GOODWOOD – A LOCAL CHEESEBOARD WORTH TASTING

The Goodwood Estate near Chichester in West Sussex is not just about fast cars and horseracing. At the heart of the 12,000 acre Estate is Goodwood Home Farm, one of the largest lowland organic farms in the UK.

The Estate is proud of its organic credentials, and its herd of 200 Dairy Shorthorns was one of the first in the UK to be totally organically fed. Dairy Shorthorn is a breed which originated in the 16th century and its deliciously rich, non-homogenised milk tastes just like it used to.

Some of the milk produced on Home Farm is used to make a range of traditional handmade cheeses – Molecomb Blue, Charlton and Levin Down – all created in Goodwood’s own cheese room, under the guidance of expert artisan cheesemaker, Bruce Rowan. Bruce is passionate about cheese; and his skill is already reaping rewards, including a Gold Star in the 2013 British Great Taste Awards for Goodwood’s Molecomb Blue, the latest addition to Goodwood’s cheeseboard. Named after Molecomb House the current residence of the Duke of Richmond, the irresistible blue veined cheese is rich, creamy and piquant, with an attractive smoky grey crust.

While Charlton – so called because the village of Charlton is situated within the Goodwood Estate – is a smooth, firm textured farmhouse cheese with long, rich flavours and a tangy finish. It is a hard, cloth-bound cheese matured to provide an intense farmhouse flavour. Excellent on a cheeseboard, Charlton’s also great in cooking.

Finally, Levin Down, named after the natural escarpment within the Sussex Downs, is a buttery, mould ripened soft white cheese. Again, a cheeseboard stalwart, but also delicious served on its own with bread or oven baked.

The cheeses are all available to buy direct from the Goodwood Home Farm and also feature on the menus in Goodwood’s restaurants and eating places. At the Richmond Arms Hotel, Chef Simon Wills’ signature dish is the Goodwood Cheese Soufflé served with apple, dandelion, caramelised walnuts. It’s light, airy and demonstrates perfectly Charlton’s beautiful flavours.

For more information on Goodwood cheese visit www.goodwood.com