Cheese spreads are amazing! And cheese goes hand-in-hand with wine, so why not add wine to your cheese?
This Red Wine Cheese Spread is an appetizer dip that blends flavors of caramelized onions, rosemary, red wine, honey and cream cheese. The perfect cream cheese spread for crackers!
I got this cream cheese spread idea from my recent visit to taste the new Fleming’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar menu. Wine and Cheese Spread has a unique flavor combination that can only be described as dry and cheesy.
So skip the store bought cheese ball and give this a whirl!
Dry like drinking a dry red wine, full bodied and tannic. The original recipe used blue cheese, but the taste and smell is too much for so many people that I changed my version to use feta cheese.
Similar in texture, dry and crumbly, but without the pungent flavor. You can still revert back to the blue, if you choose.
To cut the acidity, I added pureed caramelized onions and honey. Rosemary adds an earthy undertone and whipped cream cheese is the base.
Any type of dry red wine can be used to make this spread. Some of my favorites include cabernet, merlot and pinot noir. You can also use a cooking wine which has a much lower alcohol content.
This cream cheese spread not cooked, so it does contain alcohol. Do not feed to children or women who are expecting.
I recommend pairing Wine and Cheese Spread with a sweeter red wine, grapes and Rosemary Focaccia Bread or salty, buttery crackers.
What to serve with wine? Well depending on the type of wine you are drinking you can serve wine with shrimp, cheese, olives, fruits and fresh baked breads. You can also check out my post on creating the perfect Cheese Platter.
Check out my Wine Pairing 101 to learn how to pair your wines and a few party tricks that will have folks thinking you are a true wino.
This cheese spread recipe can be garnished with fresh rosemary, although that isn’t so pleasant to chew, parsley and chives. Green onions work, too!
Easy appetizer ideas:
- Creamy Jalapeno Stuffed Mushrooms
- Bacon Jam Scallops
- Hot Caprese Dip
- Carrabba’s Bread Dip
- Dill Pickle Egg Salad Dip
Tools for making Red Wine Cheese Spread:
Food Processor
– while I love my mini food processor, this is a job for the full size appliance.
Spatulas
– You’ll need one to get all the wonderful cream cheese dip out of the food processor!
Commonly asked questions about how to make red wine cheese spread:
Can you make it without alcohol? While most of my recipes do have a substitution for cooking alcohol, this one is characterized by the dry red wine. If you are looking for a fabulous dip using caramelized onions, check out my Caramelized Onion Dip.
Can you make red wine cheese spread ahead of time? You sure can! Make it up to one day ahead of time, keep it in the fridge and take it out when you are ready to serve.
Can you freeze red wine cheese dip? You can freeze this cream cheese spread for 3-4 months if packaged correctly for the freezer.
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Wine and Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup caramelized onions
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary , minced
- 5 ounces feta cheese , crumbled
- 2 tablespoons red wine
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 8 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese , softened
- Bread or Crackers
Instructions
- Combine caramelized onion, rosemary, feta cheese, red wine, honey and fine sea salt in a food processor. Pulse until it forms a thick paste. You might have to scrape down the sides several times.
- Add cream cheese and pulse until well blended.
- Transfer to serving bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Serve chilled with your favorite bread or crackers.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
You had me at wine…then again at cheese. This is making an appearance at my next cocktail party for sure.
This sounds really good! And, yep, pure genius to combine the two (wine & cheese) into one! pinning.
Pinning this! It looks so yummy and I can’t wait to try it. I’m like a bread addict lol
This would be a great party appetizer. Thanks for the idea!
You had me until I saw the blue cheese! I don’t like it, but I know I’m the minority in that.
You can try using goat cheese as well. I hate to admit it, but I’m not a big fan of blue cheese either and somehow this dip tastes good to me!
What an interesting idea. This would make a great spread for hosting bunco.
Oh, that looks (and sounds) so delicious! I think it would be a hit at parties!
I have been wanting to get into wine an cheese pairings and this seems like a way to do it. This sounds quite delicious!
It does sound delicious. The Focaccia is surely the perfect accompaniment.
This sounds good. I don’t do spreads to often but when I do I try to be adventurous
You had me at cheese. I love cheese any time any way. Yum!
I would love to have this set out for my husband and I when we get to do date nights at home without the kids around. Thanks for sharing.
Do you have any suggestions of cheeses to use other than blue cheese? We’re not fans of it in our house..
I would try gorgonzola or goat cheese. To be honest, I’m not a huge blue cheese fan either, but some how I really enjoyed this dip!
I especially like that you added honey and rosemary to this. It must have been one classy little spread!
The honey helps tone it down a bit. Blue cheese has such strong flavor.
G’day! Sounds great Jessica!
Thanks for sharing at the Foodie Friends Foods we loved from childhood party!
Cheers! Joanne
I am quite intrigued by the wine and cheese spread and I just may be trying that one. thanks for sharing the recipe
Oh yummy, what a seriously good idea! This looks so tasty and would be fabulous for company!
The cheese spread sounds delicious – perfect for entertaining.
This sounds like something you would find at a fancy restaurant! My hubby would love this kind of cheese spread!
Have to put this one on the list next time I have friends over.
I love the flavor combinations in this, will definitely be trying!
I am always looking for great recipes to use for entertaining. This one hits the spot in so many ways: I love cheese and wine equally. Thanks.
Personally I’d love the taste of this I think. I usually have most of these ingredients around the house too, I’d probably just have to run out and get the blue cheese to make it!
Holy cow, that sounds absolutely amazing.
This is a recipe that would be right up my Hubs alley. I also think it would be great to take to a wine and cheese tasting party.
oh yum!! I’ve had a red wine cheese spread from the store that I love… happy to have a recipe to make this at home now. I’ve pinned this.. YUM!!!
G’day! What a great entertaining recipe for my next party!
Cheers! Joanne
Thank you, Joanne, I’m sure your guests will love it!
You’ve combined a few of my favorite things. This dip looks great and it a wonderful way to combine these flavors.
Thank you, Nicky!