Create the Ultimate Cheeseboard this Galentines Day

You’ve heard of bring a bottle, but have you heard of ‘bring a board’?

Thanks to this latest social media trend, ‘bring a board’ has seen a resurge in the classic cheeseboard over recent months, with hosts serving interesting and unique creations to elevate their nights in.

Traditionally, the cheeseboard has been the centrepiece of the dining table for entertaining, but striking the right balance between trusted favourite, and new, innovative flavour combinations is the key to elevating your soirees in 2023!

Our team of experts here at the Wensleydale Creamery have crafted a guide to delivering the ultimate show-stopping cheeseboard.  Get set to impress the girls this romantic season with the perfect number of cheeses and exciting flavour combinations, to the best accompaniments and top tips for serving.

For perfecting your cheeseboard, we recommend a minimum of five different cheese varieties with a range of flavours, textures and colours is the ideal combination to ensure your spread delivers on both flavours and aesthetics including:

• A traditional and iconic British ‘crumbly’ variety, such as the ever-popular Yorkshire Wensleydale, brings a unique creamy and crumbly texture to your cheeseboard.
• A blue cheese is also key and Wensleydale Blue with it’s delicate, mellow, yet full flavour and creamy texture has broad appeal for newcomers to blue cheese and connoisseurs alike!
• Create a contrast to the savoury flavours with a sweet, fruity option, such as the fail-safe favourite Yorkshire Wensleydale & Cranberries, which also adds a burst of colour too. 
• A cheese with an impressive heritage, Kit Calvert Old-Style Wensleydale is handcrafted and naturally aged with a delicious buttery, creamy texture.
• A real classic, Yorkshire Cheddar is strong and powerful, with complex flavours and a rich, robust finish to satisfy your guests tastebuds.
• Adding in a smoked cheese creates a further dimension to a cheeseboard and Naturally Oaked Smoked Wensleydale has a beautiful golden rind and subtle, smoky flavour.

Whether you serve your cheeseboard simple or grandiose, here are some top serving tips for the perfect ‘Insta-worthy’ spread.

1. Storage

Always store your cheese wrapped, and in an airtight container in the fridge, away from other strong-smelling foods. This will ensure your cheese keeps its true flavour and prevents it from drying out.

• Room Temperature

Remove your cheese from the fridge an hour before serving to allow the aroma, texture and complex flavours of each cheese to be served at room temperature.

• Perfect Portions

For the classic wedge, use approximately 80g of cheese per person for your cheeseboard, and think about a selection of cheese varieties that will give your guests a contrast of flavours, textures and colours.

• Garnish Galore

Whilst the cheese is the real star of the show, the power of accompaniments can’t be overlooked! A selection of biscuits, crackers or oatcakes, or fresh crusty bread complements the flavours and textures perfectly and provides an easy way to serve too. Similarly, chutneys, balsamic or pickled onions, nuts, charcuterie, fruit confits and honey make for tasty and exciting pairings.

Our range of fantastic Valentine’s gifts are a great place to source the ultimate cheeseboard and accompaniments, ensuring you have everything you need to take your cheeseboard to the next level. Also available from our Online Deli are Deli Boxes and Freshly Cut Cheese Boxes, ensuring every gathering is catered for.