Tag Archives: Netherlands

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 >

September Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubArtikaas-Youngsters-Smoked-Gouda.SM_-485x485Artikaas Youngsters Smoked Gouda Netherlands

Every Youngsters Gouda is aged 4 to 6 weeks for a perfectly creamy texture. In addition, this exceptional cow’s milk Gouda is smoked to infuse a velvety, toasty smokiness that is also creamy and buttery. It is great for melting over burgers, or snacking with salami.  WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, try this cheese with a Spanish red, such as a Tempranillo. The bold, fruity notes of Tempranillo can handle the richness of the smoked gouda, while the wine’s acidity can cut through the creaminess.  For beer, look for an Amber Ale; the malty sweetness of an ale complements the smoky flavor of the cheese, creating a balanced and satisfying combination. WINESTYLES: Fruity or Bold red wines BEERSTYLES: Malty beers Information © Artikaas and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Coopers-Hill-Header-Product-485x485Cooper’s Hill Double Gloucester Great Britain

We’re bringing back a fan favorite! 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.   Cooper’s Hill celebrates a famous cheese rolling tradition enshrined in English folklore.  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. The next event is scheduled for May 26, 2025. Learn more about this fun tradition > WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair with a Syrah; the bold, peppery notes of the red wine can handle the richness of the cheese. Or, if you’re looking for a white wine, try with this month’s Terra Dives Liolà Bianco; the balance of fresh fruit and acidity will pair well with the cheese’s creamy texture. 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.

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 >

May Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubBenning CheeseBenning®
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

midnight-moon-pkg-smallCypress 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

Monthly Cheese Club

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 >