Weekend Pairing

Here at Pastoral we would like to extend a hearty welcome to all of our new readers and followers! Glad to have you on board. We look forward to your questions and discussions, both here on our blog and on our Facebook page.

This weekend we are pairing an herbed sheep's cheese called Fleur du Maquis. You might have tried this cheese under the name Brin d' Amour. They are the same cheese. Both are covered in a mix of herbs that include dried thyme, rosemary and coriander.

Our wine is the Massaya from Lebanon. This full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend is lovely and rich when drunk alone, but a total knockout with the cheese and some black cherry licorice confit.

-Agela

What's That Smell?

Last night at our monthly staff meeting we had the opportunity to try three brand new additions to the cheese case.

The Fromage d'O'Cow is coming to us from Cato Corner in Connecticut (say that five times fast). If you like washed rind cheeses, this earthy well balanced creamy cheese is right up your alley.

Lancaster Duet from Raymond, Nebraska is a raw mixed milk cheese of both goat and cow. If you like nutty, earthy, creamy cheeses then this Gouda style cheese is right up your alley.

Trio is a new triple cream cheese from Andante Dairy in Petaluma, California. Goat and cows milk with the addition of creme fraiche make this fluffy white cheese an instant favorite!

-Agela

Saturday ( free) Wine Tasting!

Come and join us this coming Saturday, March 7th from 6:30pm-8:30pm for our first free tasting of the New Year! This month we are focusing on Wines and Spirits along with Irish Cheeses for your St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Bring a friend, come in and taste what our wine expert Jan recommends to help make your gathering truly special!

Mark it on your calendar, the first Saturday of every month is a free tasting day at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine's Loop location. Every month our wine guru Jan comes up with a new theme. In the past we have done "Wines under $20", "Wines from Long Island", and "Dessert Wines". The tastings are always free, and always open to the public.

-Agela