Curated Wine & Appetizers List

🧀 1. Goat Cheese Crostini with Honey & Thyme

Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc

Why it works: The tangy goat cheese and floral honey are lifted by the citrusy acidity of Sauvignon Blanc, keeping the bite fresh and balanced.

How to Make:

• Toast baguette slices

• Spread goat cheese

• Drizzle with honey

• Sprinkle with fresh thyme & sea salt

🥓 2. Honey-Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Wine Pairing: Sparkling Rosé or Lambrusco

Why it works: Sweet, salty, and smoky flavors love bubbles and red fruit notes. A chilled Sparkling Rosé cuts the richness and enhances the sweetness.

How to Make:

• Stuff pitted dates with almonds or cheese

• Wrap in half slice of bacon

• Bake at 400°F for 15–20 min

• Brush with warm honey

🍑 3. Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Honey Drizzle

Wine Pairing: Prosecco or Dry Riesling

Why it works: The crisp bubbles of Prosecco or the juicy acidity of a dry Riesling balance sweet peaches, salty prosciutto, and honey.

How to Make:

• Slice fresh peaches

• Wrap with thin prosciutto

• Drizzle lightly with honey

• Add mint leaf (optional)

🥬 4. Endive Boats with Blue Cheese, Walnuts & Honey

Wine Pairing: Sauternes or Late Harvest Viognier

Why it works: Bold blue cheese and sweet honey need a lush, sweet white with acidity. Sauternes adds complexity and balance.

How to Make:

• Fill endive leaves with crumbled blue cheese

• Add chopped walnuts

• Drizzle with honey and a crack of black pepper

🍤 5. Honey-Sriracha Shrimp Skewers

Wine Pairing: Off-Dry Gewürztraminer

Why it works: Spicy shrimp needs a wine with low alcohol and residual sugar. Gewürztraminer cools the heat and complements honey’s sweetness.

How to Make:

• Marinate shrimp in honey + sriracha + lime juice (30 min)

• Skewer and grill or pan-sear

• Garnish with green onion

🍞 6. Ricotta & Honey Toast with Crushed Pistachios

Wine Pairing: Chenin Blanc (Off-Dry)

Why it works: Creamy ricotta and nutty pistachios are perfect with the bright fruit and slight sweetness of Chenin Blanc.

How to Make:

• Toast slices of rustic bread

• Spread ricotta cheese

• Drizzle with honey

• Top with crushed pistachios and flaky salt

🍗 7. Mini Chicken & Waffles with Honey Butter

Wine Pairing: Sparkling Wine (Brut or Extra Dry)

Why it works: Sparkling wine lightens the dish and brings contrast to the richness, while matching the sweetness of the honey butter.

How to Make:

• Use frozen mini waffles & popcorn chicken

• Mix softened butter with honey

• Assemble and serve warm

🧆 8. Honey Drizzled Fried Halloumi Bites

Wine Pairing: Assyrtiko (Greece) or Albariño

Why it works: Halloumi’s saltiness + honey’s sweetness need a zesty white with minerality to cut through the texture.

How to Make:

• Slice and pan-fry halloumi in olive oil until golden

• Drizzle with honey

• Optional: Add chili flakes or lemon zest