The holiday seasons are coming! But with 2020 we don't really need an excuse to crack open a bottle of wine, right?

Whether you are hoping to entertain this coming Christmas, or planning a social-distanced ladies night, or just wanting to spend movie night quarantine, having a cheese platter makes it all fancy.

The best thing about a charcuterie board or cheese board is that it is versatile, and you can add anything you want to it, and style it any way you want.

It's a great appetizer for any occasion, but it can also go as snacks for an intimate gathering.

Are you ready to set up your cheese board? Let's get started!

How To Assemble A Charcuterie Platter

1.    Invest in a good cheeseboard. Having a quality cheese board is the first step to creating this party favourite. You want a high-grade wooden tray that serves as the backdrop for your cheese and meats. There are square, rectangular and round shapes to choose from.

2.    A proper cheese selection matters. A cheeseboard needs cheese, of course! You need to have a variety of flavours and textures. Expert food stylists recommend having a sharp and aged cheese like cheddar if you can only use one cheese. Manchego is a firm kind of cheese that also goes well with the rest. And then add a soft cheese like brie or goat to really serve texture to your board.

3.    Don't forget the charcuterie. Cold cuts and cured meats elevate any cheese board and really give a feast for the palate. Think salami, mortadella or prosciutto.

4.    Something sweet. I love candied mangoes because it's really a sharp contrast to all the flavours. Dried fruits, honey, chutney, and coated nuts are also great choices. Of course, don't call it a proper cheeseboard without chocolate!

5.    Something savoury. You can go for almonds or nuts if you're not feeling adventurous. But olives, pickles, and roasted peppers make a great difference in this platter.

6.    Crackers and bread. We recommend going for a clean and sharp flavoured cracker so that it serves as the perfect base for all the other flavours. You can also add breadsticks and baguettes to your liking.

Style them any way you want and make sure the colours pop out. Use cheese markers to label cheese so everyone knows what they're getting. The best way to prepare this is to bring the cheese into room temperature for the flavours come out.

Finally, bring out your best bottle of wine. Good Housekeeping recommends white wine instead of red because the tannins in red wine can often do the opposite of complementing a cheese.

Don't forget to serve with knives, spoons, and toothpicks. Now go make that perfect cheeseboard, Cin Cin!