Weekly Pairing and Free Tasting

As the seasons change, our cheese case and wine wall do as well. This week we're showcasing Queso de la Serena from Spain and 2006 Vinaceaous "Red Right Hand" from Australia.

Queso de la Serena is a bold creamy cheese from Extremadura, Spain in the southwest of the country. Rich and buttery, it has notes of grasses, fruits and even roast lamb. Interesting fact: The rennet used in this cheese comes from thistle making this a tangy, grassy, creamy, strong cheese,that is vegetarian friendly.

To drink, we suggest one of our new friends on the wine wall, the "Red Right Hand" from McLaren Vale along the southern coast of Australia. This wine is a blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Temranillo grapes. Plum, raspberry jam, nutmeg and vanilla are well balanced by kid-glove leather and gunsmoke. Complex, mysterious and dark this medium to full bodied wine is a great partner for the big bold flavors of the Queso de la Serena.



Don't forget, this Saturday is our free monthly wine tasting at the Loop location. This month we're featuring "Handmade Wines". Come join us from 6:30pm until the last drop is poured to find out what makes these wines so special.

New Pairing

This week we're showcasing Montegrappa from Veneto, Italy and the 2006 Horsley Vineyards Syrah from Dunnigan Hills, California.

Montegrappa is a cows milk cheese that has been around for centuries. Just like it's namesake, the imposing Mount Grappa this cheese is impressive. After aging for eight months the cheese takes on a sweet and slightly nutty flavor. This cheese is great for a cheese board, shaving over a salad, or grating into your pasta.

The Horsley Vineyards Syrah is one of our favorite styles of Syrah. Rich, deeply fruity with lots of spice, earth and leather. This is a medium to full bodied wine with soft tannins. A great glass one it's own, or paired with cheese, roasted meat, chicken and game.

Looking For Something To Do?

This city is full of great things to do and this week we're showcasing a few that we're particularly excited about.

  

This Thursday you can explore the world of beer pairing at the "A Taste of Fall Event" being held at Goose Island Brewery from 6:30-10:30.  Proceeds benefit the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.

Looking for something creative?  Why not head over to the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts. Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 10-5. Take a stroll on Broadway going south from Roscoe to Belmont and check out all of the great works on display. If you visit the Intelligentsia down on Randolph and Wabash you can get a preview of Jason Brammer's art hanging on their walls.

Prefer something more filling?  The Chicago Gourmet event is also going on this weekend.  Chicago has got a lot of food talent, and you've got the opportunity to sample from some of the best chefs and restaurants in the country.  We're also going to be there with a Midwest Cheese Tent and perhaps some special cheese guest stars!  Come on by and visit!

-Agela