Port and cheese is a classic food and wine pairing. Port's comforting flavours, from sweet and fruity to deep and rich, go well with the saltiness and richness of cheese. While the traditional pairing is a glass of port with Stilton, there are many other types of cheese that can be enjoyed with port.

Characteristics of cheese that goes with port wine

Port and Stilton is a classic combination

The key to a successful pairing of port and cheese lies in the contrast and interplay of flavours. Port, with its sweet, fruity, and deep rich notes, finds its ideal match in the savoury, salty, and creamy characteristics of Stilton. The saltiness of the cheese enhances the sweetness of the port, while the creaminess prevents the alcohol from overpowering the palate. This dynamic duo engages the senses, creating a delightful and indulgent experience.

The versatility of port and Stilton pairing also shines through. Whether it's a special occasion or a cosy night in, this combination never fails to impress. It is a beloved choice during the festive season, evoking warm memories of cold winter nights spent by the fireside. However, its enjoyment need not be limited to the holidays. Port and Stilton can be savoured any time of the year, adding a touch of elegance and comfort to your cheese and wine nights.

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, port and Stilton is a must-try combination. It is a testament to the art of food and wine pairing, showcasing how two distinct elements can come together to create a harmonious and indulgent sensory journey. So, the next time you're planning a cheese and wine evening, remember to include port and Stilton on your menu—it's a classic for a reason!

Vintage Ports need a powerful cheese

Port and cheese is a classic food and wine pairing. Port offers comforting flavours, from sweet and fruity to deep and rich, and cheese is savoury, salty, and rich in flavour. The saltiness and richness of the cheese match the port's sweet and powerful flavours, making it a perfect combination to enjoy after dinner.

When choosing a cheese to go with port, it's important to consider the style of port you're drinking. A weak cheese paired with any port wine will be overpowered, and its delicate aromatics will be lost. This is particularly true of Vintage Ports, which have luscious fruit and assertive tannins. A Vintage Port will easily overpower the delicate aromatics of a brie or the creaminess of a Camembert. Instead, Vintage Ports need a powerful cheese to match their aromatic and tannic power.

Aged, hard, and spicy cheeses will offer the perfect matching power in both flavour and texture. Aged pecorino, aged Cheddar, Lincolnshire Poacher, aged Comté, and Parmigiano-Reggiano are perfect contenders. Intense, non-creamy blue cheeses, such as Stilton or matured Roquefort, will also have a great match in the deep juicy fruit and balsamic nuances of Vintage Port. The saltiness of these cheeses is key—it balances the strong tannins of the port.

Fresh olives complement Port and cheese

When it comes to Port and cheese, there are some classic combinations. Port is traditionally paired with Stilton, with the creaminess and saltiness of the cheese cutting through the sweetness and alcohol of the Port. Blue cheese in general is a good pairing with Port, with the salty, savoury flavours becoming balanced when paired with a beverage with layers of fruit and nut character.

Other good pairings include a young Extra Dry white Port with goat's cheese, or a young White Port with Brie, Camembert, Wigmore or young Crotin. A slightly aged Tawny Port (10 or 20 Years Old) pairs well with aged Cheddar, while an older Tawny (30 Years Old and above) is best enjoyed without cheese. A Ruby Port is excellent with fresh goat cheese, and a Vintage Port pairs well with aged, hard and spicy cheeses, such as aged pecorino, Lincolnshire Poacher, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Ruby Port and blue cheese is a classic pairing

The Smith Woodhouse Ruby Port, for example, has an intense flavour of red fruits with a long finish, making it perfect for pairing with a wedge of Yorkshire Blue Cheese. The blue veins of the cheese, which often indicate a strong flavour, are mellowed by the ruby port, making for a delightful after-dinner treat.

For a lighter pairing, a ruby port like the Fonseca Bin 27 Port is excellent with fresh goat cheese. The wine's intense rich fruity nose of blackberry, cassis, cherry and plum aromas interwoven with notes of spice is complemented by the saltiness of the goat cheese.

Ruby ports are not the only type of port that pairs well with blue cheese. The classic combination of a mature blue cheese like Stilton with a vintage port is another sublime match. The deep juicy fruit and balsamic nuances of the vintage port are a perfect complement to the salty, savoury character of the blue cheese.

Port and blue cheese is a pairing that can be enjoyed any time of the year, but it is especially popular during the Christmas season. Whether you choose a ruby port with a fresh goat cheese or a vintage port with a mature blue cheese, the combination of port and blue cheese is a delightful way to enhance your sensory experience.

Aged Tawny Ports go well with mature farmhouse cheddar

Port wine and cheese are a classic combination, and one that is especially popular during the festive season. Port wines are often misunderstood as overly sweet, but they can have a savoury character that pairs well with cheese. When pairing port and cheese, it's important to consider the texture and intensity of the cheese, as well as the wine's tannins, to create a perfect marriage between the two.

Aged Tawny Ports are characterised by an attractive amber colour, a smooth and silky palate, and complex, opulent flavours. These wines pair beautifully with mature farmhouse cheddar, a rich, nutty, and fruity cheese. The salty, creamy, rich, and strong flavour of cheddar is the ideal pairing for Tawny Ports because the cheese can hold its own against the strength of this flavoursome wine. The smooth texture of the port will also play up the nutty notes in the cheese.

When it comes to port and cheese pairings, it's worth noting that vintage ports, with their luscious fruit and assertive tannins, may not be the best match for softer, more delicate cheeses like brie or Camembert. Instead, these ports are better suited for aged, hard, and spicy cheeses that can stand up to the wine's powerful flavours and textures.

In addition to mature farmhouse cheddar, other cheese options that go well with Aged Tawny Ports include aged pecorino, aged Comté, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and intense, non-creamy blue cheeses like Stilton or matured Roquefort. These salty cheeses help to balance the strong tannins found in vintage ports.

To enhance the pairing of Aged Tawny Ports and mature farmhouse cheddar, consider adding some dried cranberries, prunes, walnuts, fresh grapes, quince paste, or roasted winter nuts. These complementary flavours and textures will take the tasting experience to the next level.

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