Our Newest Artisan Cheese

A major part of being a cheesemonger is searching for new cheese to sell in our shop. We can't always rely on cheese distributors to find the best of what is out there. Whenever I travel somewhere I taste whatever cheese I can find. Before the St Paul shop opened I took a trip to New York City and visited the finest cheese shops in the city.

That said, I am appalled that non of those fancy big city cheese shops had discovered this gem from the midwest. I think it must be east coast bias and snobbery. Here is a hand-dipped (!) beauty from our neighbors right next door in Wisconsin. It has a sticker seal of approval proclaimin "Wisconsin Finest Cheese" on the wax rind.

It is, we are led to believe, American cheese. I think they're referring to the fact it is produced domestically but I cannot be sure. The descriptors on the front are "Pasteurized Process Colored". Sure we're disappointed that this is not a raw milk cheese and I am not entirely certain what "process" refers to, but I think the fact that they went through the trouble of coloring the cheese makes up for a lot.

This is a limited edition cheese for us. We only have one to sell but it is priced to move at $79.99. The sell by date (I think they mean ripe date) is 11-4-09 so I there is plenty of time to pick out your favorite bottle of wine and plan a majestic meal around this truly artisan cheese.