The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Monofloral Honeys with Cheese and Wine

This holiday season, elevate your celebrations with the exquisite pairing of monofloral honeys, artisanal cheeses, and fine wines. A well-curated cheeseboard not only impresses your guests but also becomes the centerpiece of any festive table, adding warmth and sophistication to your gatherings. At Deuke’s, we’re passionate about showcasing the exceptional qualities of monofloral honeys. Our honeys are monofloral, produced from the nectar of a single plant species, resulting in unique individual flavours, tastes and unrivalled health benefits.

Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or looking for the perfect gift, our guide will help you create a cheeseboard that’s as memorable as the season itself. From delicate floral notes to bold, malty undertones, each honey brings a unique flavour that pairs beautifully with the richness of artisanal cheeses and the elegance of carefully selected wines.

1. Acacia Honey

Flavour Profile: Mild, floral, and delicately sweet with vanilla notes.

Cheese Pairings:

• Goat Cheese: The mild, tangy flavor complements the subtle sweetness of acacia honey.
• Brie: Soft and creamy, brie balances beautifully with acacia’s light floral notes.
• Comté: This nutty, semi-hard cheese harmonizes with acacia’s understated sweetness.

Wine Pairings:

• Sauvignon Blanc: Its crisp acidity highlights acacia honey’s floral qualities.
• Champagne: The effervescence complements the honey’s light sweetness.
• Chenin Blanc: Versatile and slightly off-dry, it enhances the honey’s delicate flavor.

2. Rapeseed Honey

Flavour Profile: Mildly sweet with buttery and slightly earthy undertones.

Cheese Pairings:

• Camembert: The creamy, earthy notes of Camembert pair well with rapeseed honey’s gentle sweetness.
• Havarti: A mild, semi-soft cheese that matches the honey’s subtle flavors.
• Ricotta: Its fresh, light profile pairs wonderfully with the honey’s smooth texture.

Wine Pairings:

• Chardonnay: A creamy, oaked Chardonnay mirrors the buttery quality of rapeseed honey.
• Pinot Grigio: Crisp and light, balancing the honey’s earthiness.
• Prosecco: Adds a refreshing effervescence to the pairing.

3. Sunflower Honey

Flavour Profile: Robust and slightly tangy with a herbal finish.

Cheese Pairings:

• Manchego: The nutty and buttery profile pairs well with sunflower honey’s tanginess.
• Gouda: Especially aged Gouda, with its caramel notes, complements sunflower’s herbal tang.
• Feta: The salty, tangy flavor provides a contrast to the honey’s richness.

Wine Pairings:

• Rioja: The complex flavors of aged Rioja enhance sunflower honey’s herbal notes.
• Rosé: A dry rosé highlights the honey’s tanginess.
• Viognier: Its aromatic qualities complement sunflower honey’s herbal finish.

4. Linden Honey

Flavour Profile: Floral and herbal with hints of mint and citrus.

Cheese Pairings:

• Gruyère: The nutty and slightly sweet profile complements linden honey’s complexity.
• Blue Cheese: A bold contrast that highlights both the cheese’s pungency and the honey’s herbal sweetness.
• Mascarpone: Its creamy, neutral profile allows the honey’s flavors to shine.

Wine Pairings:

• Riesling: A dry or off-dry Riesling mirrors the honey’s citrusy notes.
• Gewürztraminer: Its spicy and aromatic profile complements linden’s herbal character.
• Muscadet: A crisp choice that balances the honey’s sweetness.

5. Sage Honey

Flavour Profile: Delicate and herbal with a slightly warm, woody finish.

Cheese Pairings:

• Cheddar: A sharp, aged cheddar pairs beautifully with sage honey’s woody warmth.
• Pecorino Romano: Its salty, nutty notes provide a delightful contrast.
• Fontina: This creamy, semi-soft cheese pairs harmoniously with sage’s herbal nuances. 

Wine Pairings:

• Chianti: Complements the honey’s herbal undertones.
• Barbera: Its fruity acidity enhances sage honey’s delicate flavor.
• Pinot Noir: Light-bodied and versatile, it doesn’t overpower the honey.

6. Buckwheat Honey

Flavor Profile: Bold, malty, and slightly bitter with molasses-like depth.

Cheese Pairings:

• Aged Parmesan: The salty, umami-rich profile balances the honey’s boldness.
• Roquefort: A strong blue cheese that matches the honey’s intensity.
• Smoked Gouda: The smoky, rich flavor complements buckwheat honey’s robustness.

Wine Pairings:

• Port: A sweet, fortified wine that balances the honey’s malty bitterness.
• Zinfandel: Its jammy fruitiness contrasts with buckwheat’s bold flavour.
• Syrah/Shiraz: Peppery and full-bodied, it pairs well with the honey’s depth.

Tips for Serving:

Use a neutral cracker or slice of baguette to avoid competing flavours.

Present honeys in small dishes with individual spoons to maintain purity.

Serve wines slightly chilled (for whites and rosés) or at cellar temperature (for reds) to optimise flavour.

COMPETITION: From Hive to Board

This Christmas, we’ve teamed up with LSA to bring you the festive cheeseboard pairing.

From soft cheeses drizzled with Acacia honey to bold blues paired with Buckwheat honey, all dressed on an elegant serveware, we’ve crafted the ultimate guide to holiday indulgence.

Move over chutney! Discover the magic of monofloral honey and create your masterpiece. Follow our instagram page and share your Christmas Day festive creations using DEUKES honey and tag #FromHiveToBoard for a chance to win a cheeseboard set worth £200 to include - artisanal monofloral honey, a set of 4 cheeses to pair, and a stunning wooden cheeseboard with a dome from LSA.

T&Cs - One winner will be chosen at random and notified by DM on the 27th of December 2024. No cash prize alternative will be offered. All entries must be 18+. UK entries only.