🗽 NYC-Inspired Charcuterie Board – The Perfect Wine Festival Pairing

There’s something undeniably chic about a charcuterie board. In New York City, where culture, food, and flair collide, even a simple spread feels like an event. With the NYC Wine & Food Festival approaching, it’s the perfect time to create a board that’s not only delicious but also inspired by the city’s iconic mix of flavors and sophistication. Whether you’re sipping a bold red in Brooklyn or enjoying crisp white wine on a Manhattan rooftop, this charcuterie board is designed to feel both timeless and on-trend.

🧀 What Makes It “NYC-Inspired”?

NYC is all about diversity, so this board blends classic European-style meats and cheeses with local, artisanal flavors you’d easily stumble upon at a Union Square farmer’s market or a Brooklyn deli. Think: creamy New York cheddar, smoky pastrami slices, bagel-inspired crackers, and a drizzle of local honey to tie it all together. It’s a spread that celebrates the city’s love of indulgence, paired with a little metropolitan sophistication.

🥂 Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cheeses: New York sharp cheddar, creamy brie, herbed goat cheese
• Meats: Thinly sliced pastrami, prosciutto, and soppressata
• Breads & Crackers: Everything-bagel crackers, baguette slices, and rye crisps
• Add-Ons: Local honey, fig jam, grainy mustard
• Fresh Bites: Grapes, apple slices, and pickled gherkins
• Nuts & Extras: Roasted almonds, candied pecans, and dark chocolate squares

🗂️ How to Assemble

1. Start with the Cheese: Place wedges of cheddar, brie, and goat cheese at different corners of your board to anchor the layout.
2. Layer in the Meats: Fold pastrami and prosciutto into ribbons and fan them out around the cheeses. Soppressata slices can be stacked neatly or in a circular shape for visual appeal.
3. Add Crackers & Bread: Tuck baguette slices and bagel crackers into open spots. Think of them as your “city sidewalks,” connecting everything together.
4. Sweet & Savory Pops: Spoon a bit of honey into a small dish, place jam next to the cheeses, and scatter grapes and apple slices for freshness.
5. Finishing Touches: Fill gaps with nuts, pickles, and dark chocolate. A drizzle of honey over the cheddar? Chef’s kiss.

🍷 Pair It With…

This board plays well with a Pinot Noir (perfect for the cheddar and pastrami) or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc (which balances beautifully with goat cheese and apples). But honestly? Any bottle you love will feel right at home with this NYC-inspired spread.

Final Bite

The beauty of a charcuterie board is how customizable it is—just like New York itself. Bold, eclectic, and a little indulgent, this spread is a perfect way to celebrate the city that never sleeps while raising a glass to good wine and good company.