People these days are so difficult to buy for, especially with the ease of online shopping. Who wants to buy someone something they may not even like? That’s why a personalised gift like a hamper is great for any and every occasion. Did you know that hampers were first introduced to England by France back in the 11th century? The Christmas hamper is actually a key Christmas tradition in British culture. How cool is that?
Are you already looking for the best Christmas gift hamper for your best friend? Cheese and wine go together like cheese and wine. Just like you and your bestie. Why not treat your BFF by creating them their very own cheese and wine hamper? You know your best friend’s taste the best and would be able to create a beautiful and thoughtful gift hamper.
Hampers are also a great gift idea for birthdays and general gift ideas. Are you looking to create an experience out of a gift? A cheese and wine hamper is a great gift idea that you can centre around the perfect picnic date.
We have all the tips you need to create your own cheese and wine hamper, so why not put your creativity to the test and get hampering!
What To Put In A Cheese And Wine Hamper
Hamper Basics
First of all, you’ll need to get the basics sorted to build your hamper. A basket or small crate is a good start, and you’ll need some tissue paper to protect your delectables.
The perfect hamper is an assortment of goodies that all pair nicely together. We’ve compiled some delicious ideas to put in your cheese and wine hamper below.
Photo by @adelaidefoodcentral on Instagram
All About Cheese
You’ll want a good variety of hard and soft cheeses. The following types of cheeses are all excellent choices.
- Halloumi
- Goat's cheese
- Camembert
- Gouda
If you want the best quality products included in your hamper (of course you do), then try adding some cheese products from regional producers. The Barossa Valley Cheese Company is colloquially named the winemaker’s cheese and for good reason - Managing Director, Victoria McClurg, is also a qualified winemaker! You can visit the cheese cellar in Angaston and enjoy a cheese tasting experience to inform your hamper choices.
Spicy Delights To Pair With Your Cheese
A cheese and wine hamper would be amiss without some sort of cured meat. Choose a variety based on your loved one’s spice tolerance - some may love spice and others won’t be able to handle the heat.
A good quality mettwurst never goes astray and after you visit The Barossa Cheese Company Co, why not head to Steiny’s Traditional Mettwurst in Nuriootpa and make a - tasty - day of it?
Don’t Leave Your Cheese Hamper Cracker Lackin’
Crackers are a must! How else are you going to stack your crumbly cheese and mettwurst without making a mess? The most important aspect of a hamper is making sure the products complement one another. Crackers are a great addition since they add a crunch factor that works well with the softness of the cheese.
You can get the perfect crunch factor in the Barossa Valley Cheese Co crispbread crackers which you can conveniently grab on your food tasting trip. Some Barossa Bark - big, lavosh-style crispbread - from the Barossa Kitchen is also an excellent regional addition.
The Perfect Wine For Your Hamper: Barossa
Let’s not forget the perfect wine for your hamper. Everyone has a favourite tipple, but if you’re not a wine connoisseur, the white, red and sparkling varieties above are all safe choices. Just go off of the colour your loved one usually drinks or if it has bubbles.
There’s no better excuse to go on a wine tasting than to buy a gift for someone, so between your cheese and mettwurst tastings, head to a few local Barossa wineries. The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine regions and boasts an impressive 180+ wineries. Penfold’s cellar door is a quick 6-minute drive from The Barossa Cheese Company Co, and Steiny’s is right next door. Other top Barossa winery choices include Seppeltsfield, Hentley Farm and Pindarie Wines.
Don’t Forget Some Fruity Pairings In Your Hamper
Unless you’re a pro when it comes to cheese and wine pairings, you might not know that fruit is a great pairing to include in your hamper. Fruit adds sweetness and contrasts with the saltiness of the cheese. Berries, pears, oranges and dried apricots are all great choices depending on your wine variety - don’t forget to check the sweetness or dryness of your wine choice as this will influence the perfect fruit pairing. Below, we’ve listed a few wine and fruit pairings.
- Pindarie Red Wine pairs well with dried or fresh apricots; it's great in winter.
- Hentley Farm Sparkling White pairs nicely with citrus fruits like oranges. It's the perfect way to celebrate the warmer weather.
- Penfold's Cellar Reserve Viognier is the perfect winter white and pairs well with apricots, oranges and mangoes.
If you don’t want to risk squashed fruit in your hamper, why not try adding a condiment like the Barossa Relish Tonic and Pear Paste or the Beerenberg Quince Paste?
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Send A Cheese And Wine Hamper To Their Door
Have you run out of time to DIY the perfect gift hamper or can’t get to the Barossa to experience their great products? Edible Blooms proudly supports local, and we value connecting our customers to regional products like the Barossa cheeses and wines in our hampers. The Barossa Wine and Cheese Gift Hamper and the Luxury Cheese Hamper each include cheese and wine favourites from the Barossa region.
You can also get the hamper delivered straight to your special someone - distance isn’t an issue, regardless of if they’re in isolation or live in a state with border restrictions. Next-Day delivery is free over $120 if you order by 4 pm EST the business day before your preferred delivery date.
For more smile creating gift ideas, follow us on Instagram @edibleblooms.au or Facebook @EdibleBlooms.
