The Perfect Pair: Port Wine And Cheese Combinations

Port wine and cheese is a classic food and wine pairing. The sweetness and alcohol of port wine are cut through by the saltiness and creaminess of cheese, creating an enjoyable combination of flavours and textures. Port wine is often misunderstood as overly sweet, but when properly paired with cheese, its savoury character can be emphasised. While port and blue cheese is a traditional pairing, there are many other cheeses that go well with port, and it is worth experimenting with different combinations to find your favourite.

Port and cheese is a classic combination

When it comes to choosing the right cheeses for the perfect port pairings, it's important to consider the style of port you're drinking. For example, a weak cheese paired with any port wine will result in a loss of flavour. The goal of cheese and wine pairings is to enhance the flavours in both the wine and the cheese. Therefore, choosing the right cheese will determine your overall experience.

One classic pairing is a mature blue cheese, such as Stilton, with a vintage port. The saltiness of the cheese balances the strong tannins of the port, creating a perfect counterpoint. Other intense, non-creamy blue cheeses, such as Roquefort or Stilton, also pair well with the deep, juicy fruit and balsamic nuances of vintage port.

For Tawny Ports, a salty, creamy, rich and strong cheddar is an ideal pairing. The strength of this flavoursome wine needs a powerful cheese that can hold its own. Blue cheese is also a good option, as its strong and rich flavour, along with its smooth texture, will play up the nutty notes of the port.

Ruby Ports, known for their intense fruity flavours, pair well with blue cheese, such as Yorkshire Blue Cheese or Smith Woodhouse Ruby Port. The fruitiness of the port complements the strong, veiny nature of the blue cheese.

White Ports, with their nutty, intense orchard fruit and lingering honey and spice notes, are perfect companions for softer, creamier cheeses. A young Extra Dry White Port pairs well with goat's cheese, as the wine's acidity and fruity profile match the delicate profile of the cheese. Brie, Camembert, and young Crotin are also good matches for a young White Port.

In conclusion, port and cheese is a timeless duo that can elevate any occasion. By embracing complexity and exploring different ports and cheeses, you can discover fascinating flavour notes and create harmonious pairings that bring out the best in both.

The best pairings depend on the type of port

Port wine and cheese are a classic combination, but the type of port you choose will make a big difference to your cheese selection. Port wines offer comforting flavours, from sweet and fruity to deep and rich, and cheese's savouriness, saltiness and richness match these sweet and powerful flavours.

White Port

White ports have a luscious combination of nuttiness, intense orchard fruit (both fresh and dried) and a long finish with lingering honey and spice. These pair well with softer, creamier cheeses. A young Extra Dry white port is a good match for goat's cheeses, as the wine's acidity and fruity profile will complement the cheese's delicate profile. Brie, Camembert, Wigmore or young Crotin are also good matches for young white ports, while more intense cheeses like St Jude, Reblochon or St Marcellin are best with a White Colheita.

Ruby Port

Ruby ports are intense and rich, with fruity notes of blackberry, cassis, cherry and plum, and spice. Fresh goat's cheese is a good pairing with ruby port, as it takes on a sour cherry pie flavour. It's also excellent with Portuguese thistle rennet cheese Zimbro—the lemon notes in the cheese bring out the florality of the wine. Other good pairings include Pont-l'Évêque, Tallegio, and Camembert.

Tawny Port

Tawny ports have a wide array of profiles depending on how long they've been aged. Younger tawnies are fruity, while older tawnies are less fruity, with more intense caramel and nutty flavours. Younger tawnies (10 and 20-year-old) pair well with cheeses that have a nutty, slightly sweet finish, like 18-month Gruyere. The more concentrated older tawnies (30-year-old and above) are best saved for dessert or a cigar, rather than cheese.

Vintage Port

Vintage ports are aromatic and tannic, so they need a powerful cheese to match. Aged, hard and spicy cheeses are a good choice. Aged pecorino, aged Cheddar, Lincolnshire Poacher, aged Comté, and Parmigiano-Reggiano are all good options. Salty cheeses are also a good counterpoint to the tannins of younger vintage ports.

Port and cheese is a Christmas tradition

Port and cheese is a classic combination that is especially popular during the festive season. In the lead up to Christmas, sales of port surge as people indulge in the finer things in life. The tradition of enjoying port with cheese is a special moment during an evening, when things become more relaxed and conversations flow. It is often enjoyed after a Christmas dinner, when celebrations have died down and guests are looking for a bite to eat alongside a perfect glass of port wine.

The key to a successful pairing lies in choosing the right cheese to complement the style of port being served. A weak cheese paired with any port wine will result in a loss of flavour, while a powerful cheese can hold its own against a strong wine. For example, a vintage port with its aromatic and tannic power calls for an aged, hard and spicy cheese that can match its intensity. On the other hand, a young Extra Dry port goes well with goat's cheeses, as the wine's acidity and fruity profile will match the delicate profile of the cheese.

Port and cheese pairings can also be used to enhance the savoury character of both the food and the drink. Port wines are often misunderstood as overly sweet, but when paired with the right cheese, their savory notes can become more pronounced. This makes port accessible to those who do not typically enjoy sweet wines.

Ultimately, while there are many guidelines and suggestions for the best port and cheese pairings, the most important rule is to drink your favourite port, surrounded by your favourite people.

Port and cheese can be enjoyed all year round

Port and cheese is a classic food and wine pairing. Although it is a comforting Christmas tradition, it can be enjoyed all year round. Port and cheese signify a special moment during an evening of cheese, when things become more relaxed and conversations are flowing.

Port offers many comforting flavours, from sweet and fruity to deep and rich. Cheese is savoury, and its saltiness and rich flavour will match the port's sweet and powerful flavours perfectly.

When choosing which cheese to go with your wine, you must consider that your choice of cheese has a lot to do with the style of port you’re drinking. For example, a weak cheese paired with any port wine will result in a loss of flavour. With cheese and wine pairings, your main goal is to accentuate the flavours in both the wine and the cheese. So, choosing the right cheese will determine your cheese and wine experience.

White Port

A young Extra Dry white port pairs well with goat's cheeses, which tend to have more acidity and a fresher, sometimes citric, finish. The wine's acidity and fruity profile will match the delicate profile of the cheese. Brie, Camembert, Wigmore or young Crotin will also have a good match in a young White Port. More intense counterparts – such as St Jude, Reblochon or St Marcellin – will be best alongside a White Colheita.

Ruby Port

Ruby ports are intense and rich in fruity flavours. When paired with fresh goat cheese, ruby port takes on a sour cherry pie flavour. It’s also excellent with the classic Portuguese thistle rennet cheese Zimbro—the lemon notes in the cheese bring out the florality of the wine.

Tawny Port

Aged tawnies are characterised by an attractive amber colour, a smooth 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 10-year-old Tawny will also go well with an 18-month-old Gruyere.

Aged Tawny Port

Aged tawnies, such as a 30-year-old, are too concentrated to be paired with cheese. They are best enjoyed with a dessert or a cigar.

Aged Bottles

Not all aged wines are great with aged cheeses, but a crystalline, butterscotchy aged gouda like Beemster XO or L’Amuse makes a majestic pairing with an older tawny. The dusky floral component of the tawny would also play nicely with something like a young goat gouda.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

A late bottled vintage port is an elegant and fruity wine with hints of black liquorice. It makes an excellent match for a goat’s milk cheese.

First Estate Reserve Port

The full body and youthful fruitiness of a First Estate Port marry superbly with the full flavour and rich creaminess of cheeses such as a ripe Pont l’Evêque, Brie, Tallegio and Camembert.

Port and cheese is a relaxing, social experience

When choosing which cheese to pair with port, it's important to consider the style of port you're drinking. A weak cheese paired with any port wine will result in a loss of flavour. The goal of cheese and wine pairings is to enhance the flavours of both the wine and the cheese, so choosing the right cheese will determine your overall experience.

For example, a vintage port needs a powerful cheese that can hold its own against the strength of this flavoursome wine. A salty, creamy, rich and strong cheddar is the ideal pairing for a Tawny Port. Blue cheese is also a good option, as it is strong and rich in flavour, and the smooth texture of the port will play up its nutty notes. Any strong and vintage cheese goes well with any port.

If you're looking for a more adventurous pairing, try a ruby port with a classic Portuguese thistle rennet cheese like Zimbro. The lemon notes in the cheese will bring out the florality of the wine. Or, for a truly sublime pairing, try a white port with an 8-10 month Comté. The flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk in the cheese become even more delicate and dessert-like when paired with a white port.

So, the next time you're looking to relax and socialise with a glass of port and some cheese, keep in mind the different styles of port and their ideal cheese pairings. Experiment with different combinations and find your perfect match.

Frequently asked questions