T.S. Eliot wrote: April is the cruelest month. Maybe so when we’re talking about perpetually frizzy hair, pasty white legs yearning for summer bronze, and stirring dull roots with spring rain (more T.S.). But not so when we’re talking about cheese! April is the most generous of months, with the young goat and sheep’s milk cheeses making their seasonal debut, and last summer’s Alpine cheeses settling into a new layer of complexity. I find my mind wandering to the lush, goat-filled Loire Valley in France, and rows of soft-ripened cheeses steadily growing wisps of white mould on their their ashy surfaces. Bring on the picnic basket, crusty baguette and chilled vino and look for theses cheeses to celebrate the spring season:
- Loire valley goat’s milk cheeses: Selles sur Cher, Valencay, Sainte Maure.
- Mixed milk cheeses from Provence: Banon, Saint Marcellin.
- Iberian soft sheep’s milk cheeses: Azeitao, Torta del Casar.
Seattle is hosting its fourth annual Cheese Festival from May 18th – 20th, bringing cheese makers and cheese lovers together at the Pike Place market downtown. Some of my favorite cheese people in the world will be there, including the Brits from Neal’s Yard, the masters of American blue from Rogue River, and one of my dearest mentors Daphne Zepos, fromager and affineur extraordinaire who will be speaking as a panelist. While the festival turns 4, I turn the big 3-0 that weekend, and my only plans at the moment involve copious amounts of wine and close proximity to my husband and loved ones in NYC. But I urge you, my fellow cheesaholics, to go west and explore what the Seattle Cheese Festival has to offer. For more info click here.
FREE EVENT! Saturday February 3rd
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Located in the north of Spain, Navarra boasts a long and rich history of agriculture and gastronomic culture. This ancient kingdom has captivated all who visit, from the pilgrims who traversed the mountainous El Camino de Santiago, to Hemingway running the bulls in Pamplona. Join us for a tasting of artisan cheeses and wines from the region, and find out why people are falling in love with Navarra. This event is free and open to the public! Cheeses provided by Despaña Brand Foods and wines provided by Astor Wines & Spirits. Waldemar and Nadia will serve the cheese and will answer all your cheese questions! Guests will be offered 15% off the featured wines for purchase.
Astor Wines & Spirits is located at 399 Lafayette Street (at 4th St), New York, NY 10003. (212) 674-7500.