melon varieties, apples, pears, (nothing too sweet unless you are serving something really dry). Also crackers and maybe something chocolate.
3. you could do a fondue and offer different things to dip. Pears, apples, red grapes, steamed broccoli, steamed asparagus, cubes of ham, pumpernickel bread, rye bread, ciabatta bread and dry bread sticks are a few of my suggestions. I have a great recipe for fondue. if you'd like it just ask here or message me.
4. go with regional themes. If you are tasting sake try sushi. If italian wines, mini meatballs, californian try a california style pizza cut into mini pieces. If french, just skip the food and cop an attitude.
5. get some crab meat and bacon, roll the crab meat up in the strip of bacon so it makes a little roll, or whatever then stick a toothpick through it so it stays then put them in the oven, when the bacon is crisp it's done. It's hella good. Hillshire farms Lil' Smokies are excellent choice for wine tasting!! Or you could always go ghetto and bust out with the saltines!!
6. proteins are good with wines -- thats why you match wine to your meat at dinner. you can do an infinite number of meat stuffed kinds of things. a little spiced sausage stuffed in a fig or mushroom cap -- or try wrapping a small strip of procuitto around a cantelope ball and skewer it with a toothpick. i am really keen on salty -- good olives, cheap caviar, deviled quail eggs -- yum. a classic spanish tapas that never fails to impress is a tortilla espana -- you slice a small onion and 2 small potatoes really thin and fry them til cooked and a little brown. pour in 4 eggs beaten and cook it like an omlette. slide it out on a plate to flip it over and cook the other side. after it cools some cut it in little square and stick a toothpick in it. if it comes out kind of sloppy stick it on a cracker and put a couple fresh oregano leaves on top. a little creativity goes a long way.
7. I love wine and cheese. I would serve all varieties of cheese, and all varieties of sausage. A great selection of crackers and breads.. Also maybe some dips. It might be nice to add some foreign beers. (they are alot like wine) It would make your party very wide spread. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stacie
8. some cheedar cheese is always good but also strawberrises and french bread works
9. The appetizers that you are to serve really depends on the wines that you are offering for tastings. You can serve pates, sausages, meat, ham, some crackers or even simple baguette. Same with the cheeses. The type of wine , sparkling or champagne will dictate the kinds of cheeses that you can serve. To be safe, I suggest you serve some matured cheddar, Double Gloucester, brie, fontina, and gorgonzola. If you intend to serve port , then you have to have English Stilton. And, oh, don't forget the almonds too......
10. In addition to the International cheese plate, which is typical of wine-tasting events, try to incorporate a variety of finger foods and hors d'oevres. With italian wines, how about some italian meatballs skewered with toothpics? Fondue would be excellent to accompany a French wine - or pate would work, too. I've seen mini beef wellingtons served as well as spanikopita so it really depends on your budget and preference. But I've always been a fan of many choices. And don't forget the cheese!