Went last night to a cheese and wine tasting at our independent wine merchant Vin Neuf with cheeses from Paxton and Whitfield.
Together they matched the most wonderful wines and cheeses.Michael and James from both establishments guided us through the evening.
We are privileged in Stratford upon Avon to have a branch of Paxton and Whitfield here as they only have three shops one in London ,Bath and our shop.You can also buy their cheeses online.Below is a history of their shop started in 1742.
We had the most local cheese to start called St Wulfstan organic and tastyAll this cheese makers cheeses are named after Saints I like very much their St Aulberg cheese which is a soft subtly falvoured cheese with nutty tones.
We paired the above with a Cos de Nouys Vouvray Sec 2010 with a smooth honey, pear note.
We had then a cheese called Aldwych which is a soft English Goats Cheese.
Pont L'Eveque is a cheese made since the 12th Century in France !Never aggressively strong.
A brilliant cheese was a Ossau Iraty French good with cherries and has a fruity raspberry flavour just fabulous.
Paired with Morey Vincent Santenay Les Hates 2008 was a marriage made in heaven!
A UK cheese was Lincolnshire Poacher lovely like a strong cheddar but not at all aggressive and so so smooth.
Paired with for the end of a meal a Campbells Rutherglen Muscat was like a tawny Port .
A wonderful evening and I now have some more knowledge as to what to buy in both these shops that are like a wondrous feast.
A potted history of Paxton and Whitfield
Paxton & Whitfield was first recorded as a partnership in 1797, but its origins began in 1742 when Stephen Cullum set up a cheese stall in Aldwych market. As London became increasingly affluent Sam Cullum (Stephen's son) moved his cheese business closer to his wealthy customer base, near to Jermyn Street where there is still a shop today. He also took on two new partners - Harry Paxton and Charles Whitfield. Ironically it is their names, not his, which grace the shop fronts now. The Company's reputation grew steadily, culminating in 1850 with the honour of being appointed cheesemonger to HM Queen Victoria. It was the first of many Royal Warrants that the Company has held.
While the earlier years were good for Paxton & Whitfield, times were tougher from the 1860s. Smart society's appetite for traditional English farmhouse cheese was fading in favour of Continental cheese and, in England, factory style production was becoming the established practice. Many artisan cheeses totally disappeared as small farmers sent their milk to industrial creameries. This trend continued throughout the two World Wars and, in the 1940s, with eggs, butter and cheese in short supply 93 Jermyn Street became an ordinary grocery shop.
After World War II and a series of different owners, business improved as Paxtons rekindled their contacts with the traditional cheesemakers of rural Britain and started bringing in the best that Europe could offer. Two new Paxtons opened, in Stratford upon Avon and Bath not to mention their virtual shop on the web. Customers who value quality know they will always be able to find it at Paxtons. As Winston Churchill once observed "a gentleman only buys his cheese at Paxton & Whitfield".
In Paxton's third century of trading we hope you will allow us to help you enjoy the fascinating and diverse world of cheese too.
In Paxton's third century of trading we hope you will allow us to help you enjoy the fascinating and diverse world of cheese too.
