Pastoral's tips for cheese platters

CHICAGO (WLS) -- New Year's Eve celebrations are all about finger food, and cheese platters are an easy way to give your guests something to snack on. But what cheese should you choose, and how do you best pair it with drinks? Alex Armstrong, cheese and wine expert with Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, came into our studio to share tips to entertain.

Alex's Tips:

For a quiet NYE at home:

Cheese: Miette - Baetje farms, MO (sheep and goat milk)

Accompaniment: Pig & fig terrine from Smoking Goose in Indiana

Beverage: R. Poullion 'Brut Reserve' (cuvee)

For entertaining guests in your home:

Cheese: Roman Conquest Deluxe Cheese Tray (Creamy and slightly funky Quadrello di Bufala (water buffalo), Mountain Gorgonzola (cow), Bianco Sardo (sheep), Pantaleo (goat), toasted hazelnuts, dried Mission figs, Calabrese salami, mild Coppa, roasted tomatoes and olives, baguette and flatbreads)

Beverage: Andrea Oberto Barolo (wine), for a sparkling toast: Furlan Prosecco

Non-alcoholic beverage: Mix Quince & apple rhubarb-hops cocktail syrup in soda water

For going out:

Cheese: 1655 Gruyere (Switzerland)

Beverage: Mawby Blanc de Blancs (Leelenau Peninsula)

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastoralArtisan

Twitter: @pastoralchicago

Instagram: @pastoralchicago