Whether you’re planning your first charcuterie board or looking to take it to the next level for your upcoming party, building the best charcuterie board is about balancing the best ingredients you can get and then pairing them with the perfect wine and beer. If you can do those two things, it will always be a hit. Below, we break down the elements of a good charcuterie board and how to pair the best wine and beer with them. Enjoy!

5 Elements of Every Great Charcuterie Board

The watchword for the best charcuterie board is “rich.” You’ll want to provide plenty of rich, fatty foods for people to enjoy, with about 2-3 oz each of meat and cheese. Below are the 5 parts of almost every charcuterie board, along with some specific suggestions for each.

1. Cheese: The start of any great board, you should provide a variety of cheeses—both hard and soft, from cow, sheep, and goat. Brie or chevre are great soft cheeses, cheddar and blue cheese have strong flavors, and experiment with cream cheese with savory jelly (such as jalapeno) on top.
2. Meat: Cured meats are always a hit, so make sure to get several types by country of origin and cut of meat. Chorizo and prosciutto are always hits, along with salami and summer sausage. Want a little spice? Cured chorizo is always a great option, along with spicy salamis like soppressata.
3. Bread & Crackers: What is meat and cheese without carbs? Pick a variety of crackers, such as thin croccantini or crisps with nuts and fruits. Mini toasts are another great accompaniment, and even sliced baguettes and other freshly made breads (just make sure to cut them small).
4. Savory: Now we get to the things that will transform your board from good to great. Savory additions, such as nuts, pickled olives and cornichons, tapenade or bruschetta, hummus or romesco, and fresh vegetables provide additions for every plate and alternatives for people with meat or dairy restrictions.
5. Sweet: Finally, the cherry on top! Actual fruits are a great addition (such as sliced pears or berries), but don’t forget dried fruits like cherries and dates, sweet spreads like jams or fruit spreads, and of course, chocolate. Everyone loves nuts or fruits coated in dark chocolate.

Pairing Wine and Beer with Charcuterie

Of course, you’ll need something to drink with this charcuterie board! We recommend both wine and beer to cover all the bases. Pairing wine and beer with charcuterie is easy if you remember the rules below.

Pairing Wine with Charcuterie

Wine is the classic pairing with the richness of this kind of board. Generally, you’ll want balanced wines that lean towards acidity, strong tannins, and fruitiness to pair with cured meats and cheeses. As we talk about in our article, Wine and Appetizer Pairings: The Full Snack Spread at Hickey’s, rosé wines are the most flexible across the board.

Pairing Beer with Charcuterie

Beer can also be paired with your charcuterie board. You’ll want to lean toward lighter, bitter beers as a counterpoint to all the rich, fatty foods, such as pilsners and wheat-based beers. Hoppy IPAs are another great option and pair well with strong flavor profiles, such as smoky or spicy. Want some suggestions? Check out our post on craft beer in Central MA.

Not only do we have an amazing selection of over 2000 wines and over 500 craft beers, but we can also provide the spread with a large selection of meats, cheeses, crackers, and more, along with fresh bread from our bakery! Need more ideas? Our team of seasoned experts is ready to help you pick the perfect wines, beers, and options for your charcuterie board to make sure it’s a hit! Contact us today to learn more.