Sip on this! Best New Year’s bubbly

Table two: Cheese Bar
It’s a snap to make a cheese bar starting with fresh cheese and transitioning to aged cheeses. I’ve paired these all with C white wines: Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

First dish: Shakalakah and cream cheese
When I was in South Africa recently I came across a dish I loved at Fairview Winery. Make a simple American-style version of Shakalakah by blending herbs and spices such as cumin, curry powder, paprika, thyme, and pepper, then form cream cheese into a log, and roll it in the Shakalakah mixture. Serve with crackers or bread.

Wine pairing suggestions:

• 2008 Indaba Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa $10
• 2008 Boschendal Chenin Blanc, South Africa $12

Reason: These zesty Chenin Blancs from South Africa make an ideal match for fresh cheeses. As the country’s signature white wine, Chenin Blanc is refreshing and affordable.

Second dish: Brie or other creamy cheeses show well with dried fruits and nuts such as apricots and almonds. Many head straight for reds with cheese, but with creamy cheeses like the ever-popular brie, pick Chardonnay instead. I’ve chosen two styles here — the unoaked and the big and bold — both great with semi-soft cheeses.

Wine pairing suggestions:

• 2008 Villa Maria, Private Bin Unoaked Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, $16
• 2008 Gallo Family Vineyards ,Chardonnay, California, (magnum 1.5 ltr) $8

Reason: Chardonnay is an ideal cheese wine because it matches the texture of creamy cheeses.

Table three: Burger Bar
For the meat lovers in the crowd, make a mass of mini-burgers and set out various toppings to create a build-your-own burger bar. Pair them with M wines — Malbec and Merlot.

Wine pairing suggestions: Malbec from Argentina

• 2007 FFC Presents Encyclopedia, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina $10
• 2007 Bodega Septima, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $12

Wine pairing suggestions: Merlot from Washington State

• 2007 Washington Hills, Merlot, Washington, $8
• 2007 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington, $12

More in Food and Wine 20 Secrets your waiter will never tell you Sauvignon blanc: A perfect wine for all meals Follow TODAY's Kitchen on Twitter

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