Le Tastevin - Notes on Cheeses – September 11, 2024

The cheeses are from both York Food and Drink and Kroger's (Murray's Cheese), the bread from Plum Market in Ann Arbor. One cheese is new to our club, another received very favorable feedback from a previous offering. The other cheese is new for our club. Both cheeses should compliment our Burgundy wines nicely.

Beemster Goat's Milk Gouda (pasteurized Goat's Milk, Salt, Cheese Culture, Microbial Rennet) is the newest cheese in Beemster's award-winning lineup. In Holland, there are select farmers in the Beemster polder who have always kept a few goats to satisfy local residents who want fresh goats' milk. The Beemster goats graze on the same land as their cows, making their milk just as unique and flavorful. Beemster uses their artisan cheese making techniques to craft a goat's milk cheese. Aged for 4 months, this cheese exhibits a wonderfully clean, sweet taste and smooth texture. Decidedly different from fresh chevre, this cheese should also pair well with tonight's wines and make a nice change from a usual gouda that follows.

Cambozola (pasteurized Cow's milk) hails from the Allgäu region of southern Germany and is produced by Käserei Champignon. Cambozola emerged in the 1900s and underwent a revamp to become the show-stopper it is today. Its creamy texture envelops the palate, while its subtle blue veins deliver a gentle, slightly pungent flavor – a harmonious balance. Cambozola cheese is a mild and creamy, the obvious influence from Camembert, with a subtle fusion of blue flavor, which the veins of Gorgonzola introduce a gentle touch of sharpness and complexity without overwhelming the palate. Moreover, a bloomy rind that’s edible adds a slight mushroomy note to its overall flavor profile. The cheese’s high-fat content contributes to its luxurious texture and rich taste, making it an interesting cheese for tonight's wines of aged Pinot Noir, but also pairs nicely with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Riesling and Chardonnay.

Page last updated: September 23, 2024 (EB)

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