Overall no matter how many you plan to prepare it should be perhaps the easiest course for a party that you can prepare. All you really need is to find a good cheese merchant who you can get those cheeses from.

Now you need to figure that you’re going to serve at least three to five cheeses for your party. If you get more than that you’re going to confuse everyone’s palate, so stick with five cheeses at the most. Picking those cheese board cheeses should be fairly simple as long as you think of these guidelines to help out.

When you’re picking those cheeses out, look for varieties in texture, taste and appearance. One hint would be something like the softer and mild choice of Camembert, plus the sharp and semi-firm Maytag Blue, with that mild, hard and nutty cheese like Asiago.

Always pick goat cheeses for your cheese board, like semi-firm Cabrales, soft, fresh cheese like Montrachet, and finally the hard, whey cheese like Gjetost. Perhaps you can use a country theme for the cheeses that you pick. Like a Switzerland theme which could include the following cheeses.

Cave aged and hard Gruyere, semi-firm Emmentaler, the semi-hard, artisanal and apple cider cheese of Mostkaese, and the semi-soft choice of Tomme de Savoie. Or if you’re personal favorites are a nice variety you can put a cheese board together with those choices. Just make sure they have different taste, texture and appearance for that great cheese board look.

When you put things together to go with your cheese board make sure you don’t have anything that will detract from their flavors. Some great choices would be peaches, grapes, apples, pears, and even nuts. If you pick crackers and bread, make sure they have a mild flavor that will not take away from the cheese.

Of course wine and cheese are going to be served together. They are a combination that is expected, you wouldn’t make a jelly sandwich, but you would add peanut butter. Some combinations are just meant to be together, and wine and cheese are one of them. To pick the correct wines here are some hints to help out.

For your blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Stilton you need a dessert wine, perhaps a port or Sauternes. Soft ripened cheese like Brillat-Savarin or Teleme will go the best with a Chardonnay. While those fresh cheeses like feta or goat are going to be best served with Pinot Noir or a Sauvignon Blanc. Finally aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gruyeres, or Cheddars should be served with Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, or even Burgundy.

When you set up your cheese board make sure that it’s large enough so there is enough room to arrange the cheeses. You don’t want them to touch so that the background color will stand through and people can see it. Leave that rind on your cheese, but have the wrapper removed. And make sure that all your cheeses are at room temperature.

Also have a knife that can be used for each cheese. Remember to use the appropriate type of knife for the texture of the cheese. With these ideas in place you can find that you will have a wonderful party.

There are many other fine examples of a good cheese board, but really it’s all about getting those three elements right. Have a difference in taste, texture, and appearance, and you’re going to have the perfect cheese board.

If you’re preparing more than one board through the night, don’t switch to more than five different cheese choices though. Remember providing too many different flavors will confuse the palate, and make the experience less memorable.

If you have guests who do not drink, make sure you provide some good alternatives for them. If you can find some good non-alcoholic choices that may work. But if you have any doubts about what to get, you should simple ask the guest before they show up. That way you will make sure that they will have a drink and be comfortable during your party.

A good cheese board party will be one that everyone will enjoy. They will get to taste cheeses that they may never have tried before. Giving them a way to expand their knowledge about at least one thing. People do love to learn about new things, and new tastes will also encourage them to continue trying other new cheeses.

Who knows maybe soon they will hold a party and ask you for ideas on a good cheese board. Help them out by lining them up with the right cheese vendor and they can have a great party too. If you have an idea of what they are serving, bring along a bottle of wine to go with them. It will be a great way to thank them for the party and also is just a really nice thought.

If you’re interested in setting up a cheese board and need more information, plenty is available online. Remember no more than three to five cheeses should be served at a party. You need to have different taste, texture and appearance for all your cheeses. If you want to plan a party that is based on a country, pick different cheeses from that country. We gave a good example for Switzerland cheeses that you can try.

Pick the correct wine to go along with the different type of cheese you have offered. If a guest isn’t positive about which wine will go with what cheese, let them know. Or make a general announcement so everyone will know. Get your cheese board ready and have a great time!