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We adore antipasto platters because they offer endless opportunities for creativity while keeping things simple and stress-free. Whether you're a seasoned host or a first-timer, putting together an antipasto platter lets you explore a wide variety of flavors, textures, and colors—without spending all day in the kitchen. What’s even better is that antipasto platters are perfect for large groups. You can set up a few platters around the room—at the table, at the bar, or even on the coffee table—creating a more relaxed, intimate atmosphere. This encourages guests to mingle and discover different combinations, and it allows for moments of quieter conversation over a shared love of great food.
The beauty of an antipasto platter lies in its versatility. You can curate it to fit any occasion or season, from fresh fruits and veggies to rich cheeses and bold charcuterie. And since there's no right or wrong way to build one, you get to experiment with combinations that suit your personal taste and the preferences of your guests. But when it comes to pairing wine with an antipasto platter, there are a few key considerations. The wine should complement the wide array of flavors without overpowering them, creating a harmonious experience from the first bite to the last sip.
While it’s hard to go wrong with any wine pairing when it comes to cheese and charcuterie, we recommend serving a crisp, fruit-forward Chardonnay like the K-J AVANT Chardonnay. Its bright acidity and fresh, vibrant fruit notes bring a refreshing balance to the rich, savory elements of your antipasto platter, perfectly enhancing everything from the creamy cheeses to the salty cured meats. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just enjoying a small, intimate gathering, this wine is sure to elevate the experience, bringing together the best of both food and wine.
The Perfect Antipasto Platter
Recipe Type:
Appetizer
Prep Time:
45 minutes
Servings:
8
Ingredients
Fruits and Veggies:
- Grapes (both red and green)
- Apple slices
- Sliced raw Belgian endive
- Cantaloupe
Nuts:
- Marcona almonds
Meats:
- Prosciutto
- Soppressata
Olives: (serve in a small bowl)
Bread and Crackers:
- Your favorite crackers
- A loaf of fresh bread
Cheeses:
- Aged cheese (e.g., cheddar, comté)
- Soft cheese (e.g., camembert, goat cheese, brie)
- Firm cheese (e.g., manchego)
- Blue cheese (e.g., gorgonzola dolce)
Condiments:
- Fig jam
Instructions
Determine Quantities:
- For 8 people: 3 pounds of ingredients, 6 pounds for 16 people, or 9 pounds for 24.
- Cheese: Plan for 4-5 ounces per person.
Prepare Ingredients:
- Fruits & Veggies: Wash and separate grapes; slice apples and endive; cut cantaloupe into bite-sized pieces.
- Cheese: Let cheeses come to room temperature for an hour. Slice hard cheeses, wedge soft cheeses, and crumble blue cheeses.
- Meats: Arrange prosciutto and soppressata in loose folds. Slice other meats thinly if using.
- Nuts & Condiments: Place Marcona almonds in a bowl, and spoon fig jam into a small dish.
- Bread & Crackers: Slice bread into thin toasts, and arrange crackers.
Assemble the Platters:
- Spread out cheese, meats, and bread in different sections. Scatter fruits, veggies, and nuts around.
- Place olives and fig jam in small bowls, ensuring balance and variety across the platter.
Serve:
- Place platters in easy-to-reach spots for guests to enjoy, ensuring variety without overcrowding any one section.
Make-Ahead Tips for the Best Antipasto Platter
Hosting an event can be stressful, but with a little advance prep, you can make sure the antipasto platter comes together with ease. One of my favorite tricks is to prep most of the ingredients the day before. Fruits like grapes and apples can be washed, sliced, and stored in airtight containers. Meats and cheeses can also be pre-sliced, wrapped tightly, and kept in the fridge. If you're planning to serve bread, slice it into thin toasts and store it in an airtight container to keep it crisp. Crackers can stay in their packaging or a resealable bag. Condiments, like fig jam, and olives can be placed in small bowls and covered. On the day of your event, you’ll only need to assemble everything, making the process quick and easy. This way, you get to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests and a nice glass of wine.
Seasonal Variations for Your Antipasto Platter
What I love most about antipasto platters is how easily they can evolve with the seasons. In the spring, I find myself gravitating toward light, vibrant ingredients—fresh prosciutto, spring vegetables like snap peas or radishes, and fresh strawberries. As the weather warms up in summer, I swap in juicy peaches, berries, and melon, adding grilled veggies like zucchini or bell peppers for that smoky char. Fall is when I lean into heartier options, so roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes and squash make an appearance, along with the richness of figs and pomegranate seeds. In the colder months, I reach for roasted nuts and more substantial cheeses, and I love adding citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits to brighten things up. Each season brings its own fresh flavors and textures, and by adjusting your platter, you’ll keep things feeling new and exciting all year long.
Pairing Your Antipasto Platter with Kendall-Jackson Wines
Pairing wine with an antipasto platter is all about balance—finding wines that complement the wide variety of flavors and textures. Kendall-Jackson offers a range of wines that work wonderfully with antipasto, whether you’re enjoying it as a light bite or a centerpiece of your gathering.
For a crisp, refreshing option, Chardonnay is an ideal choice. This versatile white wine often has bright acidity, which helps cleanse the palate between bites of salty meats and creamy cheeses. Its fruit-forward flavors, ranging from citrus to green apple, complement fresh fruits like grapes and apples, while its gentle oak character works beautifully with rich cheeses like brie or goat cheese. If you’re serving a variety of meats, Chardonnay’s balance of acidity and body can stand up to both the lighter prosciutto and the more robust soppressata.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more vibrant, Sauvignon Blanc offers crisp, herbaceous flavors that pair perfectly with fresh veggies like endive or raw bell peppers. The wine’s bright citrus notes and herbal undertones bring out the natural sweetness of fruits and cut through the richness of the meats and cheeses. It’s a fantastic pairing if you're leaning into fresh, seasonal ingredients on your platter.
For those who prefer red wine, Pinot Noir is always a safe bet. Its lighter body, soft tannins, and red fruit flavors—think cherry, raspberry, and cranberry—bring out the savory flavors in meats like prosciutto, and its subtle complexity pairs well with blue cheeses like Gorgonzola. Pinot Noir’s smooth, approachable style makes it an excellent choice when you want a red that doesn’t overpower the more delicate elements of your platter.
No matter which wine you choose, Kendall-Jackson’s wide selection ensures you can find a perfect match that elevates your antipasto experience, bringing together flavors in a way that only great wine can. Cheers to creating the ultimate wine and food pairing that will have your guests coming back for more!
