For summer hosts across the country, few pairings are as timeless and crowd-pleasing as wine and cheese. Approachable, easy to find and naturally complementary, these warm-weather favorites are a perfect fit for a variety of occasions.

Make Entertaining Simple and Fun

According to sommelier Sam Capaldi, summer entertaining is about good food, good wine and creating a space where people feel welcome. Capaldi’s ideal celebration is simple: a few loved ones gathered on the patio, cheese boards in the center of the table, bottles of wine chilling on ice, music playing in the background and a card game that gets competitive.

Capaldi wants hosts to remember that the best pairings aren’t just what’s in the glass and on the board – it’s the people, moments and memories that come with them. In partnership with Cracker Barrel Cheese, Capaldi is sharing simple tips for hosts looking to elevate their summer soirees without the hassle.

Create Memorable, Crowd-Pleasing Pairings

Capaldi recommends choosing versatile wines that pair well with a variety of flavors and textures. Some of his favorite approachable wine and Cracker Barrel Cheese pairings include a refreshing white wine with Sharp White Cheddar, a fruity rosé with Extra Sharp Yellow and Sharp White Cheddar, and Pinot grigio with Vermont Sharp White Cheddar.

Summer offers an abundance of fresh produce and seasonal flavors that can elevate any gathering without overcomplicating the occasion. Capaldi recommends adding frozen fruit to wine, such as strawberries, peaches or mangos, to keep the wine cold without watering it down and add a subtle burst of fruit flavor.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.