We Have Handpicked our Top 5 Irish Cheese from the Boyne Valley with Irish Wine and More…
Gently rolling landscape, covered with lush greenery and peat bogs, sandy beaches with azure waters, crystal clear lakes and rivers. The republic of Ireland is the place where you get to experience nature’s pristine treasures, untouched by the wounds of modernity.
The expansive castles tell a story of the fierce battles that were fought in this soil whereas the thatched roof huts, century-old stables, and large open farms indicate the simple lives that the Irish love to spend.
Even today, traditional Irish farming is among the best systems for animal rearing. And, equally famous is the iconic Irish cuisine. The various dishes made out of potatoes such as boxty, champ, colcannon, and shepherd’s pie is well known all over the world. One item that we often miss out is goat cheese.
The Boyne Valley Award-Winning Irish Farmhouse Cheese
Though the Emerald Isle has a vast area of green farms throughout, it is the Boyne valley where the best cheese is made. The place has a history of nine thousand years and is the gateway to ancient Ireland. It has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO, and places such as the Hill of Tara, the Trim Castle, the Kells high crosses, the old Mellifont abbey are among the must-visit tourist spots. But the Boyne valley is not all about kings, battles, and religion alone. It is also among the world’s top destinations for
food lovers. Visitors will discover a wide variety of craft beer, apple ciders, fresh seafood, and goat or blue cheeses on the menu in the food festivals held here.
The fertile Boyne valley farmhouse Cheese company has around 300 goats, and it belongs to a Michael Finegan, who’s family have been in the dairy business for many generations. The animals are mixed herds of Swiss breed Alpine, Anglo-Nubian, etc. They get to graze on the large farm freely. Around a thousand liters of goat milk goes into the production of cheese
every week. Two varieties of cheese, namely, the blue goat cheese and the Boyne Valley Bán, are popular among the chefs and homes throughout the country. The blue and white cheese can taste mild or piquant, depending on the time given for maturing. These can be paired with almost every food item right from sausages to Wine.
Irish Whiskeys, Mead and Wine, Fruit and Spice and All Things Nice. Food Pairings Made in Heaven.
Ireland is famous for its pint of black Guinness. But it has its share of beers, whiskeys, and wine. They are so popular that even the Irish coffee has whiskey in them. Though France and Italy are the capital for the
wine brewing industry, it is said that most of the well-known wineries around the world have some sort of Irish connection. Vineyards existed, and wine-making was a practice in Ireland as early as the fifth century. The Celtic monks made the Mead wine by mixing grapevine, herbs, and honey. This Irish drink, also known as the honey drink, was one of the reasons behind the term honeymoon. Today, Wicklow Way wines, Lusca wines, Thomas Walk, and David Dennison are some of the famous Irish wine brands.
Now in the land of abundant cheese and wine, all that one needs to know is how to pair them for the perfect Irish treat.
Paul Kavanagh from the Irish Food Trail
1. Cheese with the Lusca wine
Lusca, the traditional Wine from Ireland, is a dry red wine. It has the notes of French burgundy and cabernet. The wine is full-bodied and intense. As the vines grow in a damp, cold climate with limited
sunlight, the processing period is long. It goes well with hard and fortified cheese like cheddar and blue cheese. The Boyne valley blue cheese that is aged for a minimum of two months has a brown rind and crumbly texture. The strong piquant taste with grassy notes goes well with robust red wines. Both the cheese and wine can be used for salad dressing too. If the wine is medium-bodied like Vintage Port,
then you can combine it with spicy and robust cheese.
2. The right cheese for the Irish Mead
Considered as the world’s oldest alcoholic drink, the sweet drink is a must-include in parties, weddings, and holidays even today in Ireland. Although the basic ingredients for the aphrodisiac drink are white wine, honey, and herbs, every Irish home has its secret recipe for making the mead. A country known for its premium quality farmhouse cheese, the pairing of the cheese with the humble mead is a match made in heaven. The herbaceous drink goes well with the dry, sour, and salty cheese like the blue-veined goat cheese from the Boyne valley. The sweet and fruity taste of the wine brings down the acidic and salty taste of the cheese. So, it is a nice pairing with Colcannon. Fruity meads go well with spicy and creamy dishes like basil pasta. In general, if the mead is prepared freshly, you can go for fresh and creamy cheese and darker meads are best with steaks, barbecue, and local savory dishes like shepherd’s pie and gingerbread squares.
3. Cheese with the Rondo Wine
The rondo grapes are dark-skinned and grow well in places with a colder climate like Ireland. It is this property, which makes the variety so common in the vineyards of Ireland. This vintage is full-bodied, deep red and is often blended with other wines like pinot noir to make it slightly light. The pure rondo wine has a vibrant tangy flavor with a light tannin finish. The color and acidity level are similar to that of the barbera wine but it lacks the juicy, herbal ending. The wine goes well with all the staple dishes of Ireland such as potatoes, cabbages, and cheese. As the wine tends to be strong, you can choose hard cheese varieties that are aged and powerful on the tongue. The Boyne valley blue goat cheese or Corleggy Cheese could fit perfectly with the red Rondo Wine.
4. Cheese with fruity Móinéir Wines
This award-winning fruity wine from County Wicklow is almost unique to Ireland. They come in different flavors like strawberry, blackberry, Raspberry etc. They are tasty, aromatic, and easy to drink. Semi-soft, mild, salty, and creamy cheese can fit perfectly with these wines. The Boyne Valley Ban cheese that is white, buttery, with earthy scent and the Wicklow way wines are the must-have items for summer picnics in the Emerald Isle. You can combine the sweet strawberry wine with cheesy and spicy dishes like pepperoni or BBQ chicken pizza. It also works well with a bar of dark chocolate.