Barkham Blue

Supreme Champion at the 2015 World Cheese Awards. This ammonite-shaped cheese was originally produced at the Rose family’s dairy in Berkshire. When they decided to stop making cheese however, production was passed to Sandy Rose’s cousin, Anne Wigmore of Village Maid cheeses in Riseley, Berkshire.

Characteristics: Semi-soft Jersey milk blue with a golden paste and a natural, greyish blue rind from a combination of penicillium camemberti (white) and roquforti (blue) moulds. The earthy, slightly bitter rind compliments perfectly the subtly sweet, rich, buttery paste.

Best with: Try pairing this buttery blue with a cool glass of 10 year old tawny port.