England’s king of blues: rich, creamy and mellow, and famous at Christmas.
Where it comes from
Despite its name, Stilton has never been made in the village of Stilton. It was sold there, to travellers on the road north from London. Today it can only be made in three English counties: Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, by a small number of licensed dairies.
It is made from local pasteurised cow’s milk. The cheese is never pressed, which keeps it creamy, and it is pierced with needles so the blue veins can grow from the centre outwards. It is aged for at least nine weeks. Stilton has been a protected name in Europe since 1996.
How it tastes
Stilton is rich and buttery, with a mellow, nutty tang. It is less salty and less sharp than many blues. Young, it is crumbly and fresh. With more age, it turns creamier and deeper, with notes of walnut and mushroom near the crust.
Some dairies also make a White Stilton, without the blue veins. It is young, fresh and crumbly, and is often mixed with fruit such as apricot or cranberry. Blue Stilton is the classic.
How to buy and serve it
- Look for blue veins spread evenly from the centre to the crust.
- The paste should be creamy, not dry or brown.
- Cut it in wedges, never scoop it from the middle.
- Serve at room temperature, ideally after an hour out of the fridge.
The pairing
The classic: Port. Stilton and Port are one of the great English traditions. The sweet, rich wine balances the salt and the tang of the blue, and its nutty or fruity notes echo the cheese.
- From our list: Niepoort 10 Years Old Tawny Port (about €35.95), with caramel and walnut notes.
- Darker and fruitier: Domaine de la Rectorie Banyuls (about €25), a sweet red from Roussillon.
- Close to home: a Luxembourg Vin de Paille or Vendanges Tardives.
- Avoid: dry red wines. The salt and tang make them taste bitter.
Also try it with
- Walnuts, celery and oatcakes.
- Ripe pears or a spoon of chutney.
- Crumbled into a broccoli soup.
- Melted over a steak.
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Photo: Pixabay
Prices were checked in October 2026 and can change. Please drink responsibly. L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération.