Why Artisanal Cheeses??

Artisanal cheeses are like wines, each producer takes pride in the production of these cheeses, as well as in the care of the animal used, what they eat, when they eat it. The terroir affects the outcome of each cheese and the beautiful thing is that two cheeses made in the same farm by the same family will never taste the same. It is sort of like wines. I have been tasting artisanal cheeses and pairing them witn wines for almost ten years. I love the fact that this is a sustainable food. Artisanal cheeses will cost more than factory made ones, this is because most of the families making them run small operations with limited production and high operating costs. It is a fair market value for sustainable living. Besides a little bit of cheese goes a long way! I will be bringing my passion of cheese and wine to Astoria teaming up with my good friends at Rapture Lounge. I will also be starting up a cheese club for those who want to learn a little more about artisanal cheeses, pairing them with wines and beer, some playful tastings with champagne . We will be matching Terroir, Regions, type of milk, grape varietal, soft, semi soft, hard and blues. All of these in a very casual and laid back atmosphere. I would love some suggestions on wines that might not be as well known, cheeses too. Let's get pass the Manchego , the brie... there is a world of cheeses waiting to be conquered.

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Permalink Reply by KidMurdock on June 11, 2009 at 10:49am: You might want to think about talking to the owners of Off The Vine. They are one of the most knowledgable wine shops in the neighborhood, and every time I have a pairing question they've always got a great recommendation, and they frequently hold tastings. A really great wine and cheese tasting would go over really well, I would think.
They're located at 45th St & 30th Ave.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee on June 11, 2009 at 10:56am: Thanks for the info, I will definitely keep it in mind. Sounds like a great place Off The Vine! I drink tons of wine so I will make sure to stop by soon!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ran Craycraft on June 11, 2009 at 11:14am: They're having a free tasting tomorrow pairing food from Les Minots Bistro--definitely recommend it. If you go, mention WLA to John Paul--he'll be happy to hear from you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee on June 11, 2009 at 11:24am: Excellent, I will definitely stop by!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee on June 21, 2009 at 8:23pm: I went to Off the Vine a few weeks ago, when they had the portuguese wine tasting..looks like a great venue!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jen Rock on June 11, 2009 at 12:06pm: What a fantastic idea! I just started venturing into the realm of cheese making myself, and have been wanting to learn how to pair with wines forever, but cost has been prohibitive and I never jumped in to the tasting melee.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee on June 11, 2009 at 12:29pm: Thanks for joining! I hope to have a lot of tastings this summer. Anything in particular you would like to taste?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jen Rock on June 11, 2009 at 12:35pm: I have an particular love of soft aged cheeses, the kind you can spread on a piece of bread without effort. I'd like to learn more about them and how to pair those particularly, they are definitely my favorite!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee on June 11, 2009 at 12:40pm: I will keep that in mind... the soft ones usually go well with champagne or a nice desert wine...but we can do a class on Triple Cremes and other soft ones...; ▶ Reply to This