While you explore the Cider Houses, Brew Pubs and Wineries producing exceptional ciders of the Niagara Region, consider a stop at Upper Canada Cheese.
While you explore the Cider Houses, Brew Pubs and Wineries producing exceptional ciders of the Niagara Region, consider a stop at Upper Canada Cheese.
Each day, fresh, pure A2 Guernsey cows’ milk and goats’ milk is transformed into cheeses of unique taste and texture, revealing a subtle range of flavours influenced by the seasons, forage and feed. Then, our cheeses are ideally aged in our own cellars until they are ready for retail. This is the whole food, farm-to-table idea: a minimum of food processing intervention to produce the purest cheeses possible.
We recently visited Upper Canada Cheese and enjoyed an impromptu cider and cheese tasting with cheese maker Clyde Pereira and his team. Try some of these fantastic pairings or try some of your own. No matter what you choose pairing Ontario ciders with Ontario cheese is a winning combination.
Host an Ontario Craft Cider and local Cheese Tasting
Just like wine, cider comes in a wide range of styles, each influenced by apple varieties, terroir, fermentation methods, barrel ageing and individual cider makers. Share your exploration of Ontario Craft Cider by hosting a cheese and cider tasting.
Make it extra special by providing goblets or tulip-shaped glasses to enhance the aromas of the ciders and be sure to serve them at the right temperature, typically 50-55 degrees F.
Try these combinations:
Traditional Dry Cider – Crisp and often tart, often tannic with refreshing, clean finish.
Pair with smoked gouda, smooth and creamy with sharpness to the finish.
Our suggestion: Ironwood Classic Dry Cider with UCC Jordan Station
Semi-Dry Cider — A balanced, mouthwatering cider, with a touch of acidity.
Pair with Aged cheddar with buttery and earth flavours and a little nippiness.
Our suggestion: Spy Cider & Distillery Never Say Never with UCC Heritage Cheddar
Heritage Cider — made from heirloom cider-specific apples for unique varietal characteristics.
Pair with fresh cheese curds made from young cheddar.
Our suggestion: West Avenue Heritage Dry with UCC Niagara Gold
Dry or Sour Cider with added fruit such as sour cherry.
Pair with camembert-style with thin bloomy rind, silky golden and buttery in texture.
Our suggestion: Loch Mor Sour Cherry with UCC Comfort Cream
Dry Cider with Niagara Peaches
Pair with washed-rind goat cheese with grassy notes.
Our suggestion: Shale Ridge Peach Apple with UCC Nosey Goat
Semi-sweet cider flavoured with berries or orchard fruit.
Pair with semi soft rind cheese containing a slight salty tang and creamy sweetness.
Our suggestion: Heeman’s Berry Blush with UCC Comfort Cream
