The hills are alive with the taste of cheeses—alpine cheeses to be exact! Though commonly known as “Swiss” cheeses, the term "alpine" is more accurate as it describes any cheese made in the Alps, a mountain range that extends through Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy. Read more to learn about the features of these cheeses and what gives them their distinct flavors and characteristics.
Looking for the perfect pairings to pump up your holiday get-together? You can’t go wrong with our selection of 90 Point wines under $20, each matched with a delectable cheese to bring out the best flavors in both.
With our simple guide, it couldn’t be easier to make the perfect cheese platter for your holiday entertaining. In fact, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4! Simply select cheeses from each of these four basic groups to create a well-balanced, decadent cheese platter with a variety of styles, milks, ages and textures everyone will enjoy.
A light appetizer cheese board is the perfect way to get your party started. Read on for a suggested combination of cheese, wine and accompaniments perfect for a light snack.
There’s no better time than fall to enjoy a perfectly brewed hard cider — and nothing better to pair it with than a delightful cheese! This season, we’re loving the ciders from Common Cider for their light, crisp flavor with only a hint of sweetness. Check out our favorite brews, along with some suggestions for perfect pairings...
With the holidays fast approaching, you might be starting to think about what sorts of tasty snacks to put out when company comes to town. You can’t go wrong with a nicely composed cheese plate — but don’t just cube some cheddar and call it a day! Try our suggestions for a well-rounded fall cheese tray...
We’re happy to announce that the maker of the delectable d’Affinois, Fromagerie Guilloteau, has now released a new cheese, Campagnier. With a distinctive orange washed rind, this double crème cheese features a lush, buttery texture and subtle fruity flavors. This cheese really shines when paired with fresh fruits — try it with figs, cranberries or sun-dried tomatoes for a delicious appetizer.
We’ve always proudly featured local cheese producers in our Specialty Cheese Department — after all, some of the best cheeses in the world are made right here in Northern California. We recently had the exciting opportunity to add another local cheese producer to our mix: Nicasio Valley Cheese Company. Located in Marin County, they are the only organic farmstead cheese producer in California, meaning that their cheese is made exclusively from the organic milk produced by their own heard of pasture-grazed dairy cows. We love their Foggy Morning cheese, an American Cheese Society award-winning fresh cheese with a soft, pillowy texture and a subtle tang that makes it perfect for summer.
There’s no doubt that French cheeses are lusciously delicious! But how can we rationalize their calories and fat?? According to researchers, eating French cheeses may help explain the “French Paradox,” which is the phenomenon in which the French experience lower cardiovascular rates than those of us in the US, despite their higher intake of saturated fats.
July 14 marks Bastille Day, a French national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille and the start of the French Revolution. Francophiles can celebrate by sampling some of our favorite French cheeses, available in our Specialty Cheese Department.