Tag Archives: vermont

June Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubMD-MSGC-USAMeredith Dairy
Marinated Sheep & Goat Cheese
Australia

A creamy, spreadable blend of sheep and goat cheese, marinated in Australian extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and herbs. This luxurious cheese is incredibly addictive and versatile.

Meredith Dairy is committed to sustainability, growing their own animal feed and bedding straw, repurposing cheese whey as cattle feed, and using natural fertilizer. Every day, they craft cheese from freshly collected sheep and goat milk. Once formed, the fresh cheese is marinated in a blend of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and fresh thyme. The result is a luxuriously creamy, tangy, and well-balanced cheese.

Enjoy this marinated cheese spread over crusty bread, paired with grilled vegetables, or tossed into a salad. Don’t let the leftover marinating oil go to waste—it makes a delicious base for salad dressings.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Pair it with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to highlight the cheese’s tangy brightness and complement the herbs in the marinade. For beer, try a Belgian-style Saison—its peppery notes and effervescence balance the richness beautifully.

WINESTYLES: Crisp
BEERSTYLES: Bitter

ABOUT THE CREAMERY:
Meredith Dairy is located about 50 miles west of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Originally a farm dedicated to beef, lamb, and wool, it faced challenges when the sheep and wool industries declined in the 1990s. In response, owners Sandy and Julie Cameron turned to sheep and goat cheesemaking, ultimately establishing a farmstead dairy. They expanded their herd with more sheep and goats and built multiple milking platforms to support their new venture. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Meredith Dairy and Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Grafton Village Cheese Maple Smoked Cheddar CheeseGrafton Village Cheese Co.
Maple Smoked Cheddar Cheese
Grafton, Vermont

A New England classic. This young cheddar is cold-smoked over maple and hardwood for up to four hours, imparting the signature aroma and satisfying flavor of this classic cheese.

Grafton’s Maple Smoked Cheddar has a mild, buttery body with heady aromas of campfire and smoked ham. A sweet finish recalls memories of toasted marshmallows.

This is a versatile cheese that can occupy nearly any culinary slot. Pair with dried apricots, pickled ramps and cured meats for a cheese board. Maple Smoked Cheddar is a natural pairing with mustard and can add depth to a ham sandwich. It is a superb melter.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS:
Pair it with an Oregon Pinot Noir or a young California Merlot to complement the cheese’s smoky-sweet finish. For beer, a Vermont brown ale or rich porter enhances the maple and savory notes beautifully.

WINESTYLES: Fruity
BEERSTYLES: Malty

ABOUT GRAFTON VILLAGE CHEESE CO.:
​Grafton Village Cheese, established in 1892 in Grafton, Vermont, began as a cooperative of local dairy farmers converting surplus raw milk into cheese. After a fire destroyed the original factory in 1912, the nonprofit Windham Foundation revived the company in the 1960s, aiming to support Vermont’s rural communities. Today, Grafton continues its tradition of handcrafting award-winning cheeses using premium unpasteurized milk sourced from small, local family farms. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Grafton Village Cheese Co. and 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 >

December Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubAlpha-Tolman-Cheese-ImageJasper Hill Farm Alpha Tolman Greensboro, Vermont

Alpha Tolman has a buttery, fruit and nut flavor when young, developing bold meaty, caramelized onion flavors as it matures. The texture is dense and pliant, easily portioned and ideal for melting. Curds are cooked and pressed before being aged for 8-11 months to achieve a tight, elastic texture and robust, complex flavors. The texture, aesthetic, and flavor make Alpha an ideal choice for fondue or onion jam. For a satisfying and novel meal, follow the lead of Swiss/French raclette: melt it onto a plate of fingerling potatoes, cured meat, and natural sour pickles. HISTORY: Alpha Tolman is a Jasper Hill original, inspired by classic Alpine cheeses of Europe. Its name pays homage to Mr. Alpha Tolman, a philanthropic dairy farmer responsible for – among other notable works – building the town library in 1900. Alpha’s grandfather, Enoch Tolman, was an original settler of Greensboro, Vermont. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Try pairing with a robust Ale or other bock beers, or plummy red wines, such as a Barbera or Cabernet Franc. WINESTYLES: Mellow or Bold BEERSTYLES: Malty Info and photos © Jasper Hill Farm – All Rights Reserved.

Cambozola Balance-Cheese-BowKasseri Champignon Cambozola Classic Triple Creme Blue Bavaria, Germany

It’s not a brie, it’s not a blue. This creamy, soft ripened cheese has a rind that is bloomy and white, while the paste is soft and creamy with flecks of blue. It’s a nice way to introduce someone to a blue style cheese as the flavor is mild and not overwhelming. Use this cheese when making our December Secondary Red wine pairing recipe. WINE & CRAFT BEER RECOMMENDATIONS: Enjoy with a rich Porter or Stout beer, or reach for a light-bodied Pinot Noir or sparkling wine made using the traditional method, such as a French Champagne or Spanish Cava. WINESTYLES: Mellow BEERSTYLES: Malty Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved. Photo © Gourmet Foods International – 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 >

August Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese Clubaged-cheeses-st-albans-250Vermont Creamery St. Albans Websterville, Vermont

The St. Albans cheese is a uniquely American take on the French St. Marcellin. It is an aged cows’ milk cheese and takes its name from the town of St. Albans, Vermont. Hand-shaped and aged for eleven days, these delicate cheese disks are packaged in sturdy ceramic crocks that double as baking vessels. INGREDIENT INFORMATION: Pasteurized Cultured Milk, Salt, and Enzymes SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
  • Share on a cheeseboard alongside other fresh and aged cheeses
  • Spread it on a seeded cracker or crostini
  • Melt and drizzle on top of baked potatoes or roasted corn on the cob
  • Other pairings: Pickled Eggs, Pomegranate Molasses, Sweet & Sour Pickle, and Pea Shoots
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair with a Sauvignon Blanc or a Bordeaux Blanc. For beer, pair with a sparkling mead. WINESTYLES: Crisp or Silky BEERSTYLES: Fruity & Spicy RECOGNITION:
  • 2017 US Championship Cheese Contest – Third Place
  • 2017 Sofi™ Awards – Best New Product – Cheese Category
  • 2016 World Cheese Awards – Bronze
reformatted-vermont-creamery-logoABOUT VERMONT CREAMERY: Founded in 1984, on a chance interaction between two young entrepreneurs, Allison Hooper and Bob Reese. Allison learned how to make cheese during an internship on a farm in Brittany, France. Bob was working for the Vermont Department of Agriculture when he was in charge of organizing a dinner featuring all Vermont-made products. The French chef of this dinner requested fresh goat cheese, and Bob scrambled to find a local producer. He was able to find Allison, who was working in a dairy lab and milking goats, and asked her to make the cheese for them. The dinner was a success and the cheese was a hit – and so, Vermont Creamery was born that night. Today, these two business owners continue to make consciously-crafted, delicious dairy in Vermont. Their cheeses and butters have won hundreds of national and international awards and their team remains the most valuable resource of them all. Learn more about their story here. St Albans Cheese Plate

beehive-seahive-cheeseBeehive Cheese Seahive Cheddar Uintah, Utah

Seahive is a true expression of the flavors of Utah. This sweet and creamy Utah Cheddar’s rind is rubbed with local wildflower honey and ancient salt harvested from a pristine ocean deposit in Redmond, Utah giving the cheese its signature pinkish hue. The honey on the rind elevates its inherent sweetness, without becoming cloyingly sweet. INGREDIENT INFORMATION: Vegetarian rennet, cow’s milk, all ingredients rubbed on the rind are organic and this is a gluten-friendly product. SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
  • Pair with stone fruits, berries, charcuterie, and toasted nuts
  • Top with jam
  • Sidecar with your apple pie.
WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, reach for an unoaked, silky Chardonnay. When pairing with beer, opt for a crisp Pilsner or Lager. WINESTYLES: Silky BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean RECOGNITION:
  • 1st Place International Cheese and Dairy Awards (ICDA) 2021
  • 2nd Place World Cheese Awards (WCA) 2021
  • 3rd Place American Cheese Society 2011
  • 3rd Place WCA 2018, 2019
Bee Hive Cheese logoABOUT BEEHIVE CHEESE: In 2005, Tim Welsh and his brother-in-law, Pat Ford, had a vision of opening a creamery in the mountains of Northern Utah. With no more than eight days of cheesemaking experience between the two of them when they first began, the two broke tradition without even realizing it. They enjoyed the freedom to experiment and created their own rules about what artisan cheese could be. With their families by their sides, they built a company grounded in independent thinking, connectedness, and authenticity. They partnered with some of the best cheese researchers and creameries the western U.S. had to offer. Today, Beehive Cheese continues to produce award-winning cheeses that bring family and friends together. Learn more about their story here. Beehive Seahive Cheese Photos and information © Vermont Creamery and Beehive Cheese – All Rights Reserved.

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 ClubGrafton Cheese ClubGrafton Village Cheese Clothbound Cheddar Vermont, USA

Grafton’s signature Cheddar is wrapped in cheesecloth and cave-aged for 6-8 months, a traditional method used for centuries allowing the cheese to take on a deeper variety of flavors. Grassy, nutty notes dominate with some lemony accents and a smooth, lactic body. The texture is firm and creamy with a tendency to crumble. AWARDS:
  • 2019 American Cheese Society – Second Place
  • 2019 International Cheese & Dairy Awards – Gold
  • 2019 Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition – Silver
  • Many others – click here
FOOD PAIRING: Serve as table cheese, alongside dried fruits, nutty bread, dark berries, or grainy mustards WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: For wine, pair with our April Wine Club Wine – Pierre Jean Sauvignon Blanc; or other ‘Old-World’ classics such as a Chablis, Pinot Noir or Riesling. For beer, reach for a Wheat Beer, Red Ale or off-dry Cider. WINESTYLES: Silky BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean or Fruity & Spicy
Grafton Cheese

© Photo by Grafton Village Cheese

ABOUT GRAFTON VILLAGE CHEESE: The Grafton Cooperative Cheese Company was founded in 1892 by dairy farmers in rural agricultural communities who gathered together to make their surplus raw milk into cheese. This helped the community as they were able to take an abundance of creamy milk and turn it into a food that could be stored for a longer period of time. In 1912, a fire destroyed the original factory; it wasn’t until several decades later, in the mid 1960s, the nonprofit Windham Foundation restored the company, and a new era for the town was born. Today, quality and taste are the hallmarks of their company’s award-winning cheeses. Learn more about their story here.

Quicke’s Devonshire Red Clothbound Cheese Devon, UK

Quicke’s is handcrafted using milk from grass-fed cows, clothbound and naturally matured, typically for 6 months. This vibrant, full-flavored cheese has a distinctive taste on a classic Red Leicester, with crumbly texture, fresh, nutty flavors and a lemony creaminess. Best to be eaten within 7 days of opening. Once opened, wrap in greaseproof paper and store in air-tight container in the fridge.  AWARDS:
  • 2020 Great Taste Award
FOOD PAIRING: Use in a Shepard’s Pie or with savory scones WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Pair with April’s Red Wine Club Wines or a fruity Pinot Noir. Also pairs well with sparkling wines, ciders and ales. WINESTYLES: Mellow or Fruity BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean; Sour, Tart & Funky; or Fruity & Spicy
Quickes03-06-20MattAustin-120_820x

© Photo by Quicke’s

ABOUT QUICKE’S: Established in 1540 by Andrew Quicke, when he fell in love with Devon village and built a better farm. Using traditional recipes, time-honored techniques and heritage starters passed down through the generations, Quicke’s continues to create outstanding clothbound cheddar. Made by hand in the old-fashioned way, slowly matured for a deeply satisfying flavor, their cheese celebrates the deep connection that has grown between the Quicke family and the land they have nurtured for almost 500 years. Learn more about their story here.
WineStyles of West Des Moines is excited to announce they have got their hands on a small amount of Hook’s Cheese Company’s special 15 Year Cheddar! While this is not featured in this month’s Cheese Club, we promise you don’t want to miss this. Ask how you can pick up this very special, limited cheese at your local wine store!

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 >

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 >

June Cheese Club: Iowa

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Liuzzi Burratacheese_club_logo-1240x1240Liuzzi Cheese – Burrata Hamden, CT

Liuzzi Cheese develops their Burrata authentically with a recipe that dates back over 5 generations. Their semi soft “Pasta Filata” cheese is made with Fior di latte cows milk cultures. They then fill their Burrata with fresh Stracciatella cream. This is often served with a sprinkle of salt and drizzle of olive oil. Scoop up the stracciatella cream with slices of Italian bread or spread the inside of the cheese onto crackers. Serve up with fresh tomatoes and basil, or it’s also a decadent and delicious topping for pizza.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: Liuzzi Burrata Cheese pairs well with wines from our CRISP wine style category. Also pairs well with light beers, such as Wheat Beers in the CRISP & CLEAN beer style category. WINESTYLES: Crisp BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean ABOUT LIUZZA CHEESE: Liuzzi Cheese started back in 1826 in the Puglia region of Italy with their founder, Pasquale (Lino) Liuzzi.  He had a dream to establish his own enterprise, producing premium quality cheeses and fine foods. Lino, along with his brother Nicola, eventually moved to the United States and opened up a modest store, Liuzzi Market, in North Haven, CT.  Since then, their family continues to serve the local community with the most outstanding products this side of Italy.  Their Artisan cheese is made with the highest quality and standards using only fresh ingredients from local farms.  All products are made without the artificial growth hormone (rBST) which guarantees the freshest, healthiest options for your family.  Their customers are still the bedrock of their accomplishments.

Clothbound Jasper Hill Farm – Clothbound Cheddar Greensboro, VT

Clothbound is an approachable but complex natural-rind, bandaged cheddar with a crumbly texture and nutty aroma. The flavor is deeply savory and slightly tangy with caramel sweetness to the finish. Clothbound has a signature tang and caramel nuttiness with a rustic crystalline texture that becomes creamy on the palate. This savory-sweet balance of flavor makes a perfect match for charcuterie, apple jelly, or a rich chestnut honey. Pair with an off-dry sparkling apple cider, hoppy ale, or an oaked Cabernet Sauvignon. Clothbound is an award winning cheese, including American Cheese Society’s 2006 Best in Show.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Jasper Hill Farm Clothbound Cheddar pairs well with SILKY or MELLOW wine styles.  It also matches well with India Pale Ales (IPA) or hoppy English Ales. WINESTYLES: Silky or Mellow BEERSTYLES: Hoppy & Bitter or Fruity & Spicy ABOUT JASPER HILL FARM: Jasper Hill is a working dairy farm with an on-site creamery in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Jasper Hill is driven to be the standard bearer of quality and innovation in the artisan cheese industry, while promoting their regional taste of place. Their underground aging facility maximizes the potential of cheeses made by the creamery, as well as those made by other local producers. Leftover whey from the cheesemaking process is fed to heritage breed pigs, roaming the woodlands beyond the cows’ pasture. Their mission is to make the highest possible quality products in a way that supports Vermont’s working landscape.