I’m a cheese fanatic. Any regular readers will know this. Given the choice, I could quite easily live on the stuff. I’ve never encountered a cheese I didn’t like and I’m always on the lookout for new brands and types to try. The latest of these was Davidstow who challenged me to create my dream cheeseboard.

Well, where to begin with that, considering my dream cheeseboard would be more of a castle, with different levels and rooms?! I had to control myself (for the sake of both my bank account and waistline!), so I went for an ‘around the world’ theme, featuring the following:

UK: Davidstow 3 Year Special Reserve Vintage cheddar
France: Camembert
Spain: Manchego
Italy: Mozzarella
Greece: Feta

I know most cheese connoisseurs will pair cheeses that complement each other, or are perhaps from the same country. However I like the idea of experiencing a range of flavours and textures, from the thickness of the manchego to the softness of the mozzarella, and the richness of the cheddar to the creaminess of the camembert.

I was sent the 3 Year Special Reserve Vintage cheddar to try out. Made with passion and pride by the master cheese makers at the Davidstow Creamery on the rugged North Cornish Coast, from locally sourced farms, it is matured for a minimum of three years, giving it a distinct firm yet crumbly texture. This was my first time trying Davidstow cheddar and I was really impressed. I always think that the slightly ‘gooier’ cheeses like Camembert and Brie are my favourites but then I try an amazing cheddar like this one and it makes me rethink my cheese ranking! And of course makes me proud to be British, knowing that we’re creating such epic cheese.

I also like to have a variety of biscuit types to accompany cheese, with some fruit (grapes and figs), chutney and a good glass of port!

The team at Davidstow have also worked with two star Michelin Chef, and champion of all things Cornish, Nathan Outlaw, to share his serving tips as well as the best accompaniments for your Christmas cheeseboard to help wow your guests:

• Pairing cheese with the right accompaniment will bring out its
  unique flavours. Partner Davidstow with a fruit based homemade
  chutney and a crunchy oatcake as it helps to provide a sweet
  balance to its sharp bite.
• Be sure to serve cheese at room temperature to bring out its full
  flavour – allow a minimum standing period of 20 minutes.
• Never pre-slice cheese as it will cause it to dry out.
• Vary the cheeses that you include on a cheese board, including
  differing textures as well as varieties.
• Present cheese on either a large flat slate or marble tile or a wooden cheeseboard.

If you’d like to try out the Davidstow 3 Year Special Reserve Vintage cheddar, it’s available at Sainsbury’s and Ocado, RRP £4.00 (250g) and you can find out more on their website here.

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I was sent a cheeseboard and cheese samples to take part in the challenge by Haygarth and Davidstow, but did not receive any payment. All views are my own.