We have Carr Valley's Menage, Cocoa Cardona, 4 year cheddar block, and Apple Smoked Cheddar. Or perhaps a Sartori selection - bold asiago, crunchy Sarvechio, and any number of Bellevitano flavors! Marieke goudas from foenegreek, to black mustard seed, to smoked. Blaser's Antonella's in several savory flavors. Roth Kase and Sugarbrook with Gruyere, Butterkase, Buttermilk Blue Affine and holiday spreads, too!
Not to mention our European Collection - Bucherolle - a delicate and lovely soft ripened goat cheese with white fuzzy external mold. Beautiful served with a heated apricot compote and your favorite Champagne or buttery Chardonnay. If you're in the mood for international, we can 'fly' you from Italy to France to Spain and back! Need something unique but small - Pave Sauvage is a goat chevre from France that is rolled in Tarragon and 3 peppercorns: Place on a few sprigs of juniper or evergreen for a unique intimate plated presentation. Need something more outlandish - try a Langres - the beautiful squiggly ripened cheese with the final of pouring champagne into the well of the cheese.
Got all your cheeses selected and purchased? Perhaps, you just need a between course palate cleanser for the big meal? I have just the thing for you. We recently received a Fromage Blanc made by Vermont Butter and Cheese Company. We made up their recipe for a light and refreshing dip, and I have been using it in store with sliced broccoli chips and florets as an appetizer. Stop in for a tub and a recipe card.
Some thoughts on a staged Carr Valley Christmas dinner pairing:
I recommend serving the Menage as an aperitif with a light bubbly. You can serve the Cocoa Cardona after the salad with a buttery Chardonnay. After soup, I'd serve the 4 year Cheddar, I'd be looking for a great merlot, full of black and red summer fruit to complement the saltiness of the aging cheddar and amplify its sweetness. After your entree course, I recommend finishing with the Apple Smoked Cheddar and a sherry like Duet, classically deep amber colored with hazelnut overtones. The fortified wine is a perfect foil for the heavier cheddar, and it's overlying sweetness enhances the fruitwood smokiness.
Enjoy!
