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Wine & Cheese BBQ

Everyone has been to a Wine & Cheese party but how many people have been to a Wine & Cheese BBQ. A unique pairing of party styles, this collaboration blends the relaxed atmosphere of a BBQ with the slightly sophisticated influence of a wine tasting - a combination sure to create an evening of fun and great entertainment for all who attend.

How to grill cheese

Choosing cheeses that can stand up to the grilling process is an important factor when determining what to serve. Since some cheeses do not melt, they are excellent for roasting on an open fire. But some cheeses are already nearly melted and tend to run uncontrollably. Extra care should be used with these. Most semi-hard and hard cheeses can be used successfully on the grill. Sometimes it just a mater of finding the right combination of cheeses or the preparation of the dish that will make all the difference.

Cheeses such as Brie can be cooked on a cedar plank. Tortillas and grape leaves and such can be used to make most cheeses grillable. And really, anything you bake in the oven can be baked on the grill. Here are a few recipes to try:

Cedar Plank Brie with Pumpkin Chutney
Warm Goat Cheese toast with Rosemary, Walnuts, and Honey
Goat Cheese in Grape Leaves with Tomato and Olive Salad
Grilled Chorizo, Goat Cheese, and Watercress Salad Pita Pizzas
Grilled Marinated Vegetables with Fresh Mozzarella
Grilled Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil
Grilled Radicchio Traviso with Scamorza Cheese

Choosing the Wines

Choosing wines and cheeses for a BBQ does not involve any more knowledge of either than those required to choose them for a dinner menu. While there are no hard and fast rules to pairing the two, there are several schools of thought. Some say that a general rule of thumb is that white wines go with soft cheeses and red wines go with hard. But if you take a quick glance at the pairing list below, you will quickly see that this is not necessarily the case. Others says that cheeses and wines from the same geographical regions should be paired together. But there are so many things that influence the flavor of both that are constantly changing. Still others say that the flavor and texture not the color or region are what makes the pairings interesting. This means that simple, creamy cheese work best with light, crisp wines that have a mild fruity flavor and that full-bodied wines are the perfect partner for robust cheeses. Ultimately, the way to find the perfect pairing for you is to determine your personal preference through tasting.

A few general pairings might be