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Our favourite Christmas cheeseboards for guests and gifts
Though there's no rule book to follow when it comes to curating the perfect Christmas cheeseboard, we recommend including a variety of tastes and textures to please all palates – plus plenty of your favourites, of course.
As a starting point, aim to include at least one white or bloomy-rinded cheese like camembert or brie, a harder, crowd-pleasing cheese like cheddar or comté, and a stronger blue, like stilton or gorgonzola.
In terms of crackers, plain biscuits are generally best, as they won't mask the flavour of the cheese. Chutney, quince paste and honey all make a welcome addition to the Christmas cheeseboard, as do fruits like grapes, apples and pears.
Contrary to popular belief, both white wine and champagne pair wonderfully with all sorts of cheese – particularly the nuttier, aged cheeses like parmesan and gouda. If you prefer red at this time of year, then opt for a lighter-bodied bottle with soft tannins and juicy red fruit to avoid overwhelming the cheese.
To taste the cheese at its best, it's crucial to take it out of the fridge at least 40 minutes before serving. Though it may be tempting to reach straight for your favourite, it’s best to serve the cheeses in order of intensity, from milder styles through to the bigger, bolder blues.
Our panel of experts sampled 17 cheese selections from the leading supermarkets and cheesemongers to find their favourites for Christmas 2021.
They were looking for a well-curated board that offered a variety of tastes and textures, with additional points scored for presentation and extras like condiments, crackers and helpful tasting notes.
Our winning cheese hamper impressed our panel with its luxe packaging, including a wooden lid that doubles up as a cheeseboard.
It's unsurprising, given Cartwright & Butler's reputation for making award-winning crackers, that its buttery cheese biscuits were the best on test. The addition of a refreshing bottle of cielo del sur makes this a firm favourite for Christmas gifting – even if it is a gift from you, to you.
Key specifications
Contains: 12 items
Delivery information: Nationwide delivery, £5.95
Despite the affordable price tag, Tesco's cheese selection feels every bit Christmas-worthy, thanks to the keepsake slate board, in-depth information on each cheese and handy wine suggestions, too.
There's a good mixture of textures and strengths to suit all palates, from the oozy Somerset brie to characterful mould-ripened brie with a tangy natural rind. Sure, there's no crackers or chutneys included, but it's a great starter selection.
Key specifications
Contains: 5 items
Delivery information: Nationwide delivery, from £3
Cheddar lover? Look no further. This stellar all-cheddar line-up includes seven varieties to choose from, including a moreish black pepper cheddar (which reminded our panel of cacio e pepe) and a super-punchy garlic and chive cheddar destined for cheese toasties and a steaming mug of tomato soup… as long as there's no kissing under the mistletoe, that is.
Key specifications
Contains: 7 items
Delivery information: Nationwide delivery, free
Our panel had nothing but rave reviews for Pipers Farm's cheese selection, which sources from farms specialising in sustainable dairy practice.
The condiments were a particular highlight; the spiced apple chutney brings a warming chilli kick (perfect for pairing with thick slices of the clothbound cheddar and sourdough), while the sweet, sticky onion marmalade is a match made in heaven for the Cropwell Bishop stilton. Delicious.
Key specifications
Contains: 7 items
Delivery information: Nationwide delivery, from £4.95
If you're looking for a one-stop selection for your Christmas cheeseboard, then this Paxton & Whitfield hamper is it. Seriously, they've got everything covered, from a nutty mature cheddar to a suitably strong camembert, plus crackers, accompaniments (sloe fig slice and a sticky caramelised onion chutney), and a keepsake cheese knife.
Key specifications
Contains: 9 items
Delivery information: Nationwide delivery, free
Though Quicke's selection includes just four cheeses, they are very generous portions, making it great for bigger groups or grazing on throughout the festive season.
The focus is on the classics, with a buttery blue, oozy brie and a complex mature cheddar, but our favourite was the ash-dusted Tor, which added a peppery flavour to the largely traditional line-up.
Key specifications
Contains: 4 items
Delivery information: Nationwide delivery, free
Beautifully packaged in a white wicker hamper – as is the Daylesford way – this selection of organic cheeses showcases the best of the Cotswolds.
There's a waxed cheddar, buttery rich brie and a Bledington blue, while star crackers and a jar of fig and balsamic chutney packed with Christmas spicing (think cinnamon, cloves and allspice) add a suitably festive touch.
Key specifications
Contains: 6 items
Delivery information: Nationwide delivery, £6.95
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