Tag Archives: wine and cheese pairing

November Cheese Club: Iowa

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Toma_cheesePoint Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.Cheese Club
Toma
Point Reyes Station, California

In Italian, ‘Toma’ means “wheel of cheese made by the farmer herself”; the perfect way to describe Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.’s most versatile, any time, any table cheese. Creamy and buttery in flavor with a grassy, tang finish, the Toma cheese is an all natural, semi-hard table cheese made from pasteurized, rBST-free cows’ milk coated in a waxed rind. It is made with microbial (vegetarian) rennet, aged for 90 days and is gluten free.

FOOD PAIRING: Toma makes for the perfect anytime snacking cheese. It is great for melting into or onto pastas, risottos, grilled cheese sandwiches, grilled vegetables, burgers or soups. Pair with savory or sweet foods such as peaches, fruit compotes, toasted nuts, or sautéed greens.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Serve with hop-heavy beers such as an IPA, and for wine, pair with our November Wine Club Wines: Estate Cellars Proprietary Red Blend or the Estate Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.

WINESTYLES: Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Hoppy & Bitter

AWARDS:

  • 2017 World Cheese Awards in London – Bronze Medal
  • 2017 American Cheese Society, Farmstead – 1st Place
  • 2017 California State Fair – Gold Medal
  • 2014 Good Food Awards – Best Cheese
  • 2012 American Cheese Society, American Originals, Cows’ Milk Category – 2nd Place
  • 2011 California State Fair – Gold Medal
  • 2011 American Cheese Society, American Originals, Cows’ Milk Category – 1st Place
  • 2010 World Cheese Awards in London – Silver Medal

ABOUT POINT REYES FARMSTEAD CHEESE COMPANY:
Stretching along the California coast, just about 40 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. is a family owned and operated business passed down from generation to generation for over 100 years. Today, the creamery is operated by the four Giacomini family daughters, whom all left their various business careers and returned to the creamery to transition the business into an artisan farmstead cheesemaking facility. Together they work to produce the freshest, highest quality milk. Learn more about their story here.

Petite-BreakfastMarin French Cheese Co.
Petite Breakfast Brie
Petaluma, California

Since 1865, Marin has been making their iconic Petite Breakfast Brie. Skipping the aging room, this cheese is fresh and young, and has a tangy flavor with a spongy texture – reminiscent of creamy cheese curds. 

FOOD PAIRING: Versatile for hot and cold usages, such as pastries or salads.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: For wine, pair with a Sauvignon Blanc or this month’s Primary White Wine Club Wine: the Estate Cellars Chardonnay. For beer, grab something hazy or citrus wheat beer.

WINESTYLES: Rich
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

ABOUT MARIN FRENCH CHEESE CO.:
Since 1865, Marin French Cheese Co. has been producing artisan cheese that respects nature and their local environments. The cheeses are handcrafted and made with the highest quality milks sourced from local dairies. Being the oldest continually operating cheese company in California, Marin French Cheese Co. cheeses have distinctive, authentic taste that is true to their roots in Marin County.

Screen Shot 2021-06-28 at 7.24.47 PMDon’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 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 cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

October Cheese Club: Iowa

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© Photo by World HarvestReny PicotCheese Club
Cantar de Covadonga
Spain

Cantar de Covadonga is a white, crumbly, yet creamy blue veined soft-cheese named after the region in which it originates in Northern Spain. Covadonga is located just Northwest of the Picos de Europa, a mountain range in the Heart of Asturias, Spain. Originally coming from the Latin name, “Cova Domenica”, meaning the “Cave of the Lady”, the term became abbreviated to simply, Covadonga. This region in Spain is known for its wide range of cheeses, especially their blue ones. The Cantar de Covadonga is made from a blend of carefully selected cow’s and sheep’s milk and is aged for 3 to 4 months until it obtains its outstanding flavor. 

FOOD PAIRING: The Cantar de Covadonga makes for a great addition to any cheese board; or it can be enjoyed with burgers, mushrooms, chicken or on a salad.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: For wine, pair with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel or Pinot Noir. For beer, reach for a Stout, Porter, or IPA.

WINESTYLES: Crisp, Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Dark & Roasty or Hoppy & Bitter

ABOUT RENY PICOT:
Reny Picot was founded in 1960 in Asturias, Spain. Today, it is a Spanish Dairy Group with major global presence in the US, Mexico, France, Portugal, China and Poland. Their mission is to bring their flagship brand to as many parts of the world as possible, while still providing consumers with the very highest quality of dairy products. Learn more about their story here.

© Photo by Cheesey MarieLa Alberca
Queso Oveja al Romero
Spain

This rosemary coated Manchego-style cheese is made with Manchega sheep’s milk from the La Mancha region of Spain. The center is reminiscent of a dense fudge that softens on the palate while the exterior has spicy, herbal notes. The rosemary infuses into the cheese and is balanced by the sweet walnut tones of the cheese’s center. This Queso Oveja al Romero exceeds the expectations of any cheese lover.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: The Queso Oveja al Romero will pair beautifully with a Cava, or with this month’s Red Wine Club Selections – Alella Vinícola Ivori Aged Red Wine and Alella Vinícola Costa del Maresme. For beer, look for a lighter style such as a Lager or an Ale.

WINESTYLES: Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

HISTORY OF QUESO OVEJA AL ROMERO:
Produced in the same region as Manchego, this style of cheese has been around just as long as Manchego itself. Creameries and families follow traditions of rubbing the cheese with Iberic lard and rosemary while the cheese matures. As the flavors continue to be absorbed, the cheese is brushed off, and more herbs are rubbed on until the process is complete.

Screen Shot 2021-06-28 at 7.24.47 PMDon’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 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 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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GOLDFiscalini FarmsteadCheese Club
San Joaquin Gold
Modesto, California

The San Joaquin Gold is a handcrafted Parmesan-style cheese made with raw cow’s milk on Fiscalini’s sustainable farm. Named after the valley where it is made, this is an original cheese recipe created by and made only at Fiscalini Farmstead. It is an Italian-style cheese with a natural thin rind and a buttery color. It is mildly sweet and mellow when young, but develops into a darker golden hue and deeper, nuttier flavor as it ages. The San Joaquin Gold is made into 30-pound wheels and aged for a minimum of 12 months.

FOOD PAIRING: Try Fiscalini Farmstead’s Roasted Potatoes with San Joaquin Gold cheese. Get the recipe here >

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: The San Joaquin Gold pairs well with our three ‘September Wine Club’ Wines – Rocklin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Craftwork Old Vine Zinfandel, or the Craftwork Sauvignon Blanc. For beer, reach for a Cider, Pilsner or a Lager.

WINESTYLES: Crisp, Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

Old World CheddarFiscalini Farmstead
Old World Aged Cheddar
Modesto, California

The Old World Aged Cheddar is a handcrafted English Style Clothbound Cheese made with raw cow’s milk on Fiscalini’s sustainable farm. Straw colored with a nutty, slightly smoky, earthy finish, this remains the farmstead’s most popular and highly awarded cheese. It is firm, yet crumbly with a robust and buttery taste. The wheels are wrapped in a cheesecloth during their 14-month aging process; this protects the outermost layer while allowing the rest of the cheese to breathe and develop internally. This hard cheese is produced into 60-pound wheels.

FOOD PAIRING: Elevate your Avocado Toast with Fiscalini Farmstead’s Old World Aged Cheddar. Try this recipe >

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Pair the Old World Aged Cheddar with any of our ‘September Wine Club’ Wines – Rocklin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Craftwork Old Vine Zinfandel, or the Craftwork Sauvignon Blanc. For beer, also look for a Cider, Pilsner or a Lager.

WINESTYLES: Crisp, Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

Fascalini Cheese logo

ABOUT FISCALINI FARMSTEAD:
The Fiscalini Farmstead was established in Modesto, California in 1914 by John Baptiste Fiscalini, son of a Swiss immigrant, Mateo Fiscalini. Over the past 100 years, the farmstead has been passed down from generation to generation and has expanded to now include a cheesemaking facility on their premises. The family continues a way of life that respects, preserves and honors the animals, land and its resources. Learn more about their Farmstead here.

 

Screen Shot 2021-06-28 at 7.24.47 PMDon’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 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 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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pre-sliced-Olli-calabrese-4-ounceOlli SalumeriaCheese Club
Calabrese
Oceanside, California

A spicy salami that gets its kick from cayenne pepper and paprika. It is zesty, yet not overpowering.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Red Zinfandels make the perfect accompaniment to this salami. For craft beer, reach for a Belgian-style Golden Ale or a hoppy IPA to balance the spice of the salami.

WINESTYLES: Mellow or Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean; or Hoppy & Bitter

ABOUT OLLI SALUMERIA:
Owner, Oliviero (or Olli) grew up in a family of salumi makers. In 1850, his great grandfather was already making salami in Norcia, Italy. By 1900, his family moved to Rome, opening many salumi stores throughout a larger market.  By 1950, his grandfather started a manufacturing business, that had later grown to be the most successful salumi business in Rome. Born in Rome in 1978, Oliviero spent many years learning from his grandfather. By 2010, he moved to the United States to start his own company, Olli Salumeria, using the traditional techniques learned from his family. Learn more about their story here >

Cypress Grove humboldt fog cheeseCypress Grove
Humboldt Fog
Arcata, California

The Original American Original® was conceived in a dream, states founder Mary Keehn. Her creation opened the door for soft-ripened goat cheese in America. Each handcrafted wheel features a distinctive ribbon of edible vegetable ash. On the palate, there are flavors of buttermilk and fresh cream, complemented with floral notes, herbaceous overtones, and a clean citrus finish. As Humboldt Fog matures, the cream-line develops and the flavor intensifies.

FOOD PAIRING: Drizzle it with honey and serve with prosciutto, tart apple and Marcona almonds; or crumble it over a salad for a delicious treat. Try this recipe >

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING:
Young Humboldt: Demi-sec sparkling or Sauvignon Blanc wines. IPA, Porter or Wheat craft beer.
Ripe Humboldt Fog: Pinot Grigio, Rosé, Sweet Sherry, Vouray wines or enjoy with a Pale Ale craft beer.
Mature Humboldt Fog: Pinot Noir or Zinfandel wines or IPA or Stout craft beer.

WINESTYLES: Crisp, Mellow
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean or Malty and Sweet

ABOUT CYPRESS GROVE: Cypress Grove is located on the rural north coast of California. Cypress Grove founder, Mary Keehn, had a dream of a soft-ripened goat cheese that later became an award-winning, recognized cheese; this creation fueled the growth to one of the most popular creameries in the country. Learn more about her story > 

Screen Shot 2021-06-28 at 7.24.47 PMDon’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 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 cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

July Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubKynthos HalloumiKynthos
Halloumi
Cyprus, Greece

A traditional cheese of Cyprus, Greece, the Kynthos Halloumi will have you feeling like you’re surrounded by the turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Greece. Made of cow’s milk, sheep’s milk and goat’s milk, this cheese has a very low acid content, making it the perfect grilling or frying cheese. Halloumi often resembles a much firmer and saltier block of clean, light mozzarella. 

FOOD PAIRING: This is cheese is a great blank slate to all sorts of dishes. Try grilled, fried, baked, sautéed, or simply on its own. Chop up with watermelon for a fun summer salad, or add any sauce on top of your baked cheese – perfect for a summer BBQ. Try one of Kynthos’ Grilled Halloumi recipes here.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Crisp and fruity wines, such as a Rosé make a perfect accompaniment to this cheese. Look for a Greek wine – what grows together, goes together! For craft beer, reach for a crisp and clean brew.

WINESTYLES: Crisp or Fruity
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

“Halloumi has been increasingly eaten all over the world since its creation in what is now known as the Middle Eastern island country of Cyprus back during the Medieval Byzantine period which started in 395 AD. Halloumi is widely recognized throughout the Mediterranean as the crowning cheese jewel of Cyprus cuisine as well as in neighboring Turkey and Greece.” – Kynthos

Gril

Regular-kefalotyriKourellas
Kefaloytre
Grevena, Greece

Kefaloytre is a classic cheese of Greece. It is a hard, aged cheese made up of pasteurized sheep and goat’s milk. The Kourellas family keep things traditional by salting the cheese by hand as it matures. Dating back to the Byzantine era, Kefalotyri is believed to be the ancestor of most hard Greek cheeses.

FOOD PAIRING: This cheese is an essential ingredient in classic Greek dishes, such as moussaka, pastitsio, or spanakopita. Grate over pasta, serve shavings with pears and grapes, or fry a couple slices with your eggs.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Similar to the Halloumi pairings, search for something crisp and fruity, such as a Rosé. Even better, look for a Greek wine to accompany your cheese! For craft beer, stick with a crisp and clean brew.

WINESTYLES: Crisp or Fruity
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

ABOUT KOURELLAS DAIRY:
Greece’s first organic dairy, the Kourellas family has been making traditional Greek dairy since 1960. Their family farm sits in Grevena, a region known for its exceptional dairy products. Although over the years they have outgrown their original dairy, they continue to maintain the same standards of quality and recipes passed down from generation to generation. Learn more about their story here.

Screen Shot 2021-06-28 at 7.24.47 PMDon’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 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 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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Cheese ClubRocchetta CheeseCaseificio dell’Alta Langa
Rocchetta
Italy

The Rocchetta is a blend of three different milks, pasteurized cow’s milk, pasteurized sheep’s milk and pasteurized goat’s milk. It is a slightly ripened soft cheese, without holes, and an edible white/straw yellow rind. Short and careful aging create a creamy balance, allowing the sweetness and acidity to melt together. The palate highlights flavors of butter and crème fraiche.

FOOD PAIRING: This cheese eats well on its own, or served alongside cured meats and jams, or in a salad.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: The Caseificio dell’Alta Langa Rocchetta cheese pairs well with Italian wines, such as our June Primary White Wine Club wine, or a crisp Pinot Grigio. For beer, reach for a Weiss Beer or any pilsner

WINESTYLES: Crisp
BEERSTYLES: Crisp and Clean

ABOUT CASEIFICIO DELL’ALTA LANGA:
Based in the Piedmont Hills of Italy, in a small village called Bosia, Caseificio dell’Alta Langa continues to follow traditions of the people who have inhabited this land for centuries. The territory is made up of steep slopes where goats, sheep and cows are herded and modest amounts of milk is milked and produced each day. Learn more about their story here.

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 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 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 >

 

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 >

March Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubPour Me A SliceBeehive Cheese Company
Pour Me A Slice
Uintah, Utah, USA

‘Pour Me A Slice’ is sweet and creamy. Beehive Cheese partnered with their good friends at Basil Hayden’s to create a cheese infused with their Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. As you near the rind, the spiciness of the bourbon becomes more pronounced. This beauty will be enjoyed by bourbon and cheese enthusiasts alike.

“We love pioneers and explorers. That’s what makes our partnership with Basil Hayden’s so exciting. Basil Hayden Sr. began distilling his Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in 1796 using his own mash based on what he had on hand. Unconstrained by the rules of traditional bourbon, he discovered what we now call “high-rye”. At Beehive Cheese, we can relate to breaking rules and going our own direction. Since our founding, we have produced unique and complex cheeses that are leaders in their category of American cheeses.” – Beehive Cheese Company LLC

FOOD PAIRING: Pair with toasted nuts, chocolate, berries, and charcuterie. 

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Drink along with any of Basil Hayden’s premium bourbons, medium to full-bodied red wines, ales of all kinds and ciders.

WINESTYLES: Mellow and Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean; Sour, Tart & Funky; or Malty & Sweet

Pour Me A Slice_Basil Hayden's

© Photo by Beehive Cheese Company

Barely BuzzedBeehive Cheese Company
Barely Buzzed
Uintah, Utah, USA

This Utah Cheddar is rubbed with espresso and lavender, and is a winner of 20 major awards. Barely Buzzed is the perfect party cheese. It’s easy to pair, stunning to look at, and always the center of attention on the cheese board. The espresso and lavender rub imparts notes of butterscotch and caramel, which are prevalent near the rind, but find their way to the center of the cheese. This is a full-bodied cheese with a nutty flavor and smooth texture. Hours after it’s made, the special grind is rubbed on the rind. The 20-pound wheel ages for 6-8 months. As it ages, Beehive’s cheesemakers test each batch to determine the right time to introduce the wheel into the world. Learn more about the story behind Barely Buzzed here. 

FOOD PAIRING: Pair with Toasted Nuts, Chocolate, Berries and Charcuterie

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Drink with medium to full-bodied red wines, ports, ales of all kinds, stouts, and ciders

AWARDS:

  • 1st Place, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 American Cheese Society
  • 3rd Place 2012, 2014 World Cheese Awards

WINESTYLES: Mellow and Bold
BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean; Sour, Tart & Funky; Malty & Sweet; or Dark & Roasty

Barely Buzzed_Cheese Board

© Photo by Beehive Cheese Company

ABOUT BEEHIVE CHEESE COMPANY:
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 Beehive Cheese Company’s story here.

Founders - Pat and Tim

© Photo by Beehive Cheese Company


ABOUT THE FOUNDERS:
Pat Ford:

Pat Ford

© Photo by Beehive Cheese Company – Pat Ford

Pat Ford has grown Beehive Cheese into an industry leading maker through his relentless positivity and enthusiasm for customer service. His career in sales has spanned over several decades to include real estate development, business to business software sales, and a brief stint in fire truck sales. Service is very important to Pat. He’s been an active member of the American Cheese Society (ACS) for the last 15 years and served on the Board of Directors for six years. During his tenure on the ACS board, he played an important role in Pat Ford 19 the creation of the Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) program. When he isn’t busy traveling the world with his wife, Jeanette, you can usually find him driving a tractor (or mule) on his ranch. He’s a proud father of five and a grandpa to nine spunky, cheese loving grandkids.

Tim Welsh:

Tim Welsh

© Photo by Beehive Cheese Company – Tim Welsh

Before starting Beehive Cheese he worked in the fast-paced world of software and technology. He founded Beehive Cheese with his brother-in-law, Pat Ford. Tim poured every ounce of passion into making exceptional, award-winning cheese. Supporting local arts is very important to Tim. Tim has served on the Advisory Board at Red Butte Garden / University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He also serves on the Board of the California Artisan Cheese Guild. His charitable interests include the Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music Festival and their year-round events. Tim has traveled the world with his wife, Kari, and three sons—all of whom work at Beehive. He enjoys cooking, taking in a concert at Red Butte Garden, and snuggles with his two pups, Noodle and Gypsy

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 >

February Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubHook’s Cheese Company, Inc.
10 Year Cheddar
Wisconsin, USA

Hook's 10 Year CheddarThis 10 year cheddar won 1st place at the 2006 American Cheese Society Show, the only 10 year cheddar to get a 1st place in this, or any competition. It has more calcium crystals than Hook’s 7 year cheddar. It has a full, rich cheddar flavor with a smooth finish.

The 10 year cheddar has calcium lactate crystals. These have the texture of salt but have no flavor. More crystals develop as the cheddars get older. The 10 year has a rich, kind of creamy, slightly acidic but more of a fruity note to it.

FOOD PAIRING: Make a yummy cheese and charcuterie board with dried fruits, quince paste, olives, pate, cornichon pickles, grained mustard, peppadew peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, assorted salami and prosciutto.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing wine with this cheese, reach for a big, bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or Merlot; for beer, look for something a Cider or something malty and sweet, such as a Scotch Ale or an Oatmeal Stout.

WINESTYLES: Bold
BEERSTYLES: Malty & Sweet

Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.
Triple Play Extra Innings
Wisconsin, USA

Hook's Extra InningsA fantastic blend of three types of milk – cow, sheep, and goat.  Flavor notes that come through – Baby Swiss, Havarti and Gouda. Aged over a year.  At this point the Gouda flavor has become more prevalent and crystals have started to form.

FOOD PAIRING:
Dried apricots, dried cherries, sliced apples and pears; as well as flatbread, sesame breadsticks, olive tapenade, and shelled pistachios.

WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: When pairing wine with this cheese, reach for a Zinfandel; for beer, look for something Hoppy and Bitter such as an IPA.

WINESTYLES: Bold
BEERSTYLES: Hoppy & Bitter

Hook's Cheese Company

© Photo by Hook’s Cheese Company, Inc.


ABOUT HOOK’S CHEESE COMPANY:
In 1970 Tony Hook began apprenticing at a small cheese factory in Barneveld and got his cheesemakers license in 1972. In 1976, college sweethearts, Tony and Julie, formed Hook’s Cheese Company. At that time they only produced Cheddar and some Swiss. Since then, they have not only grown into a much larger factory, they have also expanded their lines of cheese. This duo continues to produce award winning cheeses including Colby, Monterey Jack, Maple Jack, Muenster, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Parmesan, Swiss, Havarti, Gouda, Blue Cheese and many others. To learn more about the Hook’s family and the cheeses they produce, click 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 >