Your perfect CHRISTMAS SELECTION
Enjoy a box of festive British cheeses from cheesegeek, specially curated by expert Ned Palmer
To launch the festive season, we’re sharing some tempting alternatives to the time-honoured Christmas selection. A mix of classic British, continentally inspired and new-wave, these cheeses express the spirit of tradition and innovation typical of modern British cheesemaking, and they taste delicious. Any of these would make a great addition to your family’s Christmas cheeseboard, or an exciting present for the adventurous cheese fan in your life.
Meet our expert
Cheesemonger and author Ned Palmer works with our partner cheesegeek and the BBC Good Food team to curate selections for the BBC Good Food Cheese Club. He is the founder of the Cheese Tasting Company and a judge for the International Cheese Awards. Ned has written two books, the Sunday Times bestseller A Cheesemonger’s History of the British Isles (£9.99, Profile Books) and A Cheesemonger’s Compendium of British and Irish Cheese (£14.99, Profile Books).
1 Vintage Lincolnshire Poacher
Made by Simon and Tim Jones in Lincolnshire
Often described as the love child of Cheddar and Gruyère, Lincolnshire Poacher combines the sweetness and elasticity of an alpine cheese with the bite and beefy richness of Cheddar, adding a note of canned pineapple all its own. For Christmas, in place of conventional Cheddar, we suggest this two-year-old cheese, with all the depth of character age confers. This can hold its own with an Australian shiraz.
2 Harrogate Blue
Made by the Bell family and their team in North Yorkshire
Subbing for Stilton in this alternative Christmas selection, this cheese does a fantastic job. With its warm yellow colour and evenly spread indigo veins, Harrogate looks great on a festive cheeseboard. Restrained blueing gives it mass appeal, and though mild, Harrogate has a full, creamy texture and deep, complex lavour itting for the season, including umami, leather and a peppery inish. Try with a glass of white port.
3 Gorwydd Caerphilly
Made by Todd and Maugan Trethowan in Somerset In the north of England, no festive cheeseboard is complete without a wedge of Wensleydale or Lancashire to have with Christmas cake. Gorwydd has a dove-grey mould rind with a mushroomy lavour. Under this is a creamy layer, overlaying a crumbly cheese with citrussy acidity. This raw-milk cheese provides a complex alternative to a much-loved seasonal pairing.
4 Old Winchester
Made by Mike and Judy Smales and their team in Wiltshire Rather than compete with Cheddar, Mike and Judy decided to create a completely new cheese. Beginning with a Gouda recipe, they dialled down Gouda’s sweetness and ramped up the savoury character. Old Winchester has a deep yellow colour and an aroma of buttered popcorn. Residual sweetness is balanced by beefiness, warm hay and a tingle in the finish – flavours that marry well with amontillado sherry.
5 Rollright
Made by David Jowett in Gloucestershire An oozing cheese with a petrolly aroma and savoury, meaty flavours. It’s a more approachable version of the pungent Vacherin, an alpine cheese often baked whole – an instant fondue, which is ideal for the Christmas table. Do the same with a Rollright, or enjoy it on a cheeseboard with a glass of full-bodied, off-dry white.