For October the Co-op's monthly Cheesy Wine Down Wednesday tasting class participants wanted to sample festive German and Swiss cheeses, and what a great suggestion!
The Co-op's Cheese Buyer, Suzy sourced us some great new cheeses to try along with the Co-op's Wines of the Month from Van Ruiten Family Winery.
We tried Bauer Butterkäse, a Cambazola, König Ludwig Bierkäse and the dreaded smelly Limburger from Germany. As I held my nose to try the Limburger I was surprised that the cheese definitely had a strong flavor that wasn't too bad. Definitely worth the try, though I am not sure you will find it in my shopping basket. The Butterkäse was delightfully creamy and salty, I can see using it in grilled sandwiches or wraps in my future.
From Switzerland, we tried The Red Witch, Gruyère and Nufenen. The Red Witch is a fun October cheese as the wheel has a huge red witch silhouette on it with a paprika rub on the rind. It's an alpine style cheese that is silky with a meaty flavor. You will definitely want to try this with a bold red wine.
Lastly we tried a cheese with Swiss origins but created closer to home, Reading Raclette from Vermont. Some of you may know raclette as an entire dish of its own, melted and served with potatos and gherkins, but this cheese definitely deserves its place on a cheese board as well. A great cheese for cool nights with a cup of hot tea or cider.
The Wines of the Month for October are really something special from the Van Ruiten Winery in California. You will find from the Glory Days a Chardonnay, Merlot, Old Vine Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. All four wines had fruity flavors that went well with our cheeses. I personally thought the zinfandel with the Red Witch was a great combo. The pepperiness of the wine complemented the nutty and meaty flavors of the cheese.
And last but not least as we wrapped the evening up with the Bakery Box serving their Cheesecake of the Month, Black & White Citrus with a sample of Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin beer. This melt in your mouth dessert will blow your taste buds away! I am a really big fan of chocolate orange and this cheesecake really does take the cake! I don't know how they do it, but our Co-op Bakers can really satisfy the fussiest of palates with their all-natural desserts, you have to try this cheesecake!
So while I need to take a nap after all that cheesy, chocolate orange goodness, get yourself into the Co-op and try for yourself!
Click here for wine and cheese coupons or sign up for our next class.
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