by Sophia Stern
Why we love the cheese
You’ll smell grass, earth, and rich cream right away. Montgomery’s Cheddar, a 60-pound, clothbound cheddar made by hand by Jamie Montgomery, is the gold standard for traditional English cheddar making. The Montgomery’s cows graze on 1,200 acres of gorgeous countryside in Sommerset, England. Their milk is only used to make this standout cheddar, which is made seven days a week. Neal’s Yard Dairy hand selects each wheel they sell, picking wheels that are particularly beefy, savory, and bold.
Why we love the cider
Restoration Cider Co makes elegant, complex ciders inspired by the dry cider traditions in Northwest Spain. Hailing from the Driftless, Restoration champions local by using local apples and dedicating 5% of their profits to restoring streams in Southwest Wisconsin. This semi-dry cider, ‘Driftless’, is light and crystalline with a refreshing, crisp finish. It’s not too sweet and easy to drink.
Why we love the pairing
This is autumn in a pairing. Montgomery’s Cheddar needs a little sweetness to round out all the savory, earthy notes in the cheese. This semi-dry cider does the trick. The Driftless tastes just how you want: like fresh, crisp apples with lingering sweetness. The light fizz in the cider balances against the richness of the cheddar, making it easier to keep going back and forth between the two.
What else you should do with it
This is an ideal pairing to take on a fall picnic. Montgomery’s Cheddar makes an amazing sandwich cheese. Make two sandwiches: one with fresh sliced apples, Montgomery’s Cheddar, and honey. The other with mustard, caramelized onions, Montgomery’s Cheddar and roast beef on some beautiful rye bread. Bring the cider along and enjoy it all with that basket of apples you picked when you visited the apple orchard.