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A better map than colour alone

Cheese Families & Texture

Fresh, bloomy, washed, blue, hard, brined and stretched-curd cheeses are useful families because they describe how the cheese was made and ripened — not just how it looks.

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A comparison of cheese families with different rinds and textures

Part 01

Moisture is one of the master variables

Fresh cheese holds a lot of water and changes quickly. Hard cheese has lost far more moisture, concentrating salt, fat, protein and flavour while slowing microbial activity.

Part 02

The rind can be an active ecosystem

A rind may simply dry naturally, be encouraged with white mould, be washed repeatedly, or be protected with cloth, wax or another barrier. Each choice changes oxygen, moisture and microbial competition.

Part 03

Texture tells you about the make

A supple paste, crumbly curd, elastic stretch or dense crystalline body reflects acid development, curd handling, moisture, fat and ageing rather than one single ingredient.

Part 04

Families overlap at the edges

Cheese resists neat boxes. A washed bloomy cheese, blue goat’s cheese or semi-hard washed rind can borrow features from several families. Categories are navigation aids, not laws of nature.

Taste the idea

Find it in a real cheese

The catalogue examples below are matched to this subject, so the next step can be tasting rather than another definition.

The Cheesemonger's Choice - Free Delivery product image

The Courtyard Dairy

The Cheesemonger's Choice - Free Delivery

Why it caught our eye

This surprise selection of the very best cheeses on The Courtyard Dairy’s counter is waiting to be delivered direct to you. The Courtyard Dairy’s cheesemongers select their favourite cheeses on the counter each week, ranging from oozing ripe Brie to strong tangy Cheddar. The selection will vary weekly – but each cheese will always be first-class. Each selection includes three cheeses (min. weight 600g) plus a packet of crackers and a detailed article on the cheese producers, as well as a topical information feature on cheese. Includes Free delivery.

£31.00

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Delicatessen Letter Box Hamper product image

Letter Box Hamper

Delicatessen Letter Box Hamper

Why it caught our eye

Beautifully wrapped in traditional parcel paper, with twine and ink stamps, this hamper is for the lover of fine British food and drink and those who have a more savoury palette. The letter box gift hamper includes: A personalised card with the recipient's name and your personal message. Deli Farm Charcuterie Fiocco smoked ham, traditionally dry cured in a blend of salts, herbs and spices, smoked with Apple wood before being slowly air dried. Godminster’s award-winning vintage Organic Cheddar, made from a unique 70-year-old recipe using milk from their dairy herd on Godminster Farm in Somerset. Serious Pig Snacking Salami - prepared from the finest British pork, chilli and smoked paprika, delivering a sharp piquancy and a deep, rich flavour. Smoked Snacking Almonds. Ollie's Olives - Green Halkidiki Olives dressed in a mouth-watering concoction of basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil.

£34.95

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Vina Progreso Revolution Tannat product image

Cheese

Vina Progreso Revolution Tannat

Why it caught our eye

Viña Progreso Revolution Tannat — a modern, fruit‑driven, low‑intervention expression of Uruguay’s flagship grape — shows bold dark fruit, silky tannins, and a fresh, crunchy acidity, making it far more approachable than traditional, ultra‑tannic Tannat styles. Tasting Notes Dark fruit — juicy blackberries, ripe plums, cherry. Spice & earth — black pepper, mocha, baking spice, hints of leather and smoke. Savoury nuance — subtle wild mushroom / smoky bacon edge. Oak polish — vanilla, toast, gentle barrel influence. Texture — medium‑bodied, silky tannins, lively acidity, long generous finish. Overall: Structured yet smooth, modern, vibrant, and highly drinkable. Producer: Viña Progreso (Gabriel Pisano) Fourth‑generation Uruguayan winemaker with experience in Sonoma and Priorat. Revolution series aims to express Uruguay’s identity with a fresh, global‑friendly style. Vineyards in Progreso, Canelones, close to the Atlantic — cooling breezes, slow ripening, high‑density planting (5,000 vine

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Matched from catalogue names, descriptions, attributes and sensory information where available.

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Now use it

Start with the cheese you actually have.

Pairings becomes much easier once you know whether the cheese is fresh or aged, mild or pungent, crumbly or creamy, salty or sweet.

Open cheese pairings