Tasty Cheeses To Pair With Tawny Port

Port and cheese is a classic combination, and one that is often enjoyed at Christmas. Port's comforting flavours range from sweet and fruity to deep and rich, and its sweetness means it is often considered a dessert wine. However, it can also be enjoyed as an aperitif. When it comes to pairing port with cheese, it's important to consider the style of port being consumed. Tawny port, for example, is known for its nutty, caramelised character and pairs well with hard cheeses like cheddar, as well as blue cheeses such as stilton and gorgonzola.

Cheddar and Tawny Port

Port and cheese is a classic combination, and Cheddar and Tawny Port is a pairing that will elevate your cheese board to the next level.

Tawny Ports are complex and concentrated, with a nutty, caramelised character and flavours of buttered toffee, smoky vanilla, blackberry, ripe cherry, and crème brûlée. Aged in oak for a minimum of seven years, they have rich, smooth lines that support the yummy oxidised flavour profiles of age-designated bottles.

When it comes to Cheddar, a strong, salty, vintage Cheddar is the ideal pairing for a Tawny Port. Cheddar is a powerful cheese that can hold its own against the strength of this flavoursome wine. The saltiness of the Cheddar will balance the strong tannins of the Port, creating a sublime combination.

To elevate this pairing, consider adding some dried cranberries, prunes, and walnuts. The addition of these ingredients will create a contrast of textures and flavours that will enhance your tasting experience. Fresh green olives are another great option to add a hearty saltiness that pairs well with Tawny Port.

So, the next time you're looking to indulge in a special cheese and wine night, remember that Cheddar and Tawny Port is a match made in heaven.

Blue Cheese and Tawny Port

Tawny Port is a type of Port wine that is complex and concentrated, with a nutty, caramelised character and flavours of buttered toffee, smoky vanilla, blackberry, ripe cherry, and crème brûlée. The wine also has notes of dried orange, sweet figs, and mocha, with some age-designated bottles carrying aromas of spiced candied pecans or sticky toffee pudding. Tawny Ports are aged in oak barrels for a minimum of seven years, resulting in rich, smooth lines that support the yummy oxidised flavour profiles of age-designated bottles.

Blue cheese, on the other hand, is a type of cheese that is known for its strong, pungent flavour and distinctive aroma. It is made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk that has been treated with the mould Penicillium, which gives it its characteristic blue veins. Blue cheese can be creamy or crumbly in texture, with a sharp, salty, or tangy taste.

When it comes to pairing Blue Cheese and Tawny Port, the combination may seem unconventional, but it offers a surprisingly harmonious blend of sweet and savoury notes. The saltiness and tanginess of the blue cheese beautifully balance the sweetness and nutty flavours of the Tawny Port. The bold, intense flavours of blue cheese, such as Stilton, Shropshire, or Roquefort, stand up to the richness and complexity of the Tawny Port.

To enhance the pairing, consider serving the blue cheese at room temperature to allow its full flavour to emerge. As for the Tawny Port, it is best served slightly chilled, around 55-60°F (13-16°C). This temperature range will ensure that the wine is cool to the touch and will bring out its best attributes.

Additionally, you can elevate the pairing by incorporating complementary flavours. For example, serving the blue cheese with dried cranberries, walnuts, or fresh grapes can add a delightful contrast to the combination. The sweetness of the fruit and the crunch of the nuts will create a textural and flavourful dimension to the pairing.

In conclusion, the pairing of Blue Cheese and Tawny Port is a classic combination that has endured for centuries. By embracing the contrasting flavours and textures of these two distinct foods, you will discover a delightful sensory experience that showcases the best of both worlds. So, the next time you're looking for an indulgent treat, consider reaching for a bottle of Tawny Port and a wedge of Blue Cheese to create a memorable and satisfying culinary journey.

Gouda and Tawny Port

Port and cheese is a classic combination, and one that is particularly popular at Christmas. Port offers a range of comforting flavours, from sweet and fruity to deep and rich, and cheese's savouriness, saltiness, and rich flavour can complement these notes perfectly.

When it comes to tawny port, a variety of cheeses can be paired with it. For example, salty, creamy, rich and strong cheddars are a good match for tawny port because their power means they can hold their own against the strength of this flavoursome wine. Blue cheese is another option, as its strong and rich flavour, and smooth texture will play up the nutty notes of the port.

Gouda, in particular, is a good match for tawny port. According to Taylor's, a 10-year-old tawny port goes well with gouda. Aged tawnies, such as Taylor's 20-year-old tawny, are characterised by an attractive amber colour, a smooth and silky palate, and sublimely complex and opulent flavours. These pair beautifully with the rich, nutty and fruity character of a mature farmhouse cheddar cheese. A younger tawny, such as Taylor's 10-year-old, will have a similar, though less intense, flavour profile. Gouda, which has a rich, nutty, and fruity flavour, will therefore also be a good match for this port.

In general, when pairing cheese with port, it is important to consider the style of port you are drinking. A weak cheese will be overpowered by any port, so a strong, vintage cheese is a good option to go for.

Sheep's Cheese and Tawny Port

Port and cheese is a classic combination, and for good reason. The sweet, fruity, deep, and rich flavours of port complement the saltiness and richness of cheese. Port and cheese is a pairing that can be enjoyed any time of year but is especially popular at Christmas.

When pairing cheese with port, it's important to consider the style of port you're drinking. Tawny ports, for example, are aged for a minimum of seven years in oak barrels, developing a nutty, caramelised character with notes of buttered toffee, smoky vanilla, blackberry, ripe cherry, and crème brûlée. Older tawny ports may also have flavours of dried orange, sweet fig, and mocha.

Sheep's milk cheeses are an excellent pairing for tawny port. The rich, creamy texture of sheep's cheese matches the smooth, silky texture of tawny port, while the saltiness of the cheese will balance the sweetness of the wine.

One of Portugal's finest sheep's cheeses is the Queijo Serra, a rich, creamy cheese made with sheep's milk, the coagulating properties of the spiky purple Cardoon flower, and sea salt. This cheese is highly prized by cheese connoisseurs and is a perfect match for tawny port.

Other sheep's milk cheeses that pair well with tawny port include Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, and P'tit Basque. These cheeses will play up the nutty notes in the tawny port.

To enhance the experience, consider adding some fresh olives to the pairing. The hearty saltiness of green olives pairs nicely with the sweetness of tawny port.

Hard Cheeses and Tawny Port

Port and cheese is a classic combination, and for good reason. The sweet, fruity, deep, and rich flavours of port complement the saltiness and richness of cheese. However, it's important to choose the right cheese to pair with port to avoid one flavour profile overpowering the other.

When it comes to hard cheeses and tawny port, a strong, salty, and creamy vintage cheddar is an ideal match. The strength and complexity of flavour in a vintage cheddar can stand up to the flavoursome profile of tawny port. The saltiness of the cheese also helps to balance the sweetness of the port.

Blue cheese is another excellent option for pairing with tawny port. The strong, rich flavour of blue cheese, along with its smooth texture, will complement the nutty notes in the port. Intense, non-creamy blue cheeses such as Stilton, Roquefort, Cashel Blue, Bleu d'Auvergne, or Gorgonzola are particularly good choices. The saltiness of these cheeses will also help to balance the tannins in the port.

For those who enjoy a more mature cheese, an aged gouda with butterscotch notes, such as Beemster XO or L'Amuse, can make a majestic pairing with an older tawny port. The floral notes in the tawny port will complement the younger, fresher profile of a goat gouda.

When serving hard cheeses with tawny port, consider adding some fresh olives, particularly green olives, to enhance the flavour profile. The saltiness of the olives pairs well with the sweetness of the port. Dried fruits, nuts, and quince paste are also excellent accompaniments to this pairing, offering a range of textures and flavours that will enhance the drinking and dining experience.

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