Frederic Melton
Blue cheeses are notoriously difficult to match with wine, but one classic pairing is Stilton and Port. The sweetness of the Port contrasts with the savoury, salty, earthy and mushroomy flavours of the cheese. A younger Port or a Ruby Port is recommended over a Tawny Port, although a sweet dark Oloroso sherry is another good option. Other sweet wines that pair well with Stilton include Sauternes, Gewürztraminer, and Muscat. For something more unusual, a dry Sicilian Marsala or a well-aged Extra Añejo Tequila are recommended.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine Type | Port, Sauterne, Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Oloroso sherry, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon-Semillon blends, Whisky, Tequila |
| Flavour | Sweet, nutty, caramel, dry, fruity, tannic |
| Wine Age | Younger port wines, aged Sauternes |
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What You'll Learn
Port wines
For a port with a difference, try a vintage port from the highly-rated 1994 or 2011 vintage. Or, for something similar to port but with a slightly bitter edge, try a damson gin.
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Dry red wines
While Port is a classic pairing with Stilton, there are some dry red wines that can also work well with this intense and very flavoursome cheese.
A full-bodied, robust red wine such as a Shiraz is a firm favourite. Colston Basset Stilton also pairs well with dry red wines with a fruit-forward character and a pronounced tannic backbone. Wines such as Col Solare or Upchurch Vineyards from Red Mountain in eastern Washington are good choices. A Touriga-based wine from Portugal’s Douro Valley or a Nero d’Avola wine from southeastern Sicily would also work well.
If you're looking for a wine that can be drunk with other courses in a meal, oaked Chardonnays or oaked Sauvignon Blancs and Sauvignon-Semillon blends are a good bet. The melon-tropical-citrus flavours of Chardonnay harmonize with the blue vein in the Stilton, while the oak brings out the creamy, nutty background.
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Sweet wines
When it comes to sweet wines, there are several options that are commonly paired with Stilton cheese. One of the most classic combinations is Port, with younger Port wines often being preferred. Tawny Port, made by ageing in oak until it becomes fully oxidised and mellow, is a popular choice. Ruby Port, aged in bottles with a certain amount of tannins, also pairs well with Stilton, especially if it's not too tannic and has a little age. Examples include Sandeman's Founder Reserve and Ramos Pinto Fine Ruby Port.
Sweet dessert or pudding wines are another option for a sweet wine and Stilton pairing. Sauternes, such as an aged Sauternes or a Canadian ice wine, are recommended. Sweet dark Oloroso Sherry, made in an oxidative style, is another option, with its dryness contrasting the richness of the cheese. A traditional Rutherglen Australian Muscat, such as the Stanton & Killeen Classic Rutherglen Muscat, can add an almost raisiny, orange peel character that complements the delicate flavours of the cheese.
For something more exotic, a sweet Cannonau wine from Sardinia or a Cannonau wine from Sardinia can be paired with Stilton. Late Harvest German Rieslings, such as the Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese or the Schloss Schönborn Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg Riesling Spätlese, will also provide an interesting sweet wine pairing.
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White wines
When it comes to white wines, there are several options that can be paired with Stilton cheese. The blue veins in Stilton make it quite savoury, so a sweet wine is often a good contrast. A classic pairing is a Port, and younger Port wines are a good option. A Tawny Port, which has been aged in oak, is another good choice.
Aged Sauternes are also recommended, as well as Canadian ice wines from Inniskillin or Jackson-Triggs. Late-harvest German Rieslings, such as Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese, are another option, as are wines from Marlborough and other New World regions, such as a rich Alsace Gewürztraminer.
For something a little different, a Cannonau wine from Sardinia or a classic Rhône expression like Châteauneuf-du-Pape will also work.
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Fortified wines
Other fortified wines to consider are sweet, dark Oloroso Sherry, which is nutty and oxidative, or a traditional Rutherglen Australian Muscat, which has an almost raisiny, orange peel character that complements the delicate flavours of the cheese. A drier style of Sicilian Marsala, such as the Marsala Vergine Soleras Secco from Pellegrino, is another option, with its nuttiness and concentration complementing the softness of the cheese.
For something a little different, a slightly oxidative wine like Sherry, aged in a Solera, would be a good choice, reviving the flavours of an older blue cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Sweet wines like port, Sauternes, and sherry are classic pairings with Stilton cheese.
Yes, a few specific wines that pair well with Stilton include Ramos Pinto Fine Ruby Port, Sandeman's Founder Reserve, and Col Solare from Red Mountain in Washington.
Yes, aside from wine, other types of alcohol that pair well with Stilton include damson gin, well-aged Extra Añejo Tequila, and fruity Speyside whisky.
Yes, it is generally recommended to avoid big, dry red wines when serving Stilton cheese.
