Tag Archives: california cheese
Isigny Ste-Mère
Abbaye Ste-Mère St- Paulin
September Cheese Club: Iowa
Fiscalini Farmstead
San Joaquin Gold
Modesto, California
The San Joaquin Gold is a handcrafted Parmesan-style cheese made with raw cow’s milk on Fiscalini’s sustainable farm. Named after the valley where it is made, this is an original cheese recipe created by and made only at Fiscalini Farmstead. It is an Italian-style cheese with a natural thin rind and a buttery color. It is mildly sweet and mellow when young, but develops into a darker golden hue and deeper, nuttier flavor as it ages. The San Joaquin Gold is made into 30-pound wheels and aged for a minimum of 12 months.
FOOD PAIRING: Try Fiscalini Farmstead’s Roasted Potatoes with San Joaquin Gold cheese. Get the recipe here >
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: The San Joaquin Gold pairs well with our three ‘September Wine Club’ Wines – Rocklin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Craftwork Old Vine Zinfandel, or the Craftwork Sauvignon Blanc. For beer, reach for a Cider, Pilsner or a Lager.
WINESTYLES: Crisp, Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean
Fiscalini Farmstead
Old World Aged Cheddar
Modesto, California
The Old World Aged Cheddar is a handcrafted English Style Clothbound Cheese made with raw cow’s milk on Fiscalini’s sustainable farm. Straw colored with a nutty, slightly smoky, earthy finish, this remains the farmstead’s most popular and highly awarded cheese. It is firm, yet crumbly with a robust and buttery taste. The wheels are wrapped in a cheesecloth during their 14-month aging process; this protects the outermost layer while allowing the rest of the cheese to breathe and develop internally. This hard cheese is produced into 60-pound wheels.
FOOD PAIRING: Elevate your Avocado Toast with Fiscalini Farmstead’s Old World Aged Cheddar. Try this recipe >
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Pair the Old World Aged Cheddar with any of our ‘September Wine Club’ Wines – Rocklin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Craftwork Old Vine Zinfandel, or the Craftwork Sauvignon Blanc. For beer, also look for a Cider, Pilsner or a Lager.
WINESTYLES: Crisp, Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean
ABOUT FISCALINI FARMSTEAD:
The Fiscalini Farmstead was established in Modesto, California in 1914 by John Baptiste Fiscalini, son of a Swiss immigrant, Mateo Fiscalini. Over the past 100 years, the farmstead has been passed down from generation to generation and has expanded to now include a cheesemaking facility on their premises. The family continues a way of life that respects, preserves and honors the animals, land and its resources. Learn more about their Farmstead here.
Don’t let your Wine Club go home alone!
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 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 cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
August Cheese Club: Iowa
Olli Salumeria
Calabrese
Oceanside, California
A spicy salami that gets its kick from cayenne pepper and paprika. It is zesty, yet not overpowering.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Red Zinfandels make the perfect accompaniment to this salami. For craft beer, reach for a Belgian-style Golden Ale or a hoppy IPA to balance the spice of the salami.
WINESTYLES: Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean; or Hoppy & Bitter
ABOUT OLLI SALUMERIA:
Owner, Oliviero (or Olli) grew up in a family of salumi makers. In 1850, his great grandfather was already making salami in Norcia, Italy. By 1900, his family moved to Rome, opening many salumi stores throughout a larger market. By 1950, his grandfather started a manufacturing business, that had later grown to be the most successful salumi business in Rome. Born in Rome in 1978, Oliviero spent many years learning from his grandfather. By 2010, he moved to the United States to start his own company, Olli Salumeria, using the traditional techniques learned from his family. Learn more about their story here >
Cypress Grove
Humboldt Fog
Arcata, California
The Original American Original® was conceived in a dream, states founder Mary Keehn. Her creation opened the door for soft-ripened goat cheese in America. Each handcrafted wheel features a distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash. On the palate, there are flavors of buttermilk and fresh cream, complemented with floral notes, herbaceous overtones, and a clean citrus finish. As Humboldt Fog matures, the cream-line develops and the flavor intensifies.
FOOD PAIRING: Drizzle it with honey and serve with prosciutto, tart apple and Marcona almonds; or crumble it over a salad for a delicious treat. Try this recipe >
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING:
Young Humboldt: Demi-sec sparkling or Sauvignon Blanc wines. IPA, Porter or Wheat craft beer.
Ripe Humboldt Fog: Pinot Grigio, Rosé, Sweet Sherry, Vouray wines or enjoy with a Pale Ale craft beer.
Mature Humboldt Fog: Pinot Noir or Zinfandel wines or IPA or Stout craft beer.
WINESTYLES: Crisp, Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean or Malty and Sweet
ABOUT CYPRESS GROVE: Cypress Grove is located on the rural north coast of California. Cypress Grove founder, Mary Keehn, had a dream of a soft-ripened goat cheese that later became an award-winning, recognized cheese; this creation fueled the growth to one of the most popular creameries in the country. Learn more about her story >
Don’t let your Wine Club go home alone!
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 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 cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely! Click to learn more >
May Cheese Club: Iowa
Benning®
Mild Goats Milk Gouda
Holland
Benning® Mild Goats Milk Gouda is a semi-firm, pure white, versatile cheese that is fresh and mild in taste. It is made from light goats’ milk that is then formed into classic gouda-style wheels and aged to create a smooth and creamy textured cheese. This cheese is great for the pickiest of eaters. It is mildly tangy and slightly sweet with hints of caramel.
FOOD PAIRING: This cheese melts beautifully; eat as is, or slice/grate onto your favorite sandwich or pizza.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: The Benning® Mild Milk Gouda pairs well with dark and malty beers such as a malty Amber Ale. It also pairs nicely with a buttery Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or our May Wine Club Chenin Blanc.
WINESTYLES: Silky
BEERSTYLES: Dark & Roasty or Malty & Sweet
© Photo from Murray’s Cheese
Cypress Grove®
Midnight Moon®
Holland
This aged goat milk cheese is made exclusively for Cypress Grove® in Holland. Aged for at least six-months, Midnight Moon® is an ivory-colored goat cheese with forward nutty and brown-buttery flavors, finish with long caramel notes. Similar to classic goudas, Midnight Moon® forms protein crystals as it ages, and lends to a slight crunch to the otherwise dense and smooth cheese. This goat cheese is known to convert even the pickiest of goat cheese critics!
AWARDS:
- Best of Class, World Championship Cheese Contest 2010, 2020
- Super Gold, World Cheese Awards 2015, 2018
- Gold, World Cheese Awards 2014
- Best New Product in Show, sofi Awards 2002
- Silver, World Cheese Awards 2017
- Silver Finalist, sofi Awards 2003
- Third Place, World Championship Cheese Contest 2014
- Bronze, World Cheese Awards 2016
- Bronze, sofi Awards 2017
FOOD PAIRING: Serve with fig jams, seeded crackers, or bread
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: For wine, pair with Ice Wine, Sweet Sherry, Syrah or Zinfandel. As for beer, look for a Belgian Dark, Stout, or a Tripel.
WINESTYLES: Fruity or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Dark & Roasty, or Fruity & Spicy
ABOUT CYPRESS GROVE®, ARCATA, CALIFORNIA:
In the 1970’s, when pre-packed TV dinners and processed, rubber cheese were popular, a self-proclaimed “serious hippie” named Mary Keehn was on the hunt for something different. A mother a four, she wanted to find healthier milk for her children. Mary noticed her neighbor owned goats for brush control and asked if she could purchase two, at which the neighbor replied, “if you can catch ’em, you can have ’em”. Each day, Mary went out with grain until eventually she lured in her first two goats: Esmeralda and Hazel. These goats turned into four, and many more from there. With a lot of goats, came a lot of milk, and thus, Cypress Grove® was born! Learn more about their story here.
© Photo by Cypress Moon
Don’t let your Wine Club go home alone!
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 >
WineStyles Tasting Station 