How to host the best aperitivo gathering

Telegraph

08-04-2025

The aperitivo is Italian through and through, usually enjoyed between 6pm and 8pm and with the emphasis on slowing down, unwinding and looking forward to the evening ahead. A range of drinks and delicious snacks open the evening ahead of you, providing a relaxing bridge between the pressures of the day and a time to enjoy great food and drink in good company. The setting and atmosphere are as important as the food and drink, striking the perfect balance between casual and stylish.
Hosting an aperitivo with Parmigiano Reggiano as the centrepiece spotlights both Italian culture and the varying flavours and pairings of this traditional cheese. Here's how best to do it:
Wooden boards and elegant plates
Use wooden boards, slate or marble slabs to present the cheese and serve larger snacks such as focaccia, salad vegetables, charcuterie and bruschetta. Clusters of fruit add variety and decoration, with small bowls for olives, nuts, honey, olive oil and savoury preserves.
Plain, elegant plates allow the food to shine and small side plates work well as some people will prefer to nibble while others can go back for heartier seconds.
Lighting and scent
Candles and strings of fairy lights make for a warm atmosphere as the sun sets, and small vases stuffed with rosemary or mint add a deliciously scented air. They're also highly practical, as sprigs can be torn off and added to some of the food and drink.
Classy glassware
Use fine stemmed glasses for wine, flutes for anything sparkling and lowball glasses for cocktails.
Cushions and throws
The final perfect detail to the setting is to ensure comfortable seating, with soft cushions and throws encouraging guests to snuggle in, to linger and enjoy easy conversation.
The cheese
The finest cheese bites can be made by baking thin slices of Parmigiano Reggiano until they turn golden and crispy, either for eating on their own or with any of the tasty accompaniments. Or try the lovely contrast of cream cheese on thin toast, topped with a slice of Prosciutto di Parma and shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano.
Both green and black olives combined with Parmigiano Reggiano and a squeeze of lemon promise an explosion of taste on their own, as well as being equally delicious alongside bread and meat.
Drink choices
So to the wine, which can bring out the best in the food and your aperitivo. It's tempting to say Parmigiano Reggiano, with the unexpected and unparalleled flavours and aromas that it acquires through the maturation months, goes perfectly with your favourite drink, whatever that might be. However, it can be even more delicious with a wine with enough sparkle or acidity to complement the cheese and also balance its richness. Prosecco, cava and champagne are an intrinsic part of an aperitivo for many, providing the perfect light sparkling contrast to the savoury cheese. If red is preferred, then chianti is always a big hit, offering a fruitier contrast to the cheese.
Coming from the same area as Parmigiano Reggiano, Lambrusco was always going to be on the same table, although this lightly sparkling, low-alcohol red wine is a great divider of opinion.
Pinot grigio is an excellent palate cleanser between bites of food, fresh with a touch of fruitiness, and sweeter dessert wines such as vin santo can contrast beautifully with the cheeses.
A cocktail such as a negroni is perfect for an aperitivo, with the complex flavours of gin, Campari, and vermouth producing an involuntary shudder with its first bitter taste. It's a strangely compelling flavour and provides an interesting contrast to the cheese and snacks.
With Parmigiano Reggiano as the centrepiece, everything else falls beautifully into place, heralding an evening of good food, delicious drinks and easy conversation. Enjoyable company and the time to relax in lovely surroundings ensures an aperitivo has an inviting vibe that encourages you to try a nibble of every tasty delight laid out before you. Everything complements the cheese and you can feel all the tension of the day slip away and a relaxing warmth take its place as you enjoy a tradition that never loses its appeal.