Kamil Perry
When it comes to wine and cheese, a classic pairing is port with Stilton. This salty, pungent cheese is a favourite on cheese boards and is often served as a dessert cheese, making it a great match for the sweetness of port. But what about blueberry Stilton? Blueberry Stilton is a variety of the classic British blue-veined cheese, which is characterised by its salty, earthy flavour. The addition of blueberries may call for a different wine pairing. While port may still work, other options could bring out the flavour of the blueberries. A sweet wine is often recommended for blue cheese, so a dessert wine or a rich, off-dry sherry could be a good match. A barley wine or a whisky might also complement the sweetness of the blueberries and the saltiness of the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Blue cheese |
| Flavour | Salty, earthy |
| Texture | Creamy |
| Wine pairing | Port, sweet wine, barley wine, oloroso sherry, stout, elderberry wine, damson gin, tawny port |
| Other pairings | Fruit (apples, pears, walnuts), crackers, honey, digestive biscuits, gingerbread, chocolate-covered blueberries/pomegranates |
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What You'll Learn
Port wine
When pairing port with Stilton, it is essential to consider the different styles of port. Red Ports, also known as Ruby Ports, are the most common type of port wine and are known for their robust flavours and deep red colour. They are aged in wooden barrels, which helps develop their distinctive taste. However, with Stilton, a softer, creamier Tawny Port is often recommended. Tawny Ports are aged in oak barrels for longer, resulting in a smoother, more mellow flavour that beautifully complements the salty, savoury notes of the cheese.
The classic way to serve this combination is with fruit, such as pears, and nuts, particularly walnuts. The sweetness of the fruit and the crispness of the nuts further enhance the pairing, creating a delightful contrast of flavours and textures. This combination makes for an elegant and indulgent dessert or appetizer, offering a harmonious interplay of sweet and salty, soft and crisp.
When choosing a port wine to pair with Blueberry Stilton, consider the intensity of the cheese's flavour. Blueberry Stilton is likely to have a more pronounced sweetness and fruitiness from the blueberries, so a slightly drier style of port may be preferable to balance the overall profile. An aged Tawny Port, for example, could provide a nutty, oaky flavour profile that would complement the blueberry notes without overwhelming them. Additionally, consider serving the cheese at room temperature to allow the full range of flavours to emerge.
In conclusion, port wine is an excellent choice to pair with Blueberry Stilton cheese. The sweetness of the port balances the salty, pungent, and earthy flavours of the cheese, while the fruit and nut accompaniments further enhance the experience. By considering the style of port and the intensity of the cheese, you can create a delightful and harmonious pairing that showcases the best of both the wine and the cheese.
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Sweet wines
A nutty Oloroso sherry can also be paired with Stilton, especially an old, oxidative sherry, as the richness of the cheese balances the dryness of the wine. Other sweet wines that can be paired with Stilton include barley wine, damson gin, and elderberry wine.
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Oloroso sherry
When it comes to wine, a nutty Oloroso sherry is a great choice to pair with Blueberry Stilton cheese. Oloroso sherry is a fortified wine known for its richness, depth, and complexity, with a unique production process that involves oxidative ageing, giving it a deep amber colour and robust flavours. Its full-bodied nature and complex, smooth flavours make it a fantastic match for strong, sharp, tangy, and savoury cheeses like Stilton.
When it comes to cheese, the stronger and sharper the cheese, the better it will pair with the browner shades of sherry, like Oloroso. The tanginess and sharpness of blue cheeses, such as Stilton, create a beautiful contrast with the smoothness and complexity of Oloroso. The saltiness and sourness of these cheeses can also provide a nice counterpoint to the sweetness of the sherry.
Some renowned brands of Oloroso sherry include "Apóstoles" by González Byass, known for its extraordinary depth of flavour and complexity, and "Lustau Oloroso Reserva", which offers complex aromas of roasted nuts, figs, and spices. These sherries can elevate the experience of enjoying a rich and indulgent cheese like Blueberry Stilton.
For a truly magical pairing, consider the contrast and complement of flavours and aromas between the cheese and the wine. Oloroso sherry, with its nutty and savoury notes, can provide a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the blueberries in the Stilton, while also enhancing the cheese's savoury and tangy notes. This combination can create a sensory experience greater than the sum of its parts, making it a memorable indulgence for both wine and cheese enthusiasts.
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Damson gin
- Rinse and pick over the damsons to remove any leaves and stalks, then pat dry.
- Place the damsons in a freezer bag and freeze overnight.
- The next day, bash the bag of damsons with a rolling pin and then transfer them to a 2-litre jar or divide them between smaller jars.
- Pour in the sugar and gin, seal the jar, and shake well.
- Shake the jar daily for a week, until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 2-3 months.
- Line a plastic sieve with muslin or a coffee filter and strain the damson gin.
- Decant the gin into clean, dry bottles, seal, and label.
The damson gin will be ready to drink at this point, but it will continue to improve and mature over time. You can expect it to keep for over a year. In terms of other drinks to pair with blueberry stilton, sweet wines like port are a good contrast to the savoury blue veins in the cheese. Full-bodied reds can also work well, as can barley wine and Islay whiskey. When it comes to wine, a nutty Oloroso sherry is recommended by food and wine writer Francis Percival. However, it is best to avoid big reds.
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Red wine
When it comes to red wine, there are a few options that can complement the flavours of blueberry stilton cheese. While some sources suggest avoiding big reds, full-bodied reds can work well with stilton cheese.
A classic pairing for stilton is a red port, such as a Ruby port that is not too tannic and has a bit of age. Alternatively, a softer, creamier Tawny Port can also be a good option. Port styles differ depending on whether they are aged in oak barrels until they become fully oxidised and mellow (Tawny) or aged in bottles, retaining tannins and resembling red wine (Ruby).
In addition to port, other types of red wine can also complement blueberry stilton. A Cabernet Sauvignon, for instance, can be a good choice. When considering red wines, it is worth noting that sweet or fortified wines are generally considered a good pairing for blue cheese, except when the cheese is used for cooking. In that case, the tannins in red wine may clash with the acidity of the cheese, resulting in a bitter, metallic flavour.
For those who enjoy experimenting with different flavours, a fortified wine aged in an oxidative fashion, such as a Sherry, can be worth trying. A traditional Rutherglen Australian Muscat, made from a blend of younger and older aged wines to achieve an average age of 12 years, can add an aromatic, almost raisiny, orange peel character that allows the delicate flavours of the cheese to shine through.
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Frequently asked questions
The classic pairing for blueberry Stilton cheese is a Port, preferably a softer, creamier Tawny Port.
The sweetness in Port wine balances the salty, pungent flavours of blueberry Stilton cheese.
Yes, any sweet wine will work well with blueberry Stilton cheese. A rich, off-dry sherry is also a good pairing, as well as barley wine and Islay whiskey.
Yes, blueberry Stilton cheese pairs well with sweet flavours like honey, dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, pears) and nuts (especially walnuts). It also goes well with red meat, earthy vegetables and fall fruits like apples.
