Holiday Wine & Cheese Tasting Flight

Thank you Castello Cheese for sponsoring this post. Castello Cheese makes entertaining easy with its range of flavors.

Hanging out with your family during the holidays can be filled with warmth, laughter, and fun. It can also be filled with awkward moments of silence and utter boredom. After the initial excitement and hurried catching up that takes place, there can definitely be lulls in the hoopla. Let’s face it, you might not have a lot in common with most of your family members. But there are two universal forces that never fail to please… cheese and wine! So, in preparation for the excruciatingly dull periods, come armed with my Wine & Cheese Tasting Flight. With the help of my friends at Castello Cheese, I have put together the ultimate ice-breaker that is sure to catapult the holiday blues into oblivion. Let’s get to the tutorial!

Step 1: Get cheesy with it!

I have yet to come across a person who doesn’t like cheese. And if I’m being honest, if someone like that does exist, then I do not care to know them. In my world, cheese is synonymous to happiness and luckily fabulous brands like Castello Cheese exist. With over 40 cheese varieties to choose from, Castello Cheese makes holiday entertaining a cinch. The flavors, textures, and overall quality of the products are stellar and should be your go-to cheese this season. Plus, they have an amazing Pinterest page, chock-full of delicious ideas and recipes. For today’s tasting, I chose Castello Creamy Havarti, Traditional Danish Blue, and Smoked Gouda.

Step 2: Pair with wine

Here’s the fun part! We’ve picked our Castello Cheese, so now let’s pair them with some wine. I suggest pairing Castello’s rich, hickory wood Smoked Gouda with an even richer Pinot Noir. Castello Traditional Danish Blue, with its nutty bitterness, is a natural match with Prosecco. Then, we’re going to play a trick on the holiday guests with a bit of cheesy trickery. You see, Castello Creamy Havarti actually goes well with two wines. This mild, yet tangy aromatic creamy cheese pairs well with both Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling Rosé. Add them both and see if your guests catch on!

Final Pairing List:

1. Creamy Havarti + Cabernet Sauvignon
2. Traditional Danish Blue + Prosecco
3. Smoked Gouda + Pinot Noir
4. Creamy Havarti + Sparkling Rosé

Step 3: Print the guide

If you really want to shake things up, then you will want to bring my Wine & Cheese Tasting scoreboard along to the holiday festivities. With a simple and fun walk-through of the sipping and munching experience, it’ll be enjoyable for even the most novice of wine and cheese connoisseurs.

Step 4: Create the flights

Assemble the flights on a cheese board with wine glasses or grab one of these fun flight boards online. To really spice up a dull holiday party, I suggest doing a “Blind Flight”, like the way I have it pictured below. Pair the wines and cheeses, but only designated by a number. Have your guests do the tasting and then afterwards reveal the varieties featured in the flight.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Now that the stage is set, it’s time to impress your friends and family. Turn up the holiday music and squash the familial awkwardness with a fun round of wine and cheese tasting.

A new holiday tradition to fill in the dull moments… or just to be an awesome holiday guest. The choice is yours! Be sure to include Castello Cheese in your holiday plans and find it at your local market in the specialty cheese aisle. And for more cheesy tips, tricks, and recipes, follow along with the brand on Pinterest here. So tell me, which wine and cheese pairing do you want to try first?