Some folks are happy enough with wine and cheese and nothing else, but oh how they’re missing out on the lovely accoutrement: peppers. 

A wine and cheese board is already awesome, but peppers bring an entirely new layer of flavor, texture, and color. Their natural sweetness, crisp bite, roasted depth, or gentle heat helps balance rich cheeses while opening up more interesting wine pairings. 

If you’re not salivating yet, you must read on. 

Fresh Peppers With Cheese

Fresh bell peppers are one of the simplest additions to a board. 

They’re mighty crunchy and they play nice with soft cheeses, like Brie, chèvre, and burrata. The red, yellow, and orange peppers add natural sweetness that softens bolder notes, while green peppers bring a sharper flavor that pairs well with stronger cheeses like aged cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan. 

You know what else? These peppers look pretty, and they say we eat with our eyes first. 

Roasted and Marinated Peppers

Now let’s flip the script. 

Roasted peppers introduce a tender texture and deeper flavor that fit naturally with firmer cheeses. They’re and go well with Manchego, provolone, asiago, and aged gouda. Marinated peppers bring subtle acidity that refreshes the palate after richer bites. 

Whether you roast them yourself—which is a pain—or choose a high-quality jarred option, these peppers are gourmet-ish. 

Adding Controlled Heat

Let’s spice things up, shall we? 

Roasted poblano or sautéed shishito peppers offer warmth rather than intensity, and if you want something bolder, thin slices of Fresno, jalapeño, or cherry peppers can be arranged near creamy cheeses like havarti or mozzarella, which help balance the spice. 

If you’ve got company over, presenting a small range of heat levels allows each person to create their own preferred combination. 

Pepper Pairings With Wine

Thank you for your patience, wine; it’s now your turn. 

Fresh sweet peppers pair well with crisp whites such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, because they highlight the citrus and mineral notes. Roasted peppers complement medium-bodied reds like Merlot, enhancing their fruit and earthy qualities. 

Peppers with a bit of heat pair nicely with wines that soften spice, such as off-dry Riesling or sparkling varieties. The possibilities, right?

Peppers, you brighten rich cheeses, expand pairing options, and bring variety that guests notice. You are an easy, versatile choice that brings everything together with style, and we thank you for that. 

🍷 SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT 🧀

With all this wine and cheese talk, we just have to tell you about our Wine and Cheese Gift Basket. This classic boasts: Chardonnay; Wine cheese; Nuts; Chocolate cherries; Crackers;

Chunk Nibbles; Wooden cutting board; and a Spreader. 

Grab some peppers and you’re golden. 

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!

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