The timeless combination of wine and cheese is always appreciated by almost

everyone who enjoys wine. A popular gift during the holiday season or at exclusive events is the wine and cheese basket. Selecting the right wine and cheese is as much a matter of personal preference as of the area from which they are produced.

A wine and cheese party can be a fun way to relax and make new friends. Make

it lots of fun by having every guest bring a bottle of wine and an exotic cheese.

Any season is appropriate for a cheese and wine party. Cheese, bread and wine

are all that is needed. A wine and cheese party can be a great way to get together with friends or for a special bridal or wedding shower, birthday party or other celebration.

Nothing can beat the taste of the cream and jam combined. Louis XVI’s last and dying wish was supposedly to have a final taste of Brie. Whether you are having a fancy wine and cheese party, or just enjoying a slice of cheese with an apple for a snack, your gourmet cheese will taste a lot better if you learn how to purchase, store and serve it properly.

Cheese, when served with wine, depicts impeccable taste and class. Its salty

flavor can be adjusted to suit the taste of the maker. And unlike most junk foods that are crunchy, cheese curds are moist and cool while having the same salty taste of your regular snacks. It should have a creamy taste, unique tang and a refreshing taste that will excite your taste buds.

Choose a specialty market or gourmet grocery store for the best selection of cheese, and remember, supermarkets do not always carry top quality cheeses. After you’ve bought your favorite cheese and brought it home, it’s a good idea to remove it from the plastic wrap or plastic bag it was packaged in. Store it in a special glass container, made especially for cheese storage.

Two cheeses, Fromage des Pyrenées and Bleu d’Auvergne plus red wine, a Côtes du Rhône, labelled Landrillat is a great combination. Another good suggestion of wine to serve with any kind of Brie appetizer is a red Côte-du-Rhône, a red Bordeaux or Burgundy and it always goes well with a good quality Champagne.

Don’t be afraid to taste new cheeses and try new wines. Only your taste buds will tell you what you need to know!

Ms.CiCi is an accomplished author and world traveler. Her writings expose her wealth of ’secret information’ so derived from her travels as well as drawing from her own personal wealth of wisdom. A great lover of nature, a visit to her website is a true delight: http://www.CiCi-Online.Com