Sage Derby is a variety of British Derby cheese infused with sage to produce a glorious green marbling effect and subtle herb flavor. Hard to find these days, it is England’s oldest and most famous cheeses originally made only for special occasions such as Harvest and Christmas. To make this cheese, freshly milled, salted Derby curd and sprinkles of fresh sage are arranged in layers and left to mature for six months. Some dairies blend dried sage with matured, chopped Derby and then repress it again.
A semi-hard, delicate cheese, it has a mild sage flavor and is well known for its versatility. It has a natural rind, which is often dusted with sage. Due to the bright markings, it looks very striking on a cheeseboard. Moreover, it has smooth melting characteristics that pair with everything from fresh fruits, vegetables to poultry dishes. Try Fetzer Chardonnay and Sage Derby to make the perfect pair.