Christmas Cheese and Wine Guide
The perfect festive meal ends with a Christmas cheeseboard, a selection of special cheeses, tangy chutneys and plenty of crackers. And one thing a cheese plate loves is wine; scroll down to find the best pairings for your Christmas cheeses.
Tips for creating the perfect Christmas cheeseboard
Tips for creating the perfect Christmas Cheeseboard
With so many options from home and abroad, where to begin? There are no hard and fast rules, but these are the main things to consider...
Contrast
A combination of colours, textures, shapes, sizes and ages creates visual interest and ensures a range of flavours, from subtle to punchy.
Big impact
A ‘cheeseboard’ can be a single bang-in-season cheese served at its absolute peak just as easily as a heaving board of multiple choices.
The classic quartet
Typically, there is something goaty, something hard, something soft and something blue.
The guest star
A wild card keeps everyone on their toes – try a washed rind, a sheep’s milk cheese or something super runny.
Quantity
As a rough guide, figure on serving about 150g cheese (in total) per person.
Side notes
Cheese needs interesting accompaniments – serve with fresh and dried fruit, chutney, some crunchy biscuits or good bread.
Christmas cheeseboard ideas
Nothing says party quite like a board that’s brimming with good things. Here are two of our favourites.
Christmas cheeseboard ideas
Nothing says party quite like a board that’s brimming with good things. Here are two of our favourites.
What is a tomahawk steak?
Tomahawk steak is taken from the rib, with the bone left in for a rich, full flavour. Ours is always from British, forage-fed beef, reared by farmers who share our commitment to animal welfare. It’s named for its shape – the long bone looks like the handle of an axe.
Here comes the cheese
Add these classics to your Christmas cheeseboard.
The Best of British Cheese
Add these national treasures to your Christmas cheeseboard.
THE CLASSIC: No.1 Cornish Quartz Vintage Reserve Mature Cheddar
This crunchy Cornish Cheddar is an all-round crowd pleaser, its crumbly texture carrying a hit of sharp flavour.
THE SOFT: No.1 Rouzaire de Meaux Brie
This is an indulgently sotft, oozy Brie with rich mushroom notes that intensify as it is ripened. Delicious on a crusty baguette with caramelised onion chutney
THE BLUE: No.1 Colston Bassett Blue Stilton
Made by a small but expert dairy in Nottinghamshire, this offers everything you could want in a Stilton, delivering both tanginess and deeply savoury notes.
THE GOAT: Bettine No3
Based on the recipe of our master cheesemaker, Bettine No3 is deliciously smooth and buttery, with a delicate and edible rind.
Available from the service counter in selected stores.
THE MILD: No.1 Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire
This characterful young cheese from the Kirkham family dairy sits somewhere between a Caerphilly and a Manchego, with buttery flavours and a subtle sharpness.
THE HARD: No.1 Cornish Yarg
An iconic semi-hard cheese whose nettle wrapping and notes of lemon and mushroom are always a talking point.
Available from the service counter in selected stores.
What is a tomahawk steak?
Tomahawk steak is taken from the rib, with the bone left in for a rich, full flavour. Ours is always from British, forage-fed beef, reared by farmers who share our commitment to animal welfare. It’s named for its shape – the long bone looks like the handle of an axe.
Cheese and Wine Pairings
Can one bottle really bring out the best in your entire cheeseboard? You might be surprised – these four hard-working options will satisfy all your Christmas cheese needs.
Cheese and Wine Pairings
Can one bottle really bring out the best in your entire cheeseboard? You might be surprised – these four hard-working options will satisfy all your Christmas cheese needs.
Domaine de la Noe Muscadet Sur Lie (France)
Contrary to received wisdom, plenty of white wines go brilliantly with cheese. This one is silky-smooth but retains a vibrant freshness to cut through the cheesy richness.
Available from Waitrose Cellar and selected stores.
Vinalba Patagonia Reserve Malbec, Argentina
From the south of Argentina, where the cooler climate makes for fresher reds, this blackberry-esque Malbec will complement a Christmas cheeseboard without overpowering anything.
Aslina Skin-Contact Chenin Blanc, South Africa
This South African Chenin Blanc has subtle tannins and a touch of colour. Its clean, mineral notes stand up well to cheese and charcuterie.
Available from Waitrose Cellar and selected stores.
Kriek Boon Cherry Lambic, Belgium
Beer and cheese? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. This beer has just the right balance of fruit and acidity to balance out your Christmas cheeseboard.
More cheese and wine tips
More cheese and wine tips
Dish does cheese and wine
Hear wine expert Helen McGinn’s Christmas cheese and wine tips on this special episode of the Dish podcast.
How to cook with cheese
Christmas cheese has life beyond the cheeseboard. Find your umami-rich recipes in our cheese collection.