Manchego and Camembert. Merlot and Cabernet.

Preparing for a wine and cheese party in Boston can be a very fun prelude to the evening. Instead of getting everything at the super-market, discover the smaller, specialized shops around town that not only will have a much larger selection, but will also answer your questions and concerns (wine and cheese related of course) and help you with pairing.

First thing you’ll want to get is the cheese- but don’t go crazy with numerous varieties. You’re better off serving a few really good cheeses with the right wines, than a smorgasbord-style platter. Make the South End Formaggio on 268 Shawmut Avenue, or their even larger location, Formaggio Kitchen, in Cambridge, your first (and probably your last) stop for cheese. This shop has over 100 types of cheese from all over the world, and best of all you can ask to sample anything before you buy it.

What you decide on is really a matter of personal preference, but certain cheeses are guaranteed crowd-pleasers as are their wine counterparts.

Camembert, a very popular French cheese is similar to Brie but with a slightly more robust flavor. Fruity, red wines are ideal with this cheese and you can choose from a lighter wine like a Beaujolais or a more full-bodied wine like a Cabernet-Sauvignon.

Another guaranteed winning wine-cheese combination is fresh goat’s cheese, or Chevre, paired with a softer white wine like a Vouvray or Sauvignon Blanc. Both wines are fresh, crisp, and refreshing and will perfectly compliment the slight sharpness of fresh goat cheese.

Manchego from Spain, a firm cheese made from sheep’s milk that tastes zesty and delivers wild herb aromas, is even tastier when paired with a soft red wine like Merlot. If you still won't drink Merlot after watching Sideways pick up a preferred better half to Manchego found in a Rioja from Spain.

The Wine Gallery in Brookline is an especially cool place to check out for wine since they’ve installed a wine-juke box allowing you to taste up to 48 wines that are currently playing at the time.

You may already have the perfect craft of opening the wine bottle, but serving cheese can be a bit complicated. Crackers are alright, but fresh bread tastes so much better. Also it’s nice to have some fruit (fresh or dried) available. Try to be bold and get something more exotic than your usual grapes and apples. Quince, pear slices, dry or fresh figs, and raspberries will add exciting players on the cheese table field.

Don’t forget the 15 minute rule: Chill red wines in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving, and remove white wines from the fridge 15 minutes before serving. This little switch-a-roo will give the wines you serve their best flavor.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user fatal Cleopatra

Post contributed by Victoria Daskal.