Tag Archives: March Cheese Club

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 >

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 >

March Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubIrishCheddarPorterCladdagh Bó Irish Cheddar Cheese with Porter Beer Limerick, Ireland

Made by the O’Doherty family at their award-winning Old Irish Creamery located in County Limerick on the west coast of Ireland. Their Irish Cheddar with Porter is a creamy pasteurized cow’s milk Irish Cheddar that is covered in original Irish Porter, giving both a deep flavor and beautiful marbled look to this stunning cheese. With superb taste and texture, this new Claddaugh Bó line represents the very best of the cheesemaking traditions from the Emerald Isle. Pairing: Add this stunning cheese to your charcuterie board and wow your guests. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: This cheese pairs beautifully with a Zinfandel wine. For beer, look for a Porter or a Stout (keep the flavors from the cheese going). WINESTYLES: Mellow BEERSTYLES: Dark & Roasty Information © Somerdale International and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Aged-Red_Leicester-cheeseLong Clawson Dairy Rutland Red Leicestershire, England

This clothbound Red Leicester cheese is produced by Long Clawson Dairy in Leicestershire, England. Made using traditional recipes using pasteurized cow’s milk, this cheese is buttered, cloth-bound and matured for six months to produce a flaky, open texture cheese with a slightly sweet, caramelized flavor and rich golden orange color from the addition of annatto seeds. Its flavors are mellow and toasty with lingering caramel notes. This Rutland Red is an award winning cheese – three gold medals at the Global Cheese Awards,  four gold medals at the Tesco Red Leiscester Trophy and the International Cheese Awards.  Pairing: Serve on a cheese board with pickles and rustic bread, or enjoy grated on top of biscuits, mashed potatoes, stews and Shepard’s Pie. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: This cheese suits a full bodied white wine such as an oaked Chardonnay. If you’re wanting a red wine, partner this cheese with a medium bodied Rioja. For craft beer, look for a Brown Ale. WINESTYLES: Bold and Rich BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy Information © Long Clawson Dairy and 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: 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 >