Tag Archives: Cheese Club Selection

April Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese Clubmontgomery cheddarNeal’s Yard Dairy
Montgomery Cheddar
Somerset, England

Montgomery Cheddar is rich and nutty, reminiscent of brown butter. Its caramelized flavor is described as being similar to the enzymatic browning one finds on roasted meat. It is all softened by a fruity apple-like sweetness. More mature wheels display delightfully crunchy, crystalized bits of tyrosine and a more pronounced sweetness.

Montgomery Cheddar cheese has been made by Jamie Montgomery’s family for over 70 years. Although the term “cheddar” was never protected by his ancestors, a PDO has been established under the name, “West Country Farmhouse” to protect the tradition and a select number of other cheddars in Southwest England. Additionally, Slow Food has partnered with Montgomery, George Keen (Keen’s), and Richard Calver (Westcombe) through the Cheddar Presidium to further preserve this tradition.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
For wine, pair with a New World oaky Chardonnay, a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon (watch the tannins, though), or a tawny port. For beer, try with a dry English cider, hoppy IPA or Malty Belgians.

WINESTYLES: Crisp or Fruity wines
BEERSTYLES: Fruity, Hoppy or Malty beers

Information © Zuercher Cheese. – All Rights Reserved.

Ploughmans-Choice-cheese- blogClawson
Ploughman’s Choice
Great Britain

English Red Leicester is blended with caramelized onions that have been cooked in balsamic vinegar to make Ploughman’s Choice. The result is a sweet, creamy cheese with just a hint of onions and balsamic.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
For wine, try this cheese with a medium-bodied white wine such as a dry Chenin Blanc or a Sauvignon Blanc, or a light red such as a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais. For beer, this cheese will pair beautifully with an Amber or Brown Ale.

WINESTYLES: Crisp or Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Dark & Roasty beers

Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!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

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Cheese ClubArtikaas_VintageLot-18-485x485Artikaas 18 Month Aged Gouda Netherlands

Complex flavors develop slowly as it matures for a year and a half in a state-of-the-art aging facility. A firm texture with some salt crystallization, a deep ochre interior, notes of toasted walnuts, and a brown-butter finish equal perfection!  Aged: 18 Months Milk: Cows Pasteurization: Pasteurized WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair with Pomar Junction Reserve Pinot Noir; its elegant structure and red berry notes provide just enough acidity and contrast for the cheese’s aged nuttiness. If you prefer white, a lighter-white wine such as Pinot Grigio, Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. For craft beer, go with a dry cider, which cuts through the richness while highlighting the cheese’s caramel notes, or an amber ale, whose balanced malt sweetness pairs naturally with the aged Gouda’s butterscotch flavors. WINESTYLES: Crisp or Mellow wines BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy beers Information © Zuercher Cheese. – All Rights Reserved.

Black-BettyL’Amuse Brabander Reserve (Black Betty) Gouda Goat Cheese Netherlands

This may be our favorite cheese ever (secret’s out). A mature Gouda from the North Brabant region of the Netherlands, imported by Essex St. Cheese Co. Affineur Betty Koster chooses wheels of Saanen goats’ milk Brabander, normally aged 6-8 months, which she feels are capable of further aging. The Reserve Brabander’s texture is firmer and drier than a typical Brabander, with flavors reflecting brown butter, salted caramel, and pineapple. Aged: 16 Months Milk: Goat Pasteurization: Pasteurized WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair with Pomar Junction Roussanne; its smooth texture and subtle floral and stone fruit notes enhance the cheese’s creamy, nutty flavors without overpowering them. If you prefer red, Pomar Junction Reserve Pinot Noir is a great match—its bright acidity and red fruit contrast the cheese’s richness. For craft beer, try a Belgian Tripel, whose fruity esters and effervescence balance the cheese’s creamy texture, or a Pale Ale, which mirrors its caramelized nuttiness. WINESTYLES: Crisp or Mellow BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy beers Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!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

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Cheese Clubheart-Hoch-Ybrig-CheeseHoch Ybrig Alpine Cheese Cow’s Milk Switzerland

Hoch Ybrig is like Gruyère’s little brother—crafted with a similar recipe but in a smaller, more manageable wheel. Named after the towering Swiss ski slopes, this Alpine cheese packs bold, savory onion notes alongside a surprisingly fruity finish, thanks to regular washes in a cider-infused brine during its 8–10 months of aging. Firm yet creamy, with scattered eyes—or holes—and a delicate crystalline crunch, it’s a true reflection of its mountain origins. The Hoch Ybrig recipe was crafted by Swiss affineur Rolf Beeler and in collaboration with cheesemaker Josef Werder. Melt it into fondue, or pair it with Northwoods Apiaries Buckwheat Honey to highlight its subtle sweetness.  Aged: 8 – 10 months Milk: Cow’s milk, unpasteurized Rind: Not edible Region: Switzerland WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, reach for a Riesling with bright acidity and a touch of sweetness to balance the cheese’s savory depth. Or, try with a Chardonnay to compliment its nutty complexity. For beer, try with a Belgian Dubbel for a richness with a subtle spice. WINESTYLES: Crisp or Rich wines BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy beers Information © Murray’s Cheese. – All Rights Reserved.

hearts-molinari-and-sons-salamiMolinari & Sons Italian Dry Salami San Francisco, California

This dry-cured Italian dry salame from San Francisco-based Molinari is made in the Milanese style. It is a finely minced mixture of 80% pork and 20% beef spiced with pepper and garlic. It’s a classic salami with subtle hints of roasted nuts, medium body, a mix of salt, sweet and butter; overall very well balanced.  WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair this salami with a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Noir. For beer, try with a Wheat Beer or a Pilsner. *BONUS PAIRING* For cheese, try this with a Cheddar, a Comte, or our cheese selection of the month – Hoch Ybrig Alpine cheese. Also great in sandwiches, salads, pastas, and antipasti dishes.  WINESTYLES: Crisp or Mellow BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean About Molinari & Sons: Founded in 1896, Molinari & Sons has carried on the traditional Italian art of sausage-making in the cool climate of San Francisco. As a family-owned company with over a century of tradition, Molinari is renowned for its dedication to quality, using time-honored recipes and the finest ingredients to produce rich, flavorful salumi. From classic dry-cured salami to specialty artisan varieties, each product reflects a commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity. Whether enjoyed on its own, paired with cheese and wine, or incorporated into recipes, Molinari salami delivers a true taste of Italian heritage. Learn more here. Information © Zuercher & Co. & Molinari & Sons Salame – All Rights Reserved.

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!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 >