A few thoughts on building the perfect cheeseboard: Balance is key. Do arrange your cheeses from mild to strong, and include a variety of textures – creamy, crumbly, hard, and soft. Do also accompany them with seasonal fruits (think grapes, figs, and pears), nuts, artisanal crackers, and a dollop of chutney or quince paste. And, finally, don’t neglect to add a festive touch with sprigs of rosemary or to serve with a selection of wines – port for Stilton, Champagne for Brie, and a robust red for Cheddar.
Here, we present our choice of the best cheeses to buy for Christmas 2024. Happy Cheesemas, one and all.
The Centrepiece: A Decadent Blue Cheese
No festive cheese board is complete without a bold and creamy blue cheese. Opt for Colston Bassett Stilton (from £11.05, Neal’s Yard Dairy), hailed as the king of English blues. Its luscious texture and well-balanced tang make it a classic choice that pairs beautifully with port or figs. For something a little different, try Roquefort Papillon, (from £14.55, La Fromagerie), the French masterpiece with a rich, salty punch. Serve with honeycomb for a touch of sweetness. The lesser-known cousin of Stilton, named Stichelton (from £11.25, Paxton & Whitfield), is also a good contender, similar in intensity yet made with unpasteurised milk – and the perfect way to spark a festive debate about which blue is best.
A Creamy Crowd-Pleaser
Every board needs a soft and indulgent option, and Baron Bigod (£36 for a kilo, Fen Farm Dairy) fits the bill perfectly. This British take on Brie de Meaux is earthy, creamy, and utterly moreish. Alternatively, consider Camembert de Normandie (£12.50, Paxton & Whitfield). Its nutty, mushroomy notes evoke the rustic charm of French farmhouses. Pro tip: bake it with garlic and rosemary for a show-stopping centrepiece.
A Hard Cheese Hero
For a robust, nutty flavour, Montgomery’s Cheddar (£34.60 for a kilo, Neal’s Dairy) is unmatched. Aged for over 12 months, it boasts a tangy depth that’s perfect with chutney or an apple slice. Or take a journey to the Alps with Comté Extra Vieux (£9.45, The Cheese Geek). Aged for 24 months, this exquisite French marvel offers caramel notes and crystalline bursts that make it a real crowd-pleaser.
The Wild Card
For a delicate touch, introduce a goat’s cheese like Dorstone (£5.50 – £11, Cartmel Cheeses), a fine British cheese in a conical shape and coated in edible ash. Its creamy yet tangy profile is divine with honey or beetroot chutney. Feeling adventurous? Try Gorgonzola Piccante (£15, The Fine Cheese Company), first made in the caves of Valassina in Gorgonzola by travelling cow herders in the 9th-century, for its creamy, yet spicy profile. Or why not plump for Epoisses (£10.63, Yumbles), a pungent French washed-rind cheese that is salty, silky and perfect spread on bread of even gingerbread? (What better way to demolish the gingerbread house?)
A Sweet Finale: Wensleydale with Cranberries
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Wensleydale with Cranberries (£5.75, Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe), a brilliantly festive addition that balances sweetness with creaminess. Sure, it’s not one for the purists, but then, we don’t really care too much for puritanism at Christmas. It’s a nod to tradition and always a hit with guests. Plus it has the sweetest packaging we’ve ever seen.
