This Weekend's Pairing

Hello cheese aficionados, it's Xian the Guest Blogger here subbing in for Agela the Normal Blogger.

We've got a fresh and exciting pairing for you to taste this weekend. We're pairing Pholia Farm's Hillis Peak with Graham Beck's "The Game Reserve" Chenin Blanc.

Let's talk about the wine. I typically have an irrational stigma against people whose full name consists of two last names, but Graham Beck seems like a pretty cool dude. This third generation winemaker from South Africa preserves three acres of land for everyone one acre he has under planting, his employees live free on site, and he pays for their tots' education. He's a regular South African George Clooney if you ask me! But it gets better.

Let's talk about things that are relevant to you, Gourmet Shopper. His wine exhibits juicy ripe pineapple, melons, peaches, and apples, and finishes with a long, clean aftertaste. It's a fantastic example of Chenin Blanc done well, and the winemaker recommends it with spicy dishes, grilled meats, and rich pastas. We recommend it with cheese!

The bright fruit in the vino would really pair wonderfully with a rich, aged Pygmy goat's milk cheese due to the low moisture and high fat content a cheese of that type would exhibit. Too bad we don't have any cheese like that. Kidding! (Or "jk" since we're "blogging" here.) We've actually got a great cheese like that!

It's called Hillis Peak, it's from Oregon, and it's a paprika-rubbed goat's milk cheese that's aged 6-7 months. It's semi-firm and has wonderfully creamy and herbal notes. This treasure is also in very short supply, because, as the cheesemaker says, "If we don't know the doe's name, we have too many goats." Well then I would assume it's a very serious farm since there's not much kidding going on. Get it? Wocka wocka.

Come on in and get a free taste of these two fine examples of artisan food and drink. Or you could just trust me and buy some on our webstore from the warmth and safety of your own house.