Rustic Vineyard Cheese Grapes (Printable Version)

Whole cheese wheels adorned with grapevines and fresh grapes for a rustic, natural centerpiece.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Cheese

01 - 2 large wheels (approximately 3.3 lb each) of young, rustic, unfinished cheese such as tomme, young pecorino, or farmhouse cheese

→ Fresh Produce

02 - 3 to 4 long, untreated grapevine branches with leaves and stems, washed and dried
03 - 1.1 lb fresh grapes (red, green, or mixed), left on the stem if possible

→ Accompaniments (optional)

04 - 1 baguette or rustic country bread, sliced
05 - 3.5 oz assorted nuts such as walnuts or almonds
06 - 3.5 oz dried fruits such as figs or apricots

# How to Make It:

01 - Carefully lay the grapevine branches over and around the cheese wheels on a large wooden board or rustic platter, allowing the leaves and stems to drape naturally for a lush vineyard effect.
02 - Tuck clusters of fresh grapes among the grapevines and around the cheese wheels to enhance color and freshness.
03 - Arrange sliced bread and optional accompaniments such as nuts and dried fruits in small piles around the cheese and grapevines.
04 - Present the ensemble at room temperature. To enjoy, cut slices of cheese and pair them with grapes, bread, and accompaniments as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero cooking and comes together in fifteen minutes.
  • The grapevines add rusticity and visual drama that guests genuinely remember.
  • Sharing from a board like this transforms eating cheese from casual snacking into an actual occasion.
02 -
  • Never use grapevines treated with pesticides—they'll be touching the cheese directly, and nothing kills the beauty of a moment like food safety concerns.
  • If you can't source actual grapevine branches, fresh grape leaves work perfectly well and create almost the same effect, though the vines themselves have more dramatic presence.
03 -
  • Assemble the board no more than thirty minutes before serving so the vines stay fresh and the cheese doesn't warm and weep.
  • If guests seem intimidated by the vines, break the ice by showing them how easy it is to cut the cheese and build a bite—they'll relax into it immediately.
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