Ball Square Fine Wines: Cheese Seminar

Ball Square Fine Wines will soon be holding their first-ever cheese seminar, the Domestic-Majestic, on Wednesday, April 14 from 5-7pm. It is a free event and open to all who are interested in learning more about cheese. Who doesn't love cheese, especially artisan cheese?

Come meet and talk with Ellen Sheerin of local cheese importer Sheila Marie Imports (of Medford). The selected cheese makers only use organic, unpasteurized milk from grass fed cows and they do not use chemicals or preservatives. The cheeses include the following:

Rogue Creamery “Smoky Blue": Rogue creamery was the first on the west coast to make blue cheese, and this offering is their first smoked blue cheese. Smokey Blue is richly marbled with intense blue veins, while the texture adds balance by remaining creamy. The smoke gives this cheese an added woody, nutty depth all its own. Pair with big oaky reds with a touch of sweetness like our 2001 Castillo Labasitda Reserva Rioja, or the 2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet. Nut brown ales or other full bodied sweet beers work well, too.
$24.99/ lbs (Special Tasting price: $22.99/lbs)

Rogue Creamery Cheddar with Lavender: The name says it all! This is a sharp, British style cheddar laced with fresh lavender. A likeable dry cheese with a distinctive fragrant finish. An excellent mate for an earthy and herbacious red, such as our 2008 Benegas Libertad Vineyard Malbec or something from the south of France, like 2007 Coupe Roses Minervois. For a real treat, go with a cool Provencal rosé like the 2009 Houchart.
$21.99/ lbs (Special Tasting price: $19.99/lbs)

Sweet Grass Dairy "Green Hill" soft-ripened cheese: This award winning Camembert style cheese is the pride of the line for Georgia's Sweet Grass Dairy. Made with organic milk from their own grass fed cows, this bloomy rind cheese finds no better match than the Gruet Brut domestic sparkler. It's also great with any clean, crisp warm weather white such as the 2009 Domaine Haut Marin Cuvee Marin white.
$13.99/ 8 oz wheel (Special Tasting price: $11.99/lbs)

Uplands Cheese Company "Pleasant Ridge Reserve": This firm cheese is made in Wisconsin in the tradition of the great alpine cheeses of France and Switzerland. It is aged in limestone caves, and the rind is washed frequently in a brine solution, resulting in a sharp cheese with a piquant earthy note throughout. A fine match with fatter whites, like the 2008 Nyakas Olivier, or medium bodied rustic reds like the 2007 Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone rouge or the 2007 Acquaviva “Nero” Morellino di Scansano. Watch out! It's a real treat with Belgian beers.
$26.99/lbs (Special Tasting price: $23.99/lbs)