There is nobody in this world that doesn’t enjoy a bit of wine and cheese
There isn’t a better pairing in the world than a good wine and cheese pairing. The amount of combinations you can make with this combo is infinite and the flavors captured with each pairing will be entirely different with the slightest change of pairing. Last week was National Cheese & Wine Day and to celebrate this holiday, Sandeman Port and Jasper Hill Farm have collaborated to bring you the perfect pairing.
In collaboration with Beauty & the Board, Jasper Hill and Sandeman Port have created the perfect cheese board pairings that go perfectly with the Sandeman Founder’s Reserve. And to those that find cheese boards a little intimidating, these cheeses all taste incredible so selecting the cheese is the easy part.
We got to try a selection of the cheeses and pair them with a bottle of Sandeman Founder’s Reserve. A few cheeses we tried from Jasper Hill included the Harbison Mini, the Bayley Hazen Blue, and the Cabot Clothbound. And we can give you a rundown of what to expect with these cheeses.
The Sandeman Founder’s Reserve is similar to a traditional port where it has a high alcohol content and should be taken in small batches. The hue is a deep ruby red that is stunning to look at. With notes of ripened red fruit, jam, and hints of vanilla, this port is perfect for a cheese combination, chocolate pairing, or going with any decadent dessert you might have on hand.
The Bayley Hazen Blue was probably our favorite cheese out of the three. And those who don’t like blue cheese usually might be surprised by this one. The usual sharpness and peppery aspects with a traditional blue cheese are subdued and instead replaced by wonderful notes of toasted-nuts and a bit of spice to it. Paired with the port turned into a lovely combo where the spice from the cheese balanced out the fruitiness of the port.
And next cheese was the cabot clothbound. This is a type of cheddar that had deep savory notes to it with a slight tang. It was also very crumbly so it made for a perfect bite alone where you can really immerse yourself in the flavor. The sweetness from the port created a perfect blend of sweet and savory when enjoying this pairing and created a balance of flavor in your palate.
The last cheese was the Harbison cheese and is a creamy cheese, similar to a brie. This was definitely the most interesting flavor wise that we had and took a few tastes to really hone in on the flavor of the cheese.The flatbread became the perfect vessel for the cheese where you can spread it all across the cracker. The cheese has a deep woody flavor, somewhat similar to the oakiness you get from a brandy or whiskey, and had hints of sweetness dispersed with each bite. The port’s sweetness with the vanilla helps accentuate this cheese more making for a fun pairing.
We recommend giving these cheeses a try. Not only will you learn how to appreciate finely crafted cheese, but you can also enjoy the cheese with a nice glass of port.
