October Cheese Club: Cedar Rapids

Posted on September 25, 2026 by WineStyles Tasting Station

Fromager d’Affinois Florette Goat’s Milk Brie Cheese Pélussin, France

Florette is a goat’s milk cheese with a stark white paste and a dimple-edged rind, folded over itself like a freshly baked pie crust. It’s the brightest, freshest-tasting cheese in Fromager d’Affinois’ lineup, with notes of tangy lemon yogurt and a clean, fresh scent, reminiscent of grass after a morning rain.

PAIRINGS: Best paired with fresh, springtime flavors, like lemon marmalade, Granny Smith apples, and Marcona almonds. Or ripe blueberries, honey and fresh basil. Also great with spiced fig jam. This cheese pairs beautifully with Sauvignon Blanc wines, cool-climate Chardonnay, sparkling wines, or Beaujolais and light Pinot Noir wines.

WINESTYLES: Silky or Mellow

BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean

ABOUT THE CREAMERY: In the 1980s, Jean Claude Guilloteau and his wife settled in Pélussin, a picturesque village in France’s Rhône-Alpes region, near Lyon. Surrounded by vineyards, mountains and a rich culinary tradition, Guilloteau set out to rethink the art of French cheesemaking.

Drawing on his experience in yogurt production, Guilloteau pioneered the use of ultrafiltration, a process that removes excess water from milk while retaining its natural richness. Combined with years of research into unique cultures and rennet, this innovative approach created the signature silky, creamy texture and delicate flavor found in Fromagerie Guilloteau cheeses, like Florette. What began in a small French village eventually found its way to cheese lovers around the world. Learn more about the history of Fromager d’Affinois here> Information © Fromager d’Affinois – All Rights Reserved.

Cooper’s Hill Double Gloucester Great Britain

Cooper’s Hill celebrates a famous cheese rolling tradition enshrined in English folklore. This pasteurized cow’s milk cheese combines the creamy texture and rounded taste of a quintessential British Double Gloucester with the tang of added chives and onions. Every year, a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is sent down the hill and the first person chasing it to cross the finish line receives the wheel of the cheese and all the accolades. Learn more about this fun tradition > WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: This cheese suits Mellow or Bold wine styles, such as a Syrah or Spanish Rioja wine. Silky white wine style, such as a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre region in Loire Valley, France. For craft beer, a natural partner would be British or American Brown Ales. WINESTYLES: Bold or Mellow red wines or Silky white wines. BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

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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

Posted on January 28, 2026 by mcginnessalex

Saint Nectaire AOC
Semi-soft Cheese
Auvergne, France

This semi-soft, washed-rind cheese comes from the Auvergne region of France. It is made from either raw or pasteurized cow’s milk, sourced primarily from breeds like Salers or Montbéliarde. The paste is soft and aromatic with a creamy color. It is slightly sweet and has subtle flavors of hazelnut with an almost spice-like after-bite.

Saint Nectaire is distinguished with the prestigious AOC designation and it undergoes a maturation period lasting six to eight weeks. Throughout this process, the cheeses are washed with salted water and regular turned over to cultivate the specific orange-grey rind. the cheeses are aged on rye straw to impart a distinct pungency.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
For a wine, pair with this month’s sweet club selection: Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Old Vine Muscat. For beer, enjoy this semi-soft, washed-rind cheese with a Belgian Saison.

WINESTYLES: Nectar
BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy

Clawson Farms
Reserve Blue Stilton Cheese
Leicestershire, England

This traditional cheese is still made by hand in just three English counties: Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham. It has long been valued for its ability to evoke the flavors of the past. Beneath its rough, mottled grey-brown rind lies an ivory paste threaded with greenish-blue veins of mold. The texture is dense and fudge-like, and the flavor is gently fruity with a mellow richness.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
For a wine, pair with this month’s sweet club selection: Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Old Vine Muscadelle. For beer, enjoy this English cheese with an English barleywine.

WINESTYLES: Nectar
BEERSTYLES: Dark & Roasty

About Clawson Farms:
Clawson Farms is a farmer-owned co-operative founded in 1912 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire, now made up of around 30 local farms within a 30-mile radius. With over a century of cheese-making heritage, the creamery blends traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation to produce award-winning British cheeses like Blue Stilton, Shropshire Blue, and Aged Rutland Red. Clawson remains committed to sustainability, animal welfare, and community values, recently unveiling a refreshed brand identity that celebrates its roots while inviting a new generation to discover its cheeses. Learn more here.

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Match Made in Heaven!

January Cheese Club: Iowa

Posted on December 30, 2024 by mcginnessalex

Agour Petit Agour Pur Brebis Semi-hard Sheep’s Milk Cheese France

Made from pasteurized sheep’s milk from the Basque Pyreness region, it boasts a sweet, subtle flavor and a creamy yet sturdy texture. Its bright orange rind, dusted with the region’s speciality, Espellettes pimento, giving it a distinctive rusty red appearance, can be brushed clean before slicing. The method used making this cheese is claimed to be the oldest surviving tradition in the world, dating back 4000 year. Petit Agour offers a distinctly sheep-y character, with floral, nutty, and lanolin notes typical of rustic sheep’s milk cheeses—without veering into overly sharp or barnyard flavors. Pair it with cherry spread for a classic combination, or try shaving it over roasted vegetables or a salad of bitter greens. It’s equally delightful on its own, sliced wafer-thin. Aged: 3 months Region: Basque, France WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair with a Merlot or Pinot Grigio. For beer, reach for an amber or brown ale, the malty sweetness and caramel notes of an ale harmonize beautifully with the cheese’s subtle, nutty flavors. WINESTYLES: Mellow or Crisp wines BEERSTYLES: Dark beers Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Gabriel Coulet Roquefort La Petite Cave Sheep’s Milk Cheese France

Gabriel Coulet is a family business and a well regarded cellar which proudly preserves an age old tradition. In 1872, Guilhaume Coulet built a wine cellar that later became a cheese aging cave. Roquefort is the undisputed king of French blue cheeses, and they don’t come much better than Gabriel Coulet. Their Roquefort has a wonderful creamy paste with a buttery texture, a peppery bite from the veining, and a nice salt finish. Aged: 4+ months Region: Auvergne, Midi Pyrenees Protection: AOC Fat: 52% WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, try this cheese with a Port. A ruby or tawny Port offers a bold, sweet profile with notes of dried fruit and nuts that counterbalances the salty, tangy richness of Roquefort. For beer, try with an Imperial Stout; the roasted malt flavors, dark chocolate, and coffee notes of an Imperial Stout will also pair beautifully with Roquefort’s salty and tangy intensity. WINESTYLES: Nectar wines BEERSTYLES: Malty & Sweet Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

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December Cheese Club: Iowa

Posted on November 26, 2024 by mcginnessalex

Lincet Le Délice de Bourgogne Triple Cream France

Lincet’s venerable Le Délice de Bourgogne is a cow’s milk, triple cream, soft ripened cheese. It has a thick, creamy paste with salt-balanced buttercream of its classic Burgundian forebears. It’s similar to Brie, but richer with a thinner rind. Mild and delicious, a real crowd-pleaser. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair with your favorite bubbly for the season. Try one of our December Bubbly Club selections. For beer, reach for a Stout. WINESTYLES: Bubbly wines BEERSTYLES: Dark beers Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Divina Jalapeño Stuffed Olives Greece

The perfect mix of climate, soil, and terrain create the ideal conditions for the Halkidiki olives. The key to this intriguing duo is the playful contrast of flavor and texture. The buttery and meaty green olives perfectly complement the savory crunch of pickled jalapeños. Try them in tacos and quesadillas, or up your cocktail game by adding them to a margarita or sangria. BEVERAGE PAIRINGS: Bring all of your holiday cocktails to life with these jalapeño stuffed olives. Enjoy in a dirty martini, spicy margarita or sangria. For beer, try with a Mexican Lager to enhance the briny, salty notes. BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean Information © Divina and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

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August Cheese Club: Iowa

Posted on July 29, 2024 by mcginnessalex

Jean Perrin Morbier AOP Franche-Comte, France

Morbier was behind Jean Perrin’s creation of their cheese dairy in January 1965. Produced in strict keeping with tradition, it is the only Morbier available in the United States. It’s made from raw cow’s milk and cellar-refined for between 45 and 130 days to create a creamy, ivory-colored texture, and a range of flavors from soft and creamy to those with more character for bolder cheese lovers. It is known for its distinct appearance, with a layer of ash running through the center. The ash used in Morbier cheese is vegetable ash, and it is primarily a traditional and aesthetic feature. The smell is legit; funky, washed and briny. The paste has a silkiness to it while still being firm. The flavor is multi-layered with a tannic finish. PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Pair the Morbier AOP cheese with this month’s Maison Biotteau AOP Anjou Rouge. The delicate tannins and bright acidity of this red wine complement the creamy and slightly tangy flavor of Morbier. For beer, reach for a Belgian Dubbel. The caramel and dark fruit notes in the beer balance well with the creamy texture and earthy flavors of the Morbier. WINESTYLES: Mellow BEERSTYLES: Dark & Roasty Information and photo © Jean Perrin & Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Onetik Ossau-Iraty AOC Pyrenees, France

A genuine AOC treasure, this cheese boasts a rich, fruity, and nutty flavor from the milk of Manech and Basco-Béarnaise sheep. Ideal for picnics, its semi-firm and smooth texture offers delightful notes of hazelnut, butter, and herbs. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and salty meats like Prosciutto di Parma. PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Pair the Ossau-Iraty AOC with this month’s Maison Biotteau Anjou Blanc. The Chenin Blanc’s fresh acidity will enhance the nutty, buttery flavors of the cheese. As for beer, try with one of our August Beer Club selections, or another Belgian Saison. The farmhouse ale’s herbal and spicy characteristics complement the rich, nutty, and herbaceous profile of Ossau-Iraty. WINESTYLES: Crisp BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Sour Information and photo © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

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January Cheese Club: Iowa

Posted on December 29, 2023 by mcginnessalex

Belletoile Triple Créme Brie Lorraine Valley, France

In 1960, Belletoile was the first triple créme Brie exported to the USA. It sets itself apart from traditional Brie and Camembert by incorporating extra cream in the production process, resulting in a delightful, creamy, and mellow texture. Its protective rind allows for prolonged enjoyment, as it softens and ages. Evolving flavor profiles start out fresh and mild, then transforms into a creamier and more aromatic taste as the cheese matures. This triple cream cheese is light, airy and mild with 70% fat. It’s more savory and buttery than a traditional brie. Enjoy with this recipe for a crostini topped with cherry jam. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Pair with an unoaked Chardonnay or our January White Wine Selection. For beer, look for a crisp wheat beer, such as a Hefeweizen or an ale such as a saison. WINESTYLES: Silky BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean, or Sour, Tart & Funky Information and photo © Belletoile – All Rights Reserved.

Castellano Cecilia de Castilla Castile-León, Spain

A traditional Spanish sheep’s milk cheese from the Castilla y León region. This cheese has a rich, complex flavor with buttery, nutty and sweet undertones – everything you love about Spanish sheep’s milk cheese! Aged for 12 months, it has a deep ivory to light yellow color with a firm and almost crumbly texture. The flavors are complex, deep and nutty with a slightly sharp and tangy finish. WINE & CRAFT BEER RECOMMENDATIONS: Enjoy with a fruity red such as a Tempranillo, or a bubbly wine such as a Spanish Cava. For beer, grab a Basque Cider. WINESTYLES: Fruity & Mellow BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean Information and Photo © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

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January Cheese Club: Iowa

Posted on December 23, 2022 by mcginnessalex

Cecilia Zamorano D.O.P. Sheep Semibold Cheese Castile-León, Spain

Aged for 3-9 months, this DOP cheese is made from raw milk of its namesake region’s Churra and Castellano sheep. The rind has a familiar zigzag pattern – typical of many Spanish cheeses – but its flavor is all its own. This cheese is deliciously sweet and nutty with a touch of salt. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Pair with a fruity wine such as a Tempranillo or a mellow wine such as our January Wine Club wines: Chateau Govain Merlot and the Domaine de Lilotte Bordeaux. For beer, grab something fruity and spicy, like a Belgian-Style Wheat Ale. WINESTYLES: Fruity or Mellow BEERSTYLES: Fruity and Spicy

Onetik Tomme Pur Chèvre Goat Cheese Pyrenees, France

This natural rinded Tomme cheese is made from pasteurized goat’s milk. Similar in texture to Onetik’s Ossau-Iraty Cheese, however, the flavors here are clearer and brighter, with cool herbal tones to replace the nuttiness that you would get from a sheep’s milk Tomme. This is a great addition to any cheese board. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Pair with a crisp wine such as a Sancerre or a Sauvignon Blanc – try with our January White Wine Club wine – Chateau Le Prieur Cuvée Passion. For beer, pair with a crisp Basque Cider from the Basque region of Europe (think: “what grows together, goes together”). WINESTYLES: Crisp BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

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January Cheese Club: Iowa

Posted on December 31, 2020 by mcginnessalex

Blumenkäse Switzerland

An alpine cheese covered with wildflowers from the meadows of Switzerland. This floral beauty isn’t just pretty on the outside, it’s packed with flavors of French onion soup and sweet carrots on the inside. The rind is decorated in a long list of herbs and flowers, including: winter savory, dill, garlic, caraway, lovage, marjoram, mint, leek, chive, parsley, juniper berries, onion, marigolds, cornflower, roses, and strawberry leaves. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing wine with this cheese, reach for a Chardonnay, Viognier, Bubbles or Fruity Red Wines; for beer, look for something Hoppy and Bitter, such as an IPA. WINESTYLES: Crisp, Fruity, and Bubbly BEERSTYLES: Hoppy and Bitter Blumenkases

Marcel Petite Sagesse 24-Month Comté France

Selected by Essex St. Cheese Co., Sagesse Comté (formerly “Symphony”) represents the highest level a wheel of Comté can achieve at Marcel Petite; only 2% of all production reaches this point. Sagesse Comté is selected in line with the Essex flavor profile, but is bigger and broader in taste with a darker paste and immense tyrosine crystallization. This is an unpasteurized cows’ milk cheese with a powerful depth of flavor, similar to a great piece of dark chocolate. Sagesse Comté is available only once a year. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing wine with this cheese, reach for a Champagne, aged Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir; for beer, look for something Malty & Sweet such as a Milk Stout. WINESTYLES: Rich, Mellow, or Bubbly BEERSTYLES: Malty & Sweet

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Tag Archives: French Cheese

October Cheese Club: Cedar Rapids

Fromager d’Affinois Florette Goat’s Milk Brie Cheese Pélussin, France

Cooper’s Hill Double Gloucester Great Britain

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

February Cheese Club: Iowa

Saint Nectaire AOC
Semi-soft Cheese
Auvergne, France

Clawson Farms
Reserve Blue Stilton Cheese
Leicestershire, England

January Cheese Club: Iowa

Agour Petit Agour Pur Brebis Semi-hard Sheep’s Milk Cheese France

Gabriel Coulet Roquefort La Petite Cave Sheep’s Milk Cheese France

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