Category Archives: Cheese Club
Jean Perrin
Morbier AOP
Onetik
Ossau-Iraty AOC
Pyrenees, France
July Cheese Club: Iowa
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
Toma
Point Reyes Station, California
In Italian, Toma means “wheel of cheese made by the farmer herself.” What better way to describe this, Point Reyes’s most versatile, any time, any table cheese. It’s an all natural, pasteurized, semi-hard cheese that is creamy in texture with a waxed rind. It is creamy and buttery in flavor and has a grassy, tang finish.
USE & PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
The perfect any time snacking cheese, Toma is excellent for melting into pasta or risotto or in grilled cheese sandwiches. Grate on top of grilled vegetables, burgers or soups. Pair with sweet (peaches, fruit compotes), savory (toasted nuts, sautéed greens) and serve with hop-heavy beers, Pinot Noir or barrel-aged scotch. Toma loves an Old Fashioned cocktail or a Mai Tai!
WINESTYLES: Bold or Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Hoppy
FACTS:
- Made from pasteurized, rBST-free cows’ milk
- Made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet
- Aged for 90 days
- Gluten Free
- 2024 CA State Fair, Best of California
- 2023 CA State Fair, Gold Medal
- 2023 US Championship Cheese, 3rd Place
- 2022 World Cheese Awards – Silver
- 2022 CA State Fair, Best of California
- 2020 Good Food Awards – Best Cheese
- See all other awards here
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.
TomaTruffle
Point Reyes Station, California
TomaTruffle is the perfect combination of classic Toma paired with the aromatic flavors of Italian Black Truffles from Umbria. Reminiscent of undergrowth, fresh strawberries, dried fruit and a hint of cocoa, the earthy flavor marries beautifully with the buttery richness of Toma. This semi-hard cheese is creamy in texture with a waxed rind. The distinct, aromatic flavor or truffles combines with Toma’s signature flavor for an earthy, buttery delight. TomaTruffle is the perfect decadent cheese for any celebration!
USE & PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Great as a snacking cheese or perfect for melting on eggs, sprinkled on warm potato chips or just enjoyed on its own with a glass of dry sparkling wine.!
WINESTYLES: Rich or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Crisp & Clean
FACTS:
- Made from pasteurized, rBST-free cows’ milk
- Made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet
- Aged for 90 days
- Gluten Free
- 2024 Good Food Awards
- 2024 CA State Fair, Gold
- 2023 International Cheese and Dairy Awards, Silver
- 2022 CA State Fair, Best of California
- 2022 World Cheese Awards – Silver
- 2022 World Champion Cheese Contest, Best of Class/Top 20 Cheeses
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
June Cheese Club: Iowa
Artequeso
Manchego Artesano D.O.P.
Semi-Curado
La Mancha, Spain
Made in the heart of Spain’s La Mancha region, Artequeso’s Manchego cheese is a taste of tradition. Crafted on the La Prudenciana Estate using milk from their herd of 1,000 Manchego sheep, this cheese has arrived to the US with great accolades, it was even featured on Mario Batali’s “Spain…On the Road Again” show. Aged for 4 months, it boasts a mild yet flavorful taste with a soft, stretchy texture.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: As they say, what grows together, goes together! Enjoy this Spanish cheese with any of our June Wine Club wines from Spain. It will also pair nicely with an unoaked Chardonnay. If you prefer red, pair with a good Tempranillo, Malbec or Chianti. For our beer lovers, we have two different recommendations to pair with this delicious cheese: Ciders or Malty beers… choose your own adventure!
WINESTYLES: Rich, Bold or Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Sour, Tart & Funky or Malty & Sweet
PRODUCTION: This unparalleled raw milk Manchego is exclusively produced using sheep’s milk collected from local herds. Once the milk is collected, Artequeso Manchego cheese is produced following only the strictest of artisan traditions, during which cheesemaker Alfonso Alvarez and his staff keep absolute control over each step of the cheesemaking process; this includes curd cutting, whey drainage, salting, and finally drying. Once the process is complete, each wheel is carefully tended to during the affinage process, with particular attention to controlled temperature and humidity levels.
ABOUT ARTEQUESO:
Artequeso is a family-run business dedicated to producing high-quality cheese in La Mancha, Spain. Utilizing traditional methods and the finest Manchega sheep’s milk, they have crafted a reputation for excellence. Their products reflect a commitment to authenticity, heritage, and environmental sustainability, embodying the rich culinary tradition of the region. Artequeso’s cheeses are celebrated for their distinct flavors and textures, achieved through meticulous care in every step of the cheesemaking process. For more details, click here.
Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co. and Artequeso- All Rights Reserved.
Hook’s Cheese Company Inc.
Five-Year Aged Cheddar
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Made with pasteurized cow’s milk, featuring a vegetarian rennet, Hook’s Five-Year Aged Cheddar Cheese is a customer favorite. It is sharp, acidic, and a perfect accompaniment to any cheese board. It is made in five-pound blocks, which allows the cheese to develop rich, complex flavors over time. In some years, delicate proteins form crunchy pockets of caramelized goodness.
FOOD PAIRING: Make a yummy cheese and charcuterie board with dried fruits, bitter chocolate, quince paste, olives, pate, cornichon pickles, grained mustard, peppadew peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, assorted salami, and prosciutto.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing this cheese with white wines, reach for a Riesling, Chardonnay or anything with bubbles. For a red wine, grab a Syrah or Pinot Noir. For our beer lovers out there, enjoy with a Saison, Cider or Belgian Ale; and if you want to get really fancy with it, pair this cheese with your favorite Bourbon!
WINESTYLES: Rich or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Crisp & Clean
© Photo by Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
May Cheese Club: Iowa
Le Superbe
Jura Montagne
Switzerland
Although many mountain cheeses have a similar basic nuttiness, they all have amazing subtleties of flavor and texture. Jura Montagne has a profoundly beefy, and savory smell with hints of toasted bread and grass. Jura Montagne is a small wheel in comparison to many mountain cheeses. The wheel has a natural rind that is formed from salting, turning and then brining the outside during affinage which gives the wheel its piquant finish.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Enjoy with Rich style white wines, or pair with a craft beer Ale.
WINESTYLES: Rich
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean
Information and photo © Zuercher & Co. and Le Superbe – All Rights Reserved.
Fior delle Alpi
(Flower of the Alps
Switzerland
Fior delle Alpi or Flower of the Alps, is a deliciously flavorful raw cow’s milk cheese from the mountains of Switzerland. Made with milk from cows who graze on lush mountain grass and meadow herbs results in a fruity and gently spiced cheese with a subtle crunch. Fior delle Alpi, is matured for up to 12 months and has a rich oniony flavor, very savory, like a brothy stew.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Enjoy with lighter white and red wines or Pilsner craft beer.
WINESTYLES: Crisp & Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean
Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
April Cheese Club: Iowa
Mitica®
Pecorino Toscano D.O.P.
Semi-hard Sheep Milk
Tuscany, Italy
Pecorino Toscano is an origin-protected cheese that is made from the milk of sheep that graze a diverse terrain, allowing them to produce a thick, rich milk. Though not as salty and sharp as Pecorino Romano, it is aged to the point at which its creamy flavor and smooth consistency give way to a sharper, more complex mix of flavor and a denser texture (aged minimum of 6 months). Delicious with a variety of Tuscan recipes, especially when grated on most pasta dishes and risottos. Also delicious to grate a few shavings on soups and fresh salads. Most importantly, it pairs beautifully with Mitica’s Honeycomb selection (see below).
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
What grows together, goes together! For wine, pair with any of our 2024 April Wine Club Selections. For beer, grab a Pale Ale to cleanse your palate or a Saison – with fruity & spicy notes – to complement the subtle sheep’s milk flavors without overwhelming them.
WINESTYLES: Bold, Silky & Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy
Information and photo © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.
Mitica®
Pure Natural Honeycomb
Italy
Brothers Fabrizio and Pierpaola have been tending bees and collecting honey for over 20 years. They designed innovative, rectangular forms to fit within the hive, into which the bees build the honeycomb directly. It is a wonderful way to experience this light and floral honey in its pure form, without any processing.
HOW TO EAT HONEYCOMB:
Enjoying honeycomb is an adventure in texture and taste, offering a pure, unprocessed glimpse into the wonders of nature’s sweetness. Both the honey and the wax of the honeycomb are entirely edible, in fact, the wax is packed with a ton of beneficial nutrients. To begin, cut a small piece from the comb—about the size of a teaspoon is perfect for starters. You can eat it directly, chew it like gum to savor the sweet honey, and then swallow the wax or discreetly discard it if you prefer. Honeycomb pairs excellently with a variety of foods; try spreading it over warm toast, allowing the honey to melt for a rich, indulgent treat, or pair it with cheese, such this month’s Pecorino Toscano Cheese Club selection (above).
Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co., Forever Cheese, Gees Bees & Asheville Bee Charmer – All Rights Reserved.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
March Cheese Club: Iowa City / Cedar Rapids
Barber’s Farmhouse
1833 Vintage Reserve Cheddar
England
With a creamy texture and smooth finish, 1833 contains naturally-occurring crystals that give it a distinctive crunch. Refined sweet notes balance out its tangy sharpness.
Barber’s 1833 is made using traditional starter cultures and the finest West Country milk. Aged for at least 24 months, only when one of the Barber family judges it to be outstanding does it leave the farm as 1833. A cheese with unrivaled complexity and depth, savor it as part of a cheeseboard with apples, pickled walnuts and a tankard of Somerset cider.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon makes an excellent companion to this aged cheddar, reach for one of our March Wine Club Wines. For beer, grab an English cider.
WINESTYLES: Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy
ABOUT BARBER’S FARMHOUSE:
The Barber Family started making cheese on their Somerset Farm in 1833 and are now the oldest surviving cheddar-makers in the world. They are proud to work with more than 100 local farming families who supply them with quality milk to make their award-winning cheddar. Learn more here.
Information and photo © Barber’s Farmhouse – All Rights Reserved.
Casa Forcello
White Watermelon Mostarda
Lombardia, Italy
Hand-cut pieces of candied white watermelon come alive with a hint of potent mustard extract. Mostarda is a traditional condiment that balances sweetness and heat. Unlike many whole mustard fruits on the market, these are extraordinarily fresh, flavorful and chunky.
ABOUT CASA FORCELLO:
Casa Forcello® mostarda is handmade in Mantova, Italy, in the heart of the northern region of Lombardia. Former pharmacist, Paola Calciolari, followed her true calling in creating her line of mostardas using local flavors and recipes handed down by her grandmother. She makes her exceptional mostardas by sourcing locally harvested fruit, slicing and candying them in their juices, and then adding drops of a very concentrated, spicy mustard extract; it is a highly labor intensive process. They are a delightful pairing with cheese, charcuterie, or roasted meats.
Information and Photo © Casa Forcello/Forever Cheese & Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
March Cheese Club: Des Moines Area
Barber’s Farmhouse
1833 Vintage Reserve Cheddar
England
With a creamy texture and smooth finish, 1833 contains naturally-occurring crystals that give it a distinctive crunch. Refined sweet notes balance out its tangy sharpness.
Barber’s 1833 is made using traditional starter cultures and the finest West Country milk. Aged for at least 24 months, only when one of the Barber family judges it to be outstanding does it leave the farm as 1833. A cheese with unrivaled complexity and depth, savor it as part of a cheeseboard with apples, pickled walnuts and a tankard of Somerset cider.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon makes an excellent companion to this aged cheddar, reach for one of our March Wine Club Wines. For beer, grab an English cider.
WINESTYLES: Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy
ABOUT BARBER’S FARMHOUSE:
The Barber Family started making cheese on their Somerset Farm in 1833 and are now the oldest surviving cheddar-makers in the world. They are proud to work with more than 100 local farming families who supply them with quality milk to make their award-winning cheddar. Learn more here.
Information and photo © Barber’s Farmhouse – All Rights Reserved.
Casa Forcello
Pear Mostarda
Lombardia, Italy
Hand-cut pieces of candied pears come alive with a hint of potent mustard extract. Mostarda is a traditional condiment that balances sweetness and heat. Unlike many whole mustard fruits on the market, these are extraordinarily fresh, flavorful and chunky.
ABOUT CASA FORCELLO:
Casa Forcello® mostarda is handmade in Mantova, Italy, in the heart of the northern region of Lombardia. Former pharmacist, Paola Calciolari, followed her true calling in creating her line of mostardas using local flavors and recipes handed down by her grandmother. She makes her exceptional mostardas by sourcing locally harvested fruit, slicing and candying them in their juices, and then adding drops of a very concentrated, spicy mustard extract; it is a highly labor intensive process. They are a delightful pairing with cheese, charcuterie, or roasted meats.
Information and Photo © Casa Forcello/Forever Cheese & Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.
Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!
If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club! Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
February Cheese Club: Iowa
Central Coast Creamery
Seascape
Semi-firm Cheese
Paso Robles, California
This cheddar-like Cow and Goat milk blend has a velvety paste that will have you coming back for more! The Seascape name is inspired by a luxury resort in the Central Coast town of Aptos. The browned-butter notes of the cow milk meet in perfect harmony with the tangy and fruity goat’s milk to warm you up from the inside like grandma’s baked goods. It has aromas of warm, baked bread with a sweet and salty taste. Its texture is meltable, malleable, slightly elastic and semi-firm.
AWARDS:
- 2015 – United States Cheese Championship – 3rd Place Award
- 2014 – American Cheese Society (ACS) – 3rd Place Award
- 2013 – American Cheese Society (ACS) – Best of Class
- 2012 – World Cheese Contest – Best of Class
- 2010 – American Cheese Society (ACS) – 2nd Place Award
Belletoile
Triple Créme Brie
Lorraine Valley, France
Castellano
Cecilia de Castilla
WineStyles Tasting Station 