Classic Cheeseboard Case

The Chapel Down Guide to Wine & Cheese Pairing

by Chapel Down 24 September 2021

Wine and cheese, is there a better match made in heaven? Whilst there may be no strict rules in creating mouth-watering combinations, as with food pairing some thought may be required to ensure that the cheese enhances, rather than overwhelms the wine. Read on to discover the Chapel Down team’s favourite English wine and cheese pairings for both classic cheeseboard stalwarts and sensational local cheeses.

SHEEP'S MILK CHEESES 

Who said cheese can only be paired with wine? Be creative and experiment with cocktail pairings!  

For sheep’s milk cheeses such as Manchego or Pecorino, we recommend a heady cocktail of our Pinot Noir Gin with Brut NV to provide the perfect cut through. Our gin is also the perfect match for more pungent cheeses like Stinking Bishop, époisses or limburger.  


CREAMY GOAT'S CHEESES 

A mild creamy goat’s cheese would delicately balance our zesty Lamberhurst Estate Bacchus 2019 for the same reasons that traditionally a Saint Maure Goats cheese would be paired with a Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley. 

This pairing works due to the acidity of the wine helping to cleanse the palate, enhancing the wine flavours on the palate.

BLUE CHEESES OR CAMEMBERT

Syrah 2020 more than holds its own against bold flavoured blue cheeses or camembert, with stronger cheeses enhancing the intense aromas of red berries and black pepper spice, as well as the subtle oak character of this wine.

SEVEN SISTERS

Seven Sisters is made by the High Weald Dairy. It is named after the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in East Sussex. It is a semi-soft matured sheep milk cheese, coated in a layer of Hebridean seaweed. Seven Sisters has a light nuttiness to it and the seaweed coat gives it a delicious tang. 

Our Chapel Down Chardonnay 2020, which is unoaked, has a beautiful creamy body and aromas of white peach, lemon, and apple. The palate mirrors this lovely creamy and rounded mouthfeel with flavours of citrus.  

THE LORD LONDON

The Lord London is produced from cows’ milk, and crafted just outside Mayfield in East Sussex. It is made in the shape of a bell and matured for between 6-8 weeks. It is a semi soft cheese and sits between a Brie and a Camembert. Lord London is a clean, citrus (lemony) cheese with delicate flavours and slight chalkiness.  

Three Graces 2016 has rich and complex aromas of cooked apple, ripe strawberry and shortcut pastry and is often likened to caramelised apple crumble. The palate equally exudes a rich and complex character, with ripe red apple and honey balanced by a fine and smooth mousse. 

Combining Lord London with Three Graces works in a similar way that an apple chutney matches with a brie. Three Graces acts like a tangy yet slightly sweet chutney, and gives additional character to the cheese, whilst the bubbles cleanse the palate, removing any cloying sensation on mouthfeel. 

For those who prefer a rose sparkling wine, this cheese is also a great match with our English Rose NV 

GODMINSTER ORGANIC CHEDDAR

Godminster make award winning Organic Cheddars in the heart of Somerset. Their Organic Cheddar is deliciously smooth and creamy, with a rich and strong flavour, full of depth.  Made to a traditional 90 year old recipe and matured for 12 months, it is then covered in the signature burgundy wax. 

The intense complexity of Kits Coty Chardonnay 2019 and smokiness from the barrel is an excellent match for the deep, rich full flavours of this cheese. The fruit profiles of the wine also help to balance the richness.  

CHEESE & WINE EXPERIENCE

Want to learn more? Book our new 'Cheese & Wine Experience' today! Set within our 68 acre estate, the experience includes a guided tour of our Tenterden vineyards, and concludes with a portfolio wine tasting of a selection of our award winning red, white, rose and sparkling wines paired with local English cheeses and artisan crackers in the stunning Wine Sanctuary. This unique experience is available to book via telephone (01580 766111) or email (retail@chapeldown.com) and is £50.00 per person, with each guest also receiving a £10 gift voucher to spend in the Winery shop.