We've got a lot going on this week and it all involves wine!
Today at our Lakeview store from 6:30-8pm we are proud to have Michael de Schaaf of Hickory Creek Winery in Michigan pouring some tasty samples and answering any questions you might have.
Monday, 6/1 from 5-7pm at our Loop location Albert Jane of Acustic Cellars in Spain will be pouring.
On Thursday 6/4 from 5-7pm at our Loop location Justin Vajgert of Reininger Winery in Washington State will be joining us.
Of course on Saturday 6/6 from 6:30-8:30pm we will be having our monthly free wine tasting at our Loop location. This months theme is "Take it Outside". We'll be showcasing great wines that you can enjoy all summer long.
This week is a great week for meeting the maker, and meeting some new wines. All of the events are free of charge.
After months of enduring the cold yuck that is a Chicago winter we are coming upon the best time of year. It's time to go out and enjoy all the city has to offer. Millenium Park is right around the corner from our Loop store. The Ravinia music festival is a great way to see your favorite artist and enjoy the beauty of the city. And of course a summer in Chicago wouldn't be complete without a visit to the lakefront. We've got the perfect wine for your outing or barbecue. Come in and see what's new on our shelves and then go on and "Take it Outside"!
-Agela
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Neal's Yard Dairy
A few months ago we did an in-store demo of opening a new wheel of Montgomery's English Farmhouse Cheddar. It's easy to tell why this cheese is a staff favorite with it's big flavors and acidity that keeps you coming back for "just one more nibble". Well, earlier this month I was on a short holiday to London, and I had the great opportunity to meet some of the folks over at Neal's Yard Dairy.
We usually have a few cheeses from Neal's Yard Dairy in the case. Stilton, Keen's Cheddar, Berkswell, Ardrahan, Coolea, Stichelton and of course Montgomery's have all spent time in our case, and in your homes, but how do we get such good wheels of cheese and what's Neal's Yard Dairy?
Neal's Yard Dairy is the premiere cheeseshop and affineur in Britain. They buy directly from the cheesemakers, taking trips out to the farms routinely to pick up cheese. In addition, they are excellent supporters of the cheesemakers. I asked about a favorite cheese of mine and why I hadn't seen it in many many months. Lucy told me that the cheesemakers was working out some kinks, but until she did, Neal's Yard Dairy was not going to be selling her cheese. They're not giving up on her or her cheese. Instead, they are working with the cheesemaker to get her cheese back to its glorious standing. Much more than just a retail store.
How do you feel about Stichelton? Big flavors, lactic, salty, delicious. This cheese is the direct result of Randolph Hodgson the big cheese at Neal's Yard Dairy. Find out more about Randolph here.
Upon first entrance in the Borough shop I came face to face with a wall of Montgomery's Cheddar. I knew it was going to be a good day.
This is one of the four temperature controlled aging rooms at The Railways. The Railways is just that, a cave like enclosure underneath the rails where they store and age the cheese before hand selecting each wheel for wholesale distribution or retail sale.
So who are some of these wonderful people who make cheese from the British Isles available to us here in Chicago? Starting on the left we have Michael Jones, manager of the Borough store. Next to him is Martin Tkalez, manager of the Covent Garden shop, and Lucy Moylan, cheesemistress extraordinaire and my personable tour guide during my time there. Lucy and Jason (not pictured) specifically pick out the wheels of cheese for us here in the U.S. She told me that sometimes she tastes upwards of 50 different cheeses in the decision making process. With that attention to detail, you can be assured that we are getting the very best, and that you are taking home a superior product.
I would like to point out that our own resident Fromagier, Cesar does a lot of the same work with cheesemakers. He has convinced cheesemakers to give us their cheeses to work with, taste, help them develop and sell. If you go to the Green City Market on Saturdays you'll see him selling Leslie Cooperband's Prairie Fruits Farm Cheeses.
This is a picture of Cesar holding a freshly cut wheel of Stichelton just moments before the morning crew pounces on it for a taste.
He's not the only one of our staff out there. Adam sells Leslie's cheese at the Oak Park farmer's market on Saturday, and Alison is going to be selling cheese for Judy Schad of Capriole.
-Agela
We usually have a few cheeses from Neal's Yard Dairy in the case. Stilton, Keen's Cheddar, Berkswell, Ardrahan, Coolea, Stichelton and of course Montgomery's have all spent time in our case, and in your homes, but how do we get such good wheels of cheese and what's Neal's Yard Dairy?
Neal's Yard Dairy is the premiere cheeseshop and affineur in Britain. They buy directly from the cheesemakers, taking trips out to the farms routinely to pick up cheese. In addition, they are excellent supporters of the cheesemakers. I asked about a favorite cheese of mine and why I hadn't seen it in many many months. Lucy told me that the cheesemakers was working out some kinks, but until she did, Neal's Yard Dairy was not going to be selling her cheese. They're not giving up on her or her cheese. Instead, they are working with the cheesemaker to get her cheese back to its glorious standing. Much more than just a retail store.
How do you feel about Stichelton? Big flavors, lactic, salty, delicious. This cheese is the direct result of Randolph Hodgson the big cheese at Neal's Yard Dairy. Find out more about Randolph here.
Upon first entrance in the Borough shop I came face to face with a wall of Montgomery's Cheddar. I knew it was going to be a good day.
This is one of the four temperature controlled aging rooms at The Railways. The Railways is just that, a cave like enclosure underneath the rails where they store and age the cheese before hand selecting each wheel for wholesale distribution or retail sale.
So who are some of these wonderful people who make cheese from the British Isles available to us here in Chicago? Starting on the left we have Michael Jones, manager of the Borough store. Next to him is Martin Tkalez, manager of the Covent Garden shop, and Lucy Moylan, cheesemistress extraordinaire and my personable tour guide during my time there. Lucy and Jason (not pictured) specifically pick out the wheels of cheese for us here in the U.S. She told me that sometimes she tastes upwards of 50 different cheeses in the decision making process. With that attention to detail, you can be assured that we are getting the very best, and that you are taking home a superior product.
I would like to point out that our own resident Fromagier, Cesar does a lot of the same work with cheesemakers. He has convinced cheesemakers to give us their cheeses to work with, taste, help them develop and sell. If you go to the Green City Market on Saturdays you'll see him selling Leslie Cooperband's Prairie Fruits Farm Cheeses.
This is a picture of Cesar holding a freshly cut wheel of Stichelton just moments before the morning crew pounces on it for a taste.
He's not the only one of our staff out there. Adam sells Leslie's cheese at the Oak Park farmer's market on Saturday, and Alison is going to be selling cheese for Judy Schad of Capriole.
-Agela
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
New Pairing
This week we're doing a great pairing with a meet and greet tie in. Our cheese this week is Driftless from sustainable sheep dairy, Hidden Springs Creamery in Wisconsin. Driftless comes in many different flavors like lavender and honey, cinnamon and cranberry, and basil. This cheese can be used in many different ways. It's a delicious filling for stuffed french toast (especially when you use a California loaf), or just spread on a cracker.
Like an artisanally produced treat from Potter's crackers from Wisconsin. These crackers come in a array of flavors like caraway, garlic and baby onion, and rhubarb (a little later in the summer).
Why not try a sparkling wine from Michigan for your beverage. We think that the Blanc de Blanc from L. Mawby is a perfect match. Wine Spectator gave this wine an 89 point rating (a bit low in our opinion, but everyone makes mistakes.)
Tomorrow, Mr. Lawrence Mawby himself will be at our Loop store from 4:30pm until 6:30pm. Sampling out his delicious product and of course answering any questions you may have. Stop by and meet one of our favorite wine makers.
-Agela
Like an artisanally produced treat from Potter's crackers from Wisconsin. These crackers come in a array of flavors like caraway, garlic and baby onion, and rhubarb (a little later in the summer).
Why not try a sparkling wine from Michigan for your beverage. We think that the Blanc de Blanc from L. Mawby is a perfect match. Wine Spectator gave this wine an 89 point rating (a bit low in our opinion, but everyone makes mistakes.)
Tomorrow, Mr. Lawrence Mawby himself will be at our Loop store from 4:30pm until 6:30pm. Sampling out his delicious product and of course answering any questions you may have. Stop by and meet one of our favorite wine makers.
-Agela
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