Tag Archives: Semi-Hard Cheese

July Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubPoint-Reyes-Toma-cheese-wheelPoint Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. Toma Point Reyes Station, California

In Italian, Toma means “wheel of cheese made by the farmer herself.” What better way to describe this, Point Reyes’s most versatile, any time, any table cheese. It’s an all natural, pasteurized, semi-hard cheese that is creamy in texture with a waxed rind. It is creamy and buttery in flavor and has a grassy, tang finish.  USE & PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: The perfect any time snacking cheese, Toma is excellent for melting into pasta or risotto or in grilled cheese sandwiches. Grate on top of grilled vegetables, burgers or soups. Pair with sweet (peaches, fruit compotes), savory (toasted nuts, sautéed greens) and serve with hop-heavy beers, Pinot Noir or barrel-aged scotch. Toma loves an Old Fashioned cocktail or a Mai Tai! WINESTYLES: Bold or Mellow BEERSTYLES: Hoppy FACTS:
  • Made from pasteurized, rBST-free cows’ milk
  • Made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet
  • Aged for 90 days
  • Gluten Free
AWARDS:
  • 2024 CA State Fair, Best of California
  • 2023 CA State Fair, Gold Medal
  • 2023 US Championship Cheese, 3rd Place
  • 2022 World Cheese Awards – Silver
  • 2022 CA State Fair, Best of California
  • 2020 Good Food Awards – Best Cheese
  • See all other awards here

Point-Reyes-Truffle-cheese-wheelPoint Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. TomaTruffle Point Reyes Station, California

TomaTruffle is the perfect combination of classic Toma paired with the aromatic flavors of Italian Black Truffles from Umbria. Reminiscent of undergrowth, fresh strawberries, dried fruit and a hint of cocoa, the earthy flavor marries beautifully with the buttery richness of Toma. This semi-hard cheese is creamy in texture with a waxed rind. The distinct, aromatic flavor or truffles combines with Toma’s signature flavor for an earthy, buttery delight. TomaTruffle is the perfect decadent cheese for any celebration! USE & PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Great as a snacking cheese or perfect for melting on eggs, sprinkled on warm potato chips or just enjoyed on its own with a glass of dry sparkling wine.! WINESTYLES: Rich or Bold BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy or Crisp & Clean FACTS:
  • Made from pasteurized, rBST-free cows’ milk
  • Made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet
  • Aged for 90 days
  • Gluten Free
AWARDS:
  • 2024 Good Food Awards
  • 2024 CA State Fair, Gold
  • 2023 International Cheese and Dairy Awards, Silver
  • 2022 CA State Fair, Best of California
  • 2022 World Cheese Awards – Silver
  • 2022 World Champion Cheese Contest, Best of Class/Top 20 Cheeses
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
© Point Reyes Cheese – All Rights Reserved
ABOUT POINT REYES CHEESE: Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company is a culmination of a family’s agricultural legacy. Founded by their great-grandfather, their California dairy farm has transformed over the years. In the 1990s, seeking a more sustainable path, the Giacomini sisters returned to the farm and transitioned it into an artisanal cheesemaking operation. Their handcrafted cheese, like the signature Original Blue and Toma, continues the family tradition of producing high-quality products while honoring their love for the land. Learn more here.
Information and photo © Point Reyes Cheese – 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 ClubVermont Shepherd VeranoVermont Shepherd Verano Putney, Vermont

Coming from its name, Verano is Vermont Shepherd’s seasonal summer cheese; made from pure sheeps’ milk when their pastures are abundant with wild herbs and grasses. This summer cheese is one of their rarest and best US sheep’s milk cheese, Verano ages 3-5 months and ripens by August. It is a smooth and creamy, semi-hard cheese; highlighting a sweet, rich and earthy flavor with hints of clover, mint, and thyme. The rustic wheel has a rough, golden brown rind. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Semi-hard Cheese, such as Verano pair incredibly with a Red Burgundy or White Bordeaux. These wines are well-balanced in acidity, fruit, and tannins to enhance the flavor of Verano.  As for beer, reach for an Amber Ale. This caramel and malt forward beer will play with the earthiness of Verano. Vermont Shepherd Verano_ WINESTYLES: Fruity BEERSTYLES: Malty & Sweet ABOUT VERMONT SHEPHERD: Vermont Shepherd is a 250-acre farm in Westminster West, Vermont with 300-700 sheep (depending on the time of year), 2 Border Collies (who herd the sheep) and 8 Maremma – a beautiful white dog who protects the sheep from predators – along with shepherds of all ages. At the northern edge of the farm is a cave which is home to their 2 types of cheese, where they live out the seasons of their lives.   Vermont Shepherd has won two conservation awards in 2002 and 2006 for the quality of its farming work and improving the soils, pastures, and water resources. 

Vella Dry Monterey JackVella Cheese Company Dry Monterey Jack Sonoma, California

Firm, pale yellow with a sweet nutty flavor. This cheese is great for grating, shredding, slicing, cooking or just plain eating. Marvelous in toasted cheese sandwiches, omelets and soufflés. Delicious shredded on pasta, soups or tacos, casseroles or enchiladas – for a taste that is unique and special. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Vella Cheese Co.’s Dry Monterey Jack pairs well with a bright, citrus forward Chardonnay from our Crisp or Fruity section. As for beer, this Jack pairs well with a Kolsch or a Blonde Ale from our Crisp and Clean section. Vella Dry Monterey Jack WINESTYLES: Crisp and Fruity BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean ABOUT VELLA CHEESE COMPANY: Gaetano (Tom) Vella arrived in Sonoma in the early 1920s, holding various jobs with the Sonoma Mission Creamery, in which his brother, Joseph, held considerable stock. Tom quickly built a reputation for his hard work, honesty and ability to make superior cheeses. In 1931, a group of dairymen approached Tom and offered to supply him with all the quality bulk milk he would need to successfully operate his own cheese factory. Tom jumped to the opportunity, and thus Vella Cheese Company was born. In 1981, the company was handed over to his children, and today is under the careful eye of his son, Ig Vella. Tom’s tradition and quality continues as cheese are still handmade, using sustainable practices and milk from local dairies. DRY MONTEREY JACK AWARDS:
  • 2014 Silver Medal, California State Fair
  • 2011 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
  • 2004 Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair
  • 1988 International Gold Medal Winner 

Monthly Cheese ClubDon’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 >