How to pick Christmas cheese for a cheeseboard

It’s all about the texture, so aim for a variety. “Think soft to hard and crumbly to creamy cheeses,” suggests Rosie. As well as classic stilton, cheddar and brie, look out for our sweet, spicy Wensleydale with Spiced Fruits and Brandy, nutty 2-Year-Old Vintage Comté, our tangy, deeply savoury Blacksticks Blue and our mild, creamy Cambozola (it’s like a mixture between French triple cream cheese and gorgonzola) in the Foodhall this year. Keep reading for more of our favourite festive cheeses.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without some crumbly, rich stilton. Our award-winning Collection Blue Stilton Jar deserves a prime spot on your board. This creamy cheese is made in Leicestershire by the experts at Long Clawson Dairy, who’ve been making cheese in the Vale of Belvoir for over 100 years. It’s presented in a beautiful ceramic jar which keeps the cheese in perfect condition. Stilton pairs beautifully with sweet flavours – try our Festive Chutney or a drizzle of Collection Zambian Honey with Walnuts.

Adding a smoked cheese to your board will give it an extra flavour dimension. Try our Oak Smoked 2-Year-Old Cornish Cruncher Cheddar, which is typically matured for 24 months to let it develop natural crunchy crystals, then oak smoked for an intense, complex smoky flavour. It also makes for epic festive toasties come Boxing Day – layer up with leftover turkey, ham and a dollop of our Collection Bloody Mary Chutney then grill until golden and bubbling.

Like your cheese ripe, oozy and full of intense flavours? Add some Vacherin Mont D’Or to your Christmas cheeseboard selection. Made by hand to traditional methods in the Jura region of France, it has an earthy aroma and rich, clotted cream taste. It’s delicious served at room temperature, or take it to the next level and serve it with bacon-wrapped mini roast potatoes for an epic festive fondue. Look out for it in store this Christmas.

A port is a classic pairing for a reason – the sweet, rich flavours work a treat with creamy cheeses. “I always serve our Collection Late Bottled Port,” says Caroline Thompson-Hill, our M&S Head of Beers, Wines and Spirits. “After up to six years ageing in large wooden casks, it develops rich flavours of blackberry, spice and dark chocolate. A treat to enjoy after dinner.” Don’t fancy port? Try a sparkling wine, such as our Classis No. 12 Cremanté de Bourgogne. Made in the same way as Champagne, but for a fraction of the price, it has soft, creamy bubbles and notes of peach blossom and apricot – delicious with cheese and crackers.