What are Cheese and Wine Hampers, anyway?

It’s known as quite a trendy tradition throughout Australia, America, and the UK, a must have for those special celebrations and occasions, cheese and wine hampers are always a welcomed basket. It’s the thought behind it when it’s brought together, beautifully arranged and wrapped, ready to be distributed to the selected few.

With a combination of sweet and savoury flavours, paired together with an entrancing wine, these delicious hampers are a cravings satisfaction. Here are all the answers to help you to achieve the most complimentary paired baskets.

Who started the tradition?

A tradition that goes back many centuries, hampers are known to have originally started in France, and then made its way to England in the 11^th century, however, it only became recognised as a trend in the early 1800’s. It was seen as a much more convenient way to send perishable goods to friends and family, especially on celebrated occasions like parties and festivities. Christmas time became hamper season, as hampers were distributed to friends and family as well as to employees as gifts.

Best time and season to send cheese and wine hampers

Although the distribution of cheese and wine hampers are tenfold during the festive season, nowadays these popular hampers are well received all year through. Whether it’s gifted on a birthday, anniversary or celebrated achievement, cheese and wine hampers are always a splendor to have. With a wide variety of complimentary accompaniments, these baskets have the potential of turning the ordinary man into a cheese and wine artisan.

Price ranges, and comparisons of cheese, and wine hampers.

DIY vs Bought

We all know that there is a variety of cheese and wine gift hampers to choose from. Readymade and packed to perfection, it is eye candy to us that love gifting and receiving these beautiful baskets. It’s also very convenient, as you just need to pick, pay, and go, but, is it worth the price compared to a DIY cheese and wine hamper? Let’s compare the two and find the best solution for you.

DIY cheese and wine hampers:

There are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to making or buying your gift hampers.

ADVANTAGES:

You can make the individual hampers according to the recipient’s likes and dislikes.
You can choose the amount of goods that go into each hamper making it cost effective.
You can choose the quality of the goods that go into each hamper.
You can pair the goods with a variety of complimentary partners.
You have a choice to incorporate colours, décor and personalized greetings to get a specific look and feel to your hamper.

DISADVANTAGES:

It’s time consuming as you would have to go out and buy everything that you would need to make the gift basket.
You would need to have some knowledge of pairing goods that complement each other, Eg. Which cheese compliments which wine and vice versa. Especially if you are gifting the hamper to someone with fair knowledge about wines and cheeses.

So overall, a DIY Hamper gives you financial and creative control, allowing you to present a custom gift basket that shows both your, and the recipients personalities.

Bought Cheese and Wine Hampers

ADVANTAGES:

It’s readily available to pick and pay.
It comes in all sizes and is decorated for specific occasions.
Presentation is always inviting.

DISADVANTAGES:

It’s expensive to buy as the price increases with the size of the hamper that you choose.
It has seasonal price increases, so it’s more costly to buy during the festive season, as it’s in demand at this time of year.
The quality and quantity of the goods will vary according to the price.

So overall, although bought hampers are convenient as they are readily available, they have the potential to significantly dent your bank account.

What can I put in a wine and cheese gift basket?

Fortunately, there are a variety of goods that you can put into your wine and cheese gift basket, and all that it will depend on is the occasion that you wish to gift it for, or the person that you wish to gift it to. You can follow a specific theme and colour to make your gift basket, as the variety is vast. Your gift basket can convey a special message just by the way it’s presented, so make sure to give some thought to what you put into it. Pairing your cheeses with a specified selection of wines, to complement each other, would be a plus.

What makes the best hampers?

Putting thought into the hamper making process will ensure you a beautiful, tasty, eye catching package. What needs to be considered when making a gift hamper, is whether or not you’re on the right path when pairing your goods. Ask yourself which cheese compliments which wine. The fundamentals of pairing these two, comes down to some very simple rules. Usually a mild cheese would work better with a mild wine, or a saltier cheese would go better with a sweeter wine. These are contributing factors to making the best hampers. So give it some thought, and do a little research to make the best hamper.

Hamper basics

A wicker basket is usually used to make the traditional hamper gift baskets, however through the years there are different packaging options to make your hampers. From custom made gift boxes to bags and containers, the choices are plenty. Here are a few of the basic hamper items that you will need to complete the package.

A wicker basket, gift box, bag or container in the desired size, shape, and colour.
Straw or soft tissue for the base.
A wine of your choice.
A variety of at least 3 cheeses.
A pack of delicious crackers.
A sweet treat of your choice.
Cellophane or a wrap of your choice.
Ribbon to secure the wrap, and to compliment the overall look of the hamper.

These basic must haves will bring together a simple yet elegant hamper. Remember that you have creative control when making your own hamper, so you can add in goods according to the occasion or festivities.

What pairs well with cheese?

With a variety of cheeses to choose from, to pair these cheeses with other items will depend on their taste and sharpness. Wines and crackers go well with cheese, but which wine to which cheese, and which cracker to which wine and cheese? Here are a few solutions to this question.

Mild cheese goes together with a mild wine, and salty crackers.
The saltier the cheese is, the sweeter the wine should be, and the milder the cracker.
The more savoury flavoured cheeses prefer a fruitier flavoured wine, and a salty cracker.

The perfect wine for your hamper

Young goat’s milk cheese should be paired with a sparkling wine like the Cava from Spain.
Sheep milk cheese should be paired with a Viognier, which is a grape wine from Provence.
Cow’s milk cheese which is aged, making it a bit bigger and heavier would need a bigger and heavier wine like a Primitivo from Italy.
Blue cheese which is a little saltier than other cheeses is best complimented with a fruity Port.

Australian hampers, vs UK hampers, vs American hampers

Hampers are a trend in Australia, America and the UK, and have been for a long time. They are given and received with great expectations. So let’s have a look at what these different hampers consists of, to have our very own mental comparison.

Australian hamper

A basic Australian hamper usually consists of a local wine, a variety of at least 3 cheeses, a savoury addition in the form of a cracker or a salty snack and a sweet compliment which can be in the form of fruit or chocolate.

American hamper

A basic American hamper consists of a wine of your choice, a variety of at least 3 cheeses, crackers, honey or jam, and a couple of wine glasses.

UK hamper

A basic UK hamper consists of a choice of red or white wine, at least 3 cheeses, a savoury biscuit, and a bottle of chutney.

With a choice of additional items, the quantity in these hampers can be enhanced at an additional cost.

Top 5 hamper combinations

Here is a list of the top 5 hamper combinations:

A cabernet sauvignon partnered with a merlot, goats cheese, blue cheese, age old cows cheese, a savoury cracker and savoury snack of your choice, complimented with the semi-sweet dark chocolate and butterscotch cookies.
A cabernet sauvignon partnered with a merlot, blue cheese, sharp cheddar, young goats cheese, a savoury cracker, seasoned steak bites and caramel popcorn.
A cabernet sauvignon accompanied by smoked mozzarella, gouda, and blue cheese, smoked salmon and peperoni, with crackers and fruit.
A cabernet sauvignon with gouda, blue cheese and curd, complimented with crackers, salted nut, olives and fruit.
A delicious pink rose, accompanied by a mild cheddar, garlic cheddar, and blue cheese, complimented with crackers, dark chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.

The choices are endless.