Frederic Melton
Port and cheese is a classic pairing, with the sweet wine and salty cheese creating a delicious contrast. Blue cheese is a popular choice, with the salty, savoury flavour of the cheese balanced by the fruity notes of the port. Vintage port is often paired with mature blue cheese, such as Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola. However, there are many other cheeses that can be enjoyed with port, including creamy cheeses like Cambozola black, nutty sheep's milk cheeses like Manchego, and fresh goat's cheese, which can give ruby port a sour cherry pie flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Blue cheese, especially Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Cambozola black, Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, P’tit Basque, Beemster XO, L’Amuse, Comté, Grey Barn’s Prufrock, fresh goat cheese, Zimbro |
| Port type | Vintage, Tawny, Ruby, White |
| Flavour notes | Salty, savoury, nutty, sour cherry, lemon, florality, mellow fruit, honey, oak, toasted hazelnuts, steamed milk, toasted sesame oil, blackberry, cassis, cherry, plum, spice |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese, such as Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola, is a classic pairing with vintage port
- Sheep's milk cheese, like Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, or P’tit Basque, will play up the nutty notes of port
- Fresh goat cheese and ruby port is a stunning combination, creating a sour cherry pie flavour
- Comté, with its flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk, is a good match for white port
- A balanced washed rind, like Grey Barn’s Prufrock, develops notes of toasted sesame oil when paired with port
Blue cheese, such as Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola, is a classic pairing with vintage port
While blue cheese is a popular choice, there are many other cheeses that can be paired with port. For example, a creamy blue cheese like Cambozola black will match the texture of the port. To play up the nutty notes, try a sheep's milk cheese like Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, or P'tit Basque.
If you're looking for a more unusual pairing, try a fresh goat cheese with ruby port. The lemon notes in the cheese will bring out the florality of the wine, resulting in a stunning sour cherry pie flavour. Another option is the classic Portuguese thistle rennet cheese Zimbro.
For a white port pairing, an 8-10 month Comté will bring out flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk. A balanced washed rind like Grey Barn's Prufrock will develop notes of toasted sesame oil.
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Sheep's milk cheese, like Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, or P’tit Basque, will play up the nutty notes of port
Port is a versatile drink that pairs well with a variety of cheeses. While blue cheese is a classic pairing, port also goes well with other types of cheese, such as sheep's milk cheese.
Sheep's milk cheese, like Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, or P'tit Basque, will play up the nutty notes of port. These cheeses have a smooth, creamy texture that matches the texture of the port, creating a harmonious pairing. The flavours of the port, such as orange peel, black fig, date and rose, are enhanced by the sheep's milk cheese, creating a complex and elegant tasting experience.
In addition to sheep's milk cheese, port also pairs well with fresh goat cheese, especially when paired with ruby port. The combination of the two creates a stunning sour cherry pie flavour. For those who enjoy a more savoury option, the classic Portuguese thistle rennet cheese, Zimbro, is an excellent choice. The lemon notes in the cheese bring out the florality of the port, resulting in a delicate and refined pairing.
When it comes to aged wines, a crystalline, butterscotchy aged gouda like Beemster XO or L'Amuse is a majestic pairing with an older tawny port. The flavours of the cheese and port come together to create a rich, indulgent experience. For a lighter option, an 8-10 month Comté paired with a glass of white port is a delightful choice. The flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk in the cheese are enhanced by the port, resulting in a delicate and dessert-like experience.
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Fresh goat cheese and ruby port is a stunning combination, creating a sour cherry pie flavour
When creating a cheese board to pair with ruby port, consider including other cheeses that will complement the flavours of the port. An 8-10 month Comté, for example, has flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk that become even more delicate and dessert-like when paired with a glass of white port. A balanced washed rind cheese, like Grey Barn’s Prufrock, can also develop notes of toasted sesame oil when paired with port, adding a unique savoury element to your cheese board.
If you're looking for a more classic pairing, vintage port is traditionally paired with mature blue cheese, especially Stilton. The contrast between the sweet wine and the salty cheese, as well as the similarity of their textures, creates a balanced and elegant combination. Other blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola will also match a vintage port very well.
For those who enjoy the nutty notes in port, try pairing it with a sheep’s milk cheese like Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, or P’tit Basque. These cheeses will play up the nutty flavours in the port, creating a harmonious and complex pairing.
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Comté, with its flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk, is a good match for white port
When it comes to port and cheese pairings, blue cheese is a classic choice. The salty, savoury notes of a blue cheese like Stilton or Roquefort are balanced by the sweetness of the port, creating a delightful contrast. Other blue cheeses that pair well with port include Gorgonzola and Cambozola black. These creamy cheeses have a smooth texture that matches the texture of the port.
If you're looking for something a little different, try pairing port with a sheep's milk cheese. Options like Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, or P'tit Basque will highlight the nutty notes in the port. For a truly unique experience, opt for a fresh goat cheese with ruby port. The lemon notes in the cheese will bring out the florality of the wine, resulting in a stunning sour cherry pie flavour.
While port is often associated with blue cheese, it can also bring out complexity and fascinating flavour notes in other cheeses. Don't be afraid to experiment and discover new pairings that delight your palate.
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A balanced washed rind, like Grey Barn’s Prufrock, develops notes of toasted sesame oil when paired with port
Port is a classic pairing with mature blue cheese, especially Stilton. The salty cheese and sweet wine have a similar texture, and the pairing brings out the strength of their aromas. Other blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Cambozola black also match well with port.
However, port is not just a good match for blue cheese. A balanced washed rind, like Grey Barns Prufrock, develops notes of toasted sesame oil when paired with port. Fresh goat cheese and ruby port is another stunning combination, with the cheese bringing out the wine's florality to create a sour cherry pie flavour.
If you want to play up the nutty notes in your port, try a sheep's milk cheese like Manchego, Bellwether Farms San Andreas, or P'tit Basque. An 8-10 month Comté, with its flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk, becomes even more dessert-like when paired with a glass of white port.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is a classic pairing with port, especially mature blue cheese like Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola.
Vintage port is best served with mature blue cheese, especially Stilton.
Ruby port is excellent with fresh goat cheese, which gives it a sour cherry pie flavour. It also goes well with Portuguese thistle rennet cheese Zimbro, which brings out the florality of the wine.
White port is a good match for an 8-10 month Comté, which has flavours of lightly toasted hazelnuts and steamed milk.
Tawny port is a majestic pairing with an aged gouda like Beemster XO or L’Amuse.
