Double Gloucester with Onion & Chives (Lidl Valley Spire)
Flavoured cheeses are divisive. We have found this to be true over years of cheese nights. Some, like Chilli-flavoured cheeses, have caused arguments over the years and remain the only cheeses to score both 0 and 10 in the same night. Others are less offensive but still seem to be “each to their own”. It is with that in mind that I tread delicately in to this review.
I should like to say before we proceed that I will try anything. After all, someone more knowledgeable than I made the decision to make these cheeses so who am I to argue? In the case of the above cheese, I have enjoyed the combination of onion and chive in the past. The Lidl offering comes in a nice little wax wheel. There are 5 different options available with 4 being flavoured (Double Gloucester With Onion and Chives, White Stilton With Apricots, Wensleydale With Cranberries, Cheddar With Caramelised Onion). At just 89p for a 100g wheel it would make a nice little gift set for your cheese loving friend (depending on your views on flavoured cheese)
Before you jump in the car and speed to your local Lidl, a few thoughts to consider. An attractive presentation certainly gives the eye something to digest but the real proof is in the eating. Once to cut away the wax, you reveal the golden contents within. There is a good amount of visible chive in the cheese and the smell is encouraging. I confess that, like the Gruyere from last week, I was a little underwhelmed with the flavour. I have certainly tasting similar cheeses which have provided more of a taste sensation. It’s worth mentioning that the Double Gloucester in this offering is not claiming to be a mature cheese. However, you would have thought that this would leave room for the onion and chive flavours to really shine. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a solid cheese and the flavours are unmistakable. Sliced thick and added to the biscuit of your choice and you certainly will know what you are eating. My personal preference would be a bit more flavourful. The texture has a nice crumble to it and there is no sense of bittiness
All things considered, its probably fair to say that it is good solid cheese which would make a nice addition to a Christmas cheeseboard. It is also worth mentioning that the rest of family rated it 8,9 and 10 so it certainly has appeal! With that in mind, coupled with the excellent price, I would award it with a solid rating.
RATING – 7.0
MY RECOMMENDATION – Slice thickly on a biscuit and maybe consider pairing it with a nice caramelised onion chutney
Consummate copious consumer of cheese. Lover of a good strong cheddar!