Wine & Lavender Infused Meat & Cheese Board

Kievonna
Jun 2
2 min read

Some gatherings don’t need a reason.

I wanted to connect with my mom, my aunts, and one of my best friends - women I love, women who pour into me in their own ways. I hadn’t seen everyone in a while, so I texted them to wear something in purple or deep wine red, and told them to come hungry.

The inspiration started with a single wedge of port wine-infused cheese. It was on sale. I didn’t even need cheese, but it called to me. That one wedge opened my eyes to the idea of flavor pairing - of curating a moment, not just a board. I started pulling together elements that spoke the same language: richness, depth, softness, a little mystery.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to theme your board. A mood. A memory. A flavor profile. Let it guide you, then add wine, and let love do the rest.

I found lavender and honey sheep's milk cheese. Lavender and espresso rubbed cheese. A merlot-infused cheese. Suddenly, I wasn’t just building a board. I was building a story. A sensory experience.

To balance the richness of the cheeses, I added cured meats with just as much character: beef salami infused with merlot, beef prosciutto, and traditional prosciutto. These choices felt instinctual- what would I pair with a rich red wine if I were serving steak? That question led the way.

The flavors were bold but not overpowering. Salty, earthy, floral, and silky. This wasn’t about variety for variety’s sake. It was about harmony. About telling a story with taste. About celebrating how different notes can come together and still sing in the same key.

And when everyone arrived, dressed in their hues of plum and merlot, we clinked glasses of berry sangria and laughed long into the afternoon. I felt proud, not just of the board, but of what it represented.

This was about more than cheese.

It was about taking time. Creating space. Honoring connection. Making even the small moments feel like a toast.