How to Make a Beautiful Spanish Cheese Board

A couple of weeks ago several of my girlfriends came over for mommy happy hour. I had just received two bottles of Freixenet, pronounced “fresh-eh-net," sparkling wine to sample and pair with food (yes, this job really has it's perks at times... bubbly at my doorstep totally makes up for working late at night). Freixenet is known as "the Black Bottle Bubbly" because of it's sleek trademark black bottle. Made in Spain, Spanish finger foods seemed like the natural compliment. The Freixenet Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvée is fruity and sweet - perfect for serving with brunch or dessert. With my savory Spanish tapas I wanted something drier, and the crisp and clean Cordon Negro Brut was perfect.

A Spanish cheese plate is perfect for easy holiday entertaining. Here's a simple way to put one together. 

Choose 3 Spanish Cheeses: 
Manchego
​Mitica Mahon
Iberico
Idiazábal
​Crema de Cabrales
*That round cheese is absolutely not Spanish. It is absolutely delicious, however, and there weren't any soft Spanish cheeses in my market. I have failed you, I know... This is the Cranberry Gorgonzola Torta from Trader Joe's with pomegranate seeds on top.

Add something sweet (choose 1): 
Membrillo Quince Paste
Good honey
Fig jam

And something savory:  
olives
marinated artichoke hearts
sundried tomatoes
roasted garlic

Add some nuts: 
Marcona almonds
Spanish cocktail nuts mix (available at some specialty grocery stores including Whole Foods)

Pick a base: 
Flatbread crackers (I used rosemary sea salt crisps)
Sliced baguette

Decorate with seasonal fruit (Winter fruit below): 
Mandarin oranges
Pomegranates
Apples
Dried apricots

Add an App. (optional): 
Butternut Squash Empanadas

Spanish Wine

We loved Freixenet cava with our Spanish cheeses and tapas, and at around $12 per bottle, it's more affordable than many other sparkling wines. Freixenet is giving away a 2 year lease on a Mini Cooper. I really want one - they are the cutest! Go enter here.

Cheers and have fun with your Spanish get-together. My one and only request is that you don't drink and drive. When my girlfriends get together for happy hour we always have our hubbies meet up with us and drive us home.

Who says the holidays are the only time for bubbles?  Make it your resolution to sparkle 365 days of the year with Freixenet cavas. Our sparkling wines come in a variety of different styles to suit any moment or mood. Cordon Negro Brut, our classic Black Bottle Bubbly, is great as an aperitif before a night out on the town or at home with takeout pizza. Our brand new Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvee is the perfect match for brunch favorites like pancakes and eggs benedict. Visit FreixenetUSA.com for more information about where to buy Freixenet sparkling wines and learn how you could win a 2-year lease on a new 2013 MINI Cooper.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Freixenet. The opinions and text are all mine.