There's no better way to embrace the spirit of autumn than by hosting an aperitivo hour. Treat your friends and family to this Italian foodie tradition to celebrate the season in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
With gourmet offerings from Le Gourmet Central, you can create a luxurious and memorable aperitivo spread that will delight your guests and set the stage for a wonderful evening. Here are six of our easiest-to-share gourmet products to serve at your autumn aperitivo hour.
What is Aperitivo Hour?
Aperitivo hour is a beloved Italian tradition, typically between 6 and 8 p.m., where people gather to enjoy light snacks and drinks before dinner. It's all about socializing and indulging in small, unfussy bites like meats, cheese, and bruschetta to whet the appetite before the main meal. Many serve rich and intense options because the idea is to eat slowly. With small bites that are so full of flavor, you won’t feel the need to rush or get too full to enjoy the main course.
Serving wine and cocktails is a mandatory part of the tradition. No worries if you don’t drink! There are plenty of delicious non-alcoholic options available to cheer with.
La Curiosa Cod Pâté with Raisins and Onion
The La Curiosa Cod Pâté with Raisins and Onion is a delectable spread that perfectly combines the savory and sweet for a unique and flavorful appetizer.
Made from premium cod caught in the sea above Galicia, this smooth pâté is delicately balanced with the sweetness of raisins and the mild tang of onions. Inspired by the classic Galician empanada, it pairs beautifully with toasted baguette slices or crispy crackers.
For a light start to your aperitivo hour, pair it with buttery crackers, olives, and roasted nuts for a versatile spread. Perfectly suited for fall, this pâté captures the season’s comforting, warm flavors.
L'Epicurien Carrot Cream with Spices
The right sauce is the key to any spread. For a sweet and spicy twist try adding the L’Epicurien Carrot Cream with Spice to your aperitivo night.
This creamy spread is made from high-quality carrots blended with a mix of warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a flavorful dip or topping that pairs beautifully with fresh bread, crispy crackers, or even grilled vegetables. Spread this sauce on finger sandwiches and wraps that guests can munch on in between sips of a floral white wine, like aSauvignon Blanc.
Its vibrant orange hue adds a splash of autumn color to your spread, and its sweet, earthy taste with a hint of spice brings a bit of Thanksgiving charm to your Italian get-together.
La Curiosa Mussels Pâté
Seafood lovers won’t be able to resist the fresh, briny flavors of La Curiosa Mussels Pâte.
Made with premium mussels, this smooth pâté has a rich, velvety texture and a deep, savory flavor that evokes the essence of the ocean. The subtle brininess of the mussels is balanced by a delicate blend of extra virgin oil, white wine, onions, tomatoes, and spices.
Spread this Galician delicacy over crispy toast or crostini. It pairs particularly well with crisp white wine or champagne, so pop that cork and get the conversation flowing.
Agromar Sea Urchin Caviar
Bring a taste of the wild Spanish sea air to your table with a tin of Agromar Sea Urchin Caviar. This gourmet delicacy features the prized roe of sea urchins carefully collected from cliffs along the Cantabrian coast.
Sea urchin caviar has a creamy texture and an intense, briny flavor that is perfect for spreading on crackers or blinis. Its vibrant orange color also adds a visual pop to your table. Its bold, umami flavor pairs beautifully with crisp champagne or dry white wine.
Caviar is a show-stopping product, you don’t need to serve much else for a luxurious aperitivo hour.
Torta de Casar Spanish Cheese DOP
No aperitivo spread is complete without a standout cheese and the Torta de Casar Spanish Cheese DOP is a strong indulgent option.
This artisanal cheese, hailing from the Extremadura region of Spain, is made from raw sheep’s milk and has a rich, creamy interior that oozes when cut. Its intense, slightly tangy flavor and buttery texture make it a luxurious centerpiece for your cheese board.
The Torta de Casar pairs beautifully with crusty bread, cured meats, and a drizzle of honey and figs. Its bold, creamy taste is great on its own or as part of a larger charcuterie board.
To serve it with something a little unexpected, try pairing Torta de Casar with a dry Sherry like an Amontillado. Its nutty and herby aromatics balance the cheese's intense taste.
Rougie Perigord Duck Rillette
Serve up a French delicacy with Rougie Perigord Duck Rillette. From the passionate team of Quebecois duck farmers at Rougié, this rich and flavorful spread is made from tender, slow-cooked duck meat.
This Rillette is seasoned to perfection, creating a smooth, savory spread that melts in your mouth. Spread it cold on a toasted slice of crusty bread or crackers.
The duck rillette’s deep, rich taste pairs wonderfully with pickles, chutneys, or a good mustard. It’s a perfect option for those looking to offer something hearty and satisfying.
Pair a duck Rillette with a young Pinot Noir or any other dry red wine. Something slightly fruity will also bring out the subtle duck flavor.
Explore these products and more at Le Gourmet Central .
Browse our entire collection of gourmet spreads to create your perfect fall aperitivo spread today
At Le Gourmet Central, you can find all types of unique gourmet food including gourmet honey such as truffle honey, lavender honey, or desserts such as assorted cookies, gourmet chocolate and so much more.
To find the best gourmet foods and gift baskets online, begin your search at legourmetcentral.com.