Easy Entertaining: Host a Champagne & Chevre Party

Many of you know of my love of cheese and of Champagne. I have just learned that my two loves pair perfectly! Champagne or sparkling wine pairs so nicely with goat cheese that we built an entire party around it! This party theme would be perfect for New Year's, for a bridal shower, a girls' night in party, or just a glorious way to spend the evening... grazing through different goat cheese and wine pairings. Here's all you need:

All Photos by Arden PhotographyFirst, the Chevre (goat cheese). We selected several types from Belle Chevre:  

Belle and the Bees Spreadable Chevre (flavored with honey)

Fig Breakfast Chevre

Montrachet Style Goat Cheese

Greek Kiss

Next, the accompaniments:

Quince Spread (or Dulce de Membrillo, quince paste from Spain)

Fig Spread

Olive and Sinclair Cinnamon Chili Chocolate

Marinated Artichoke Hearts

Assorted Olives 

Honey

Proscuitto (Italian cured ham)

Fresh baguette loaf (or other fresh bread)

Chambord Champagne Cocktail in Villeroy & Boch Allegorie FlutesAnd last but by no means, least, the bubbly:

We tried a reasonably priced French Champagne and loved it with the Chevre and with the chocolate. Champagne Aubry Brut Jouy-Les-Reims Premier Cru ($35) was on special at Whole Foods and was as nice as any $50 bottle of bubbly with more recognizable names. Try it! We tried this Champagne with two tablespoons creme de cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur and it was wonderful.

Here's a list of Champagne and sparkling wine options at every price range.

Best Combinations

Cut the baguette into thin slices. Spread the honey chevre and grate it some of the chocolate over the top and broil until it becomes melty. Divine!

Another good one- spread or crumble the goat cheese onto the bread, add proscuitto, olives, or artichoke hearts. Broil until cheese melts and bread is toasty. Yum. Like a mini-pizza.

Fig spread, goat cheese, proscuitto, and a drizzle of honey. Salty sweet deliciousness.

Mix and match, try your own concoctions and have a great time!

BELLE CHEVRE GOAT CHEESE IS PROUDLY PRODUCED IN THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA BY MY LOVELY FRIEND, CHEESEMAKER, FOODIE, and MyRecipes.com video host TASIA MALAKASIS.... get more great goat cheese recipes now. Watch her video!

ANOTHER SHOUT OUT TO A NEW FAVORITE: OLIVE & SINCLAIR CHOCOLATE IS SOUTHERN ARTISAN CHOCOLATE MADE BY HAND IN NASHVILLE. Sigh....:)

YOU CAN FIND MANY LOCALLY PRODUCED ITEMS AT YOUR LOCAL ORGANIC GROCER, FARMER'S MARKET OR AT WHOLE FOODS. PLEASE SUPPORT SMALL PRODUCERS OF BEAUTIFUL, YUMMY, FINE QUALITY PRODUCTS!