Which Port goes with cheese?

Port for blue Stilton

Vintage Port spends a short time in wood before it ages in the bottle. Sediment collects in the bottle as it ages, so allow time to decant Vintage Port before serving. If you already have a bottle such as Taylor’s 1977 Vintage Port, you can check its estimated drinking window before opening it. Taylor’s recommends it with mature blue Stilton, where a full-flavoured wine can hold its own against the salty cheese. Taylor’s pairing guide

LBV also comes from one harvest, but spends four to six years in wood before bottling. Some LBVs need decanting. Taylor’s says its 2020 LBV can be poured straight from the bottle, recommends it with Stilton or Roquefort and suggests serving it at 16–18°C. Compare Vintage Port and LBV · Taylor’s 2020 LBV serving notes

You can also serve Stilton with Tawny. Graham’s, for example, recommends Stilton with its 2001 Single Harvest Tawny. Aged Tawny develops nutty flavours as it matures in wood, giving you a different pairing from the fruitier LBV. Graham’s 2001 Single Harvest tasting and pairing sheet · Compare Tawny and Ruby Port

Port for Cheddar, Manchego and Brie

Cheddar or Red Leicester. Try a fruity Ruby. Taylor’s suggests both cheeses with Ruby Port, including a full-flavoured farmhouse Cheddar. Taylor’s pairing guide

Aged Manchego or Parmesan. Try a 20 Year Old Tawny. Portugal’s Port wine institute (IVDP) suggests this style with strong hard cheeses, and Taylor’s names Manchego and Parmesan for its 20 Year Old Tawny. IVDP pairing advice · Taylor’s pairing guide

Brie or another creamy cheese. Try Reserve Ruby, a richer, fruit-led style of Port. Taylor’s suggests its First Estate Reserve with Brie de Meaux, and the IVDP suggests Reserve Ruby or LBV with milder creamy cheeses. Taylor’s pairing guide · IVDP pairing advice

One bottle for a mixed cheeseboard

Say your board has Brie, aged Manchego and blue Stilton. If you’re serving it mainly for the Stilton, pour the LBV and try it with the Brie too. If you chose the board for the Manchego, pour a 20 Year Old Tawny and try a sip with the Stilton. Taste the milder Brie first so you can judge it before the stronger cheeses.

Check the producer’s serving advice for your bottle. The IVDP’s general range for Tawny is 10–14°C, so serve it cool. If you’ve already opened a bottle for the board, see how long each Port style keeps after opening. IVDP serving temperatures