Our Favourite Festive Cheeses
All the festivities at this time of year simply wouldn’t be the same without some special cheese. After all, what’s a celebration without a cheeseboard?! During the festive season why not serve up some delicious and different cheeses to delight your guests, whether it’s a quiet Christmas Eve watching films and waiting for Santa, or a huge NYE house party expected to continue into the early hours. That’s the great thing about cheese – it’s perfect for any party.
For us, it’s really not difficult choosing out ultimate cheeses for the festive season! Many people love soft cheeses which can be baked and enjoyed as a fondue during the colder months, but a cheeseboard is always a winner. Take a look at our festive cheeseboard inspiration, ideal for a casual NYE party or a formal New Year’s Day after dinner treat.
What makes the perfect cheeseboard?
A wide variety of cheeses is the best way to satisfy tastebuds when it comes to a cheeseboard. Then, of course it’s not all about the individual cheeses, but what they are served with. For a festive touch why not add baked figs to the board, along with fruity chutneys and flavoured crackers. As a general rule of thumb, a cheeseboard should have a cheddar, a brie, a blue and a mystery guest. Here’s our recommendations!
Vintage organic cheddar
The perfect consistency for slicing and placing on a cracker, organic cheddar is a favourite for many. Rich, strong and buttery, it makes the perfect dessert which is why it fits so nicely onto a cheeseboard.
Organic brie
In juxtaposition with the mature hard cheddar you should have a softer cheese, and we always prefer a brie. Godminster organic brie is smooth and subtle, and simply ideal for spreading on a cracker or biscuit.
Stilton blue
While blue cheese isn’t always to everybody’s taste, a deep flavoured smelly cheese should always have a place on a cheeseboard. We recommend one of best traditionally made crusted Stiltons – Colston Bassett. The flavours linger on the palate and pair well with a Pinot Noir.
Smoked
Now, for the mystery guest cheese! We like to include a twist on a classic cheese, rather than just offering another hard or soft cheese. For example, Godminster’s oak smoked vintage cheddar is delicious and offers a unique taste that your guests may have never experienced. A herby cheese, such as brie infused with garlic and chives, can also go down well at Christmastime.
All that’s left to say from Godminster is we hope you have a wonderful festive period! Take a look at our recipe pages for more cheese inspiration.