There's something wonderfully sociable about a well-crafted cheese board. It invites guests to linger, explore, and discover new flavour combinations. But if you've ever stood in the cheese section feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. This guide will give you the confidence to create stunning cheese boards that look as impressive as they taste.
The Rule of Three to Five
The first secret to a great cheese board is variety—but not too much. Three to five cheeses is the sweet spot for most occasions. Fewer than three limits discovery, while more than five overwhelms the palate and the budget.
Aim for variety in:
- Milk type: Cow, sheep, goat
- Texture: Soft, semi-soft, hard
- Intensity: Mild to strong
- Origin: Local and imported
This approach ensures everyone finds something they love while creating interesting contrasts and conversations.
Building Your Cheese Selection
Think of your cheese board as telling a story from gentle beginning to bold climax. Here's a framework that works every time:
The Crowd-Pleaser
Start with something familiar and approachable. A good quality cheddar, young gouda, or mild brie fits perfectly here. This cheese welcomes guests who might be intimidated by stronger options.
The Creamy One
Every board needs something luscious and spreadable. Consider triple cream brie, camembert, or a creamy goat cheese. These rich cheeses pair beautifully with crackers and crusty bread.
The Blue
A blue cheese adds drama and intensity. If your guests are adventurous, go for a bold gorgonzola or roquefort. For beginners, a milder gorgonzola dolce or creamy blue provides the experience without overwhelming.
The Hard One
Aged hard cheeses bring depth and complexity. Parmesan, aged cheddar, manchego, or gruyère offer satisfying texture and concentrated flavour.
The Wildcard
If serving five cheeses, add something unexpected—perhaps a washed-rind cheese, a local artisan creation, or something with added flavours like truffle or herbs.
Perfect Cheese Accompaniments
The cheese is the star, but thoughtful accompaniments elevate the entire experience. Here's what to include:
Bread and Crackers
Offer at least two options—perhaps a crusty baguette and a selection of plain crackers. Avoid heavily flavoured crackers that compete with the cheese. Water crackers, lavosh, and grissini are reliable choices.
Fresh Fruit
Seasonal fruit provides refreshing contrast to rich cheese. Grapes are classic, but consider:
- Sliced pears or apples (brush with lemon to prevent browning)
- Fresh figs when in season
- Melon slices
- Strawberries
Dried Fruit and Nuts
These add texture and sweetness that complements cheese beautifully:
- Dried apricots or figs
- Marcona almonds
- Walnuts (especially with blue cheese)
- Candied pecans
Sweet Elements
Honey is a cheese board essential—particularly with blue cheese and aged hard varieties. Also consider:
- Fig paste or quince paste
- Quality preserves
- Dark chocolate (surprisingly good with aged cheddar)
Savoury Additions
Balance the sweetness with savoury elements:
- Olives (cornichons are classic)
- Marinated vegetables
- Quality charcuterie if desired
- Fresh herbs for garnish
The best cheese board balances textures and flavours—creamy and firm, mild and intense, sweet and savoury. Don't overthink it; abundance and variety are more important than perfection.
Wine and Cheese: Classic Pairings
While there are no hard rules, certain wine and cheese combinations are tried and true:
White Wines
- Chardonnay: Pairs well with brie, camembert, and gruyère
- Sauvignon Blanc: Complements fresh goat cheese beautifully
- Riesling: Balances washed-rind and smoked cheeses
Red Wines
- Pinot Noir: Works with brie, camembert, and gruyère
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Stands up to aged cheddar and hard cheeses
- Port: The classic match for blue cheese
The Golden Rule
When in doubt, match intensity—light wines with delicate cheeses, bold wines with strong cheeses. And remember, local wines with local cheeses often create natural harmony.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Not everyone drinks wine, and thoughtful non-alcoholic pairings show equal care:
- Sparkling water: Cleanses the palate between cheeses
- Apple cider: Lovely with cheddar and gouda
- Pear nectar: Complements blue cheese
- Quality grape juice: Mimics wine pairings for non-drinkers
- Tea: Earl Grey with creamy cheeses, chai with aged varieties
Presentation Matters
How you present your cheese board affects the experience almost as much as the selection itself.
The Board
Use a wooden board, slate, marble, or even a large plate. Ensure it's big enough to space cheeses apart with room for accompaniments. Multiple small boards work well for large gatherings.
Arrangement
Place cheeses in a rough circle or along the board, starting with mildest at one end and progressing to strongest. This guides guests through the tasting journey.
Pre-Cutting
Make cheese accessible by pre-cutting a few pieces of each variety. This shows guests how to cut each cheese and removes the intimidation factor. Include small cheese knives or spreaders.
Labels
Small labels identifying each cheese help guests remember what they enjoyed and make for good conversation starters. Include the cheese name and milk type at minimum.
Temperature and Timing
Cold cheese is sad cheese. Remove your board from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before serving to allow flavours to bloom. In hot Australian weather, be mindful of leaving cheese out too long—two hours is the maximum for food safety.
If entertaining for an extended period, refresh the board as needed with fresh cheese from the fridge rather than leaving the same cheese out all evening.
Budget-Friendly Tips
A beautiful cheese board doesn't require spending a fortune:
- Visit the deli counter and ask for small portions of quality cheese rather than buying full wheels or wedges
- Balance one or two premium cheeses with everyday favourites
- Seasonal fruit is more affordable and tastes better
- Make your own pickled vegetables and preserves
- Quality crackers often cost less than specialty cheese per gram—invest in the cheese
Beyond the Basics
Once you're comfortable with fundamentals, start experimenting:
- Theme your boards (all Australian, all goat, etc.)
- Create dessert cheese boards with sweet accompaniments
- Explore local farmers markets for artisan cheeses
- Host cheese tastings where guests rate and discuss each variety
The world of cheese is vast and endlessly interesting. Every board you create teaches you something new about flavours, textures, and what you and your guests enjoy. Don't be afraid to experiment, ask questions at the cheese counter, and most importantly—have fun with it.