Tag Archives: Crisp and Clean

March Cheese Club: Iowa City / Cedar Rapids

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Cheese Clubbarbers-1833-cheddarBarber’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.

white-watermelon-mostardaCasa 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!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

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Cheese Clubbarbers-1833-cheddarBarber’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.

Pear-MostardaCasa 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!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

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Cheese ClubHay-there-walnut-cheeseArtikaas 
Hay There
Raw Milk Gouda with Walnut & Hazelnut
Holland

Artikaas has been a family run cheesemaker in Holland for over six generations. They make Gouda as they always have — meticulously, without shortcuts, with respect for nature, and using only the best milk from family farms. The ‘Hay There’ raw milk Gouda with walnut and hazelnut has the creaminess and earthiness of a traditional, raw milk Gouda with the addictive crunch of the walnuts and hazelnuts. This nut-flecked cheese is beautiful to look at and a real treat for your senses – combining smooth and crunch, with nutty and sweet.

Flavor Profile: Aged for 60 days – creamy, earthy and nutty
Serving Recommendation: Perfect for snacking, on a cheese board, or on a dessert cheese plate

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Pairs well with a fruity red wine or a silky white wine, such as our May Primary White Wine Club wine, Casas del Toqui Barrel Series Semillón. For beer, look for something crisp, such as a Pilsner.

WINESTYLES: Fruity and Silky
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

honey-bee-goat-cheeseHoney Bee
Goat Cheese
Holland

The Honey Bee Goat Milk Gouda is made by drizzling a bit of honey into pure goat milk. This creates a cashew-like, nutty flavor with a hint of caramel and a sweet warmth to lock in those sticky undertones. 

Flavor Profile: Aged for 6 months – slightly sweet, not too strong or salty
Serving Recommendation: Slice, grate or cube. Wonderful in salads or as a snack with fruit.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Serve with a crisp white wine or for beer, grab a crisp and clean pilsner or lager.

WINESTYLES: Crisp
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean

Cheese_springDon’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 >

April Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese Clubmahon-cheeseBonvallis 
Mahón Semi-Cured Cheese
Menora, Spain

Named after the port of Mahón on the Minorca (or Menorca) Island in Spain, this cow’s milk cheese is produced by various small farmers organized in a cooperative. This semi-hard artisan cheese is pale yellow in color and has a nutty and sweet aroma. It is buttery, fruity, sharp and salty in taste. During maturation, the cheese is hand rubbed with butter, paprika and olive oil to give it its traditional orange exterior. The Mahón cheese is sold at different ages ranging from 2 months to 10 months. This cheese was awarded with Bronze and Silver medals at the 2014 and 2011 World Cheese Awards.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Pairs well with this month’s Wine Club wines, or enjoy with a FRUITY Tempranillo or Rioja; or a SILKY Albariño wine. Enjoy with craft beers that are crisp, such as a Pale Ale or a Cider.

WINESTYLES: Fruity or Silky
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

SERVING RECOMMENDATION:
Spaniards call this a table cheese because it is versatile with almost all foods. It can be served alone as an appetizer or dessert, or with fresh fruit and nuts on a cheese board. It also can be melted beautifully to give life to sandwiches or burgers.

idiazabal-cheeseQuorum
Idiazabal Smoked Cheese
Northern Spain

Named after the village of Idiazabal, this Smoked Cheese is a traditional farmhouse hard cheese made from raw sheep’s milk in the Basque and Navarra regions or Northern Spain. In the old days, the Basque shepherds lived in small mountain huts, and could only age their cheeses within their stone chimneys – giving the cheese its traditional smokey flavor. Today, the cheese is produced in more modern ways, however, the process is still all-natural to give the cheese it’s smokiness – usually slowly ripened and naturally smoked with beech or cherry wood. Its compact texture and smokey flavor are reminiscent of burnt caramel and bacon. The cheese has a vibrant bouquet of aromas with rich, buttery flavors on the palate. 

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Serve with any of this month’s wine club wines, or enjoy with a FRUITY Tempranillo or Rioja, or with a SILKY or RICH Chardonnay. For beer, enjoy with a crisp Pale Ale.

WINESTYLES: Fruity, Silky, or Rich
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean

SERVING RECOMMENDATION:
Enjoy with thinly sliced, fresh bread or melt in the oven as a complement for grilled meats, salads or as a key part of an elegant meal.

Cheese_springDon’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 >

March Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubPecorino_Toscano-DOPCaseificio Il Fiorino
Pecorino Toscano DOP
Tuscany, Italy

The Tuscan Pecorino DOP is a cheese that is protected by the Denomination of Origin, which means it is produced according to strict disciplinary rules according to tradition of that geographical location. This fresh cheese has undergone a short seasoning period, making it soft and delicate on the palate. The smell is fairly strong, with notes of buttermilk and fresh hay. On the palate, the consistency is tender and creamy; it is fairly mild, well-rounded and balanced with a hint of tang. Serve with a light salad or with a bit of bread for a delicious lunch.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
This Pecorino pairs well with a mellow Malbec, such as our Premium Club – Materra Cunat Family Vineyards Midnight Red Blend, a Chianti or a Prosecco. For beer, pair with an IPA, a double IPA and a Belgium Tripel.

WINESTYLES: Mellow and Silky
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

ABOUT THE CREAMERY:
The Fiorino family rooted themselves in southern Tuscany in the 1800s. Years later, they dedicated their land to breeding sheep and discovered the rocky ravines and consistent humidity was ideal for aging sheep’s milk for cheese, and thus, started their passion for quality cheese.

Fontina-val-d-aosta-italian-cheeseFontina Val D’Aosta
Semi-soft
Aosta Valley, Italy

Since the 12th century, Fontina Val D’Aosta is a classic Italian cheese that is traditionally made with unpasteurized cow’s milk and usually aged 90 days. This Italian Fontina has a natural rind that turns tan to orange-brown as it ages. The interior is a pale cream color with holes known as “eyes”. Rich and creamy in flavor, with more notes of nuts as it ages. This is a great cheese for fondues, Italian dishes, dishes with wild cherries and truffles.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Serve with a glass of Nebbiolo, a bold Italian Red Wine, a big Chardonnay, or our March Wine Club – Reguta Ribolla Gialla. For beer, pair with a crisp beer such as a pilsner, or a pale Lager such as an Italian Peroni.

WINESTYLES: Bold, Rich or Silky
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean

Cheese_springDon’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 >

August Beer Club: Iowa

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BeerClubLogodhop5Equilibrium Brewing
dHop5
Double IPA
Middletown, New York

dHop5 is a Double IPA made by enhancing one of Equilibrium Brewing’s favorite IPAs – the Fractal Citra/Galaxy. Milky, straw-yellow in color, the dHop5 releases aromas of passionfruit, peach, lime and pineapple. On the palate, it is bright, creamy and tropical. Equilibrium Brewery scaled down on the Fractal’s grain bill, water treatment and fermentation; and intensified the hop bill of citra and galaxy making an extremely drinkable and balanced DIPA.

BeerStyles: Hoppy
Style: DIPA
ABV: 8% alcohol / volume

Super Fractal Kangaroo SetEquilibrium Brewery
Super Fractal Kangaroo Set
Triple IPA
Middletown, New York

Super Fractal Kangaroo Set was inspired by brewmaster and owner, Pete, and a trip he took to Australia. This Triple IPA starts off with a fractal grain bill, then Galaxy hops lead their way on the dry hop with support from Sabro and Citra. It is hazy intense yellow in color with tropical fruit, coconut and citrus aromas. On the palate, there are flavors of orange, melon, pineapple and coconut. 

BeerStyles: Hoppy
Style: IPA – Triple
ABV: 10% alcohol / volume

Equilibrium Brewery_South St. PilsEquilibrium Brewery
South St. Pils
Pilsner
Middletown, New York

Named after the Brewery’s new address, the South St. Pils is pale golden-yellow in color. It is light bodied and crisp, with a very soft hop aroma. On the palate, there are notes of flower medleys, fresh cut lawn, and yeasty crackers. This beer has a refreshing, clean finish.

BeerStyles: Crisp & Clean
Style: Pilsner
ABV: 5.5% alcohol / volume

ABOUT THE BREWERY:
Equilibrium Brewery considers themselves to be an experimental brewery, emphasizing research and exploration. They are curious scientists and beers drinkers looking to share delicious beverages created in an organic process. Equilibrium Brewery works with local producers to use the freshest ingredients possible. They believe it is an essential part of their business to maintain an equilibrium between local supply and demand. Learn more about their story here.

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