Ruby Red Wine Charcuterie (Printer View)

A vibrant board showcasing red wine-soaked cheeses, meats, fruits, and crackers for an impressive spread.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz drunken goat cheese, red wine-soaked and sliced
02 - 5 oz Red Wine BellaVitano or similar red wine-soaked hard cheese, cubed

→ Meats (optional)

03 - 3.5 oz red wine-cured salami, thinly sliced
04 - 2.8 oz prosciutto, torn into ribbons

→ Accompaniments

05 - ½ cup red wine jelly
06 - ½ cup red wine-poached seedless grapes
07 - ¼ cup red wine-infused dried cherries
08 - ⅓ cup red wine-marinated olives (kalamata or green)

→ Bread & Crackers

09 - 1 small baguette, sliced
10 - 1 cup red wine and rosemary crackers

→ Garnishes

11 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
12 - Edible flowers (optional)

# Method:

01 - Place a clean, empty wine bottle with label removed at the center of a large wooden cheese board or platter.
02 - Position sliced drunken goat cheese and cubed red wine BellaVitano around the bottle base, allowing some pieces to lean against it for visual interest.
03 - Fan out red wine-cured salami and prosciutto, if using, in small piles adjacent to the cheeses.
04 - Spoon red wine jelly into a small bowl and nestle it among the cheese clusters.
05 - Distribute red wine-poached grapes, wine-infused dried cherries, and marinated olives in small clusters throughout the board for balanced flavor.
06 - Place baguette slices and wine crackers in arcs or lines around the board for easy access.
07 - Add fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for color and aromatic enhancement.
08 - Present immediately, inviting guests to sample and combine flavors as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning—that wine bottle standing proud in the center turns a simple cheese board into an edible work of art that'll have everyone asking where you got the idea
  • Every single element tastes like a secret, because everything has been kissed by red wine; it creates this beautiful harmony of flavors that feels intentional and sophisticated
  • It's deceptively easy to pull together, yet impressive enough that guests will think you've spent hours planning it
02 -
  • The wine-soaking in these cheeses isn't just decoration—it fundamentally changes their texture and flavor. I learned this the hard way after once trying to serve a regular goat cheese on the same board, and it felt flat, forgotten, like showing up to a party wearing everyday clothes when everyone else was dressed for an occasion.
  • Timing matters more than you'd think. Assemble this no more than two hours before serving; the wood of the board can absorb the cheeses' oils and moisture, and you want everything to look fresh and intentional when people first see it, not tired.
  • The wine you pair with this board should have real fruit notes. I learned to avoid heavily oaked wines that would compete with the delicate wine-infused flavors already present. A Pinot Noir or Merlot echoes and enhances rather than fights.
03 -
  • If you can't find red wine-soaked versions of cheese at your market, soak regular versions yourself: wrap blocks of hard cheese and fresh goat cheese in cheesecloth, submerge them in quality red wine mixed with a touch of salt, and refrigerate for three to five days, flipping halfway through—the flavor develops beautifully and tastes like a discovery you made yourself
  • The empty wine bottle at the center isn't just decoration; it's actually functional. As people eat and the board opens up, the bottle keeps the arrangement from feeling sparse and incomplete. I've had guests ask if the bottle was intentional, and the answer is always yes, always.
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