CHEESE

Alpine-Style

Al-pahyn
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The Alps have been home to gruyere and other alpine-style cheeses since the 11th century. These cooked and pressed, white-to-golden cheeses were handcrafted to weather the frequent snow-packed storms raging through the Alps. Lucky for us, immigrants from this region settled in Wisconsin and have passed down these traditions. Wisconsin cheesemakers continue to craft these classic alpine-style cheeses using old-world techniques including copper vats. With the addition of Wisconsin's innovation, we are just beginning to realize the sky’s-the-limit potential of these nutty, rich, full-bodied cheeses. Whether it’s blizzardy outside or not, anytime is the right time for these wonderful wonders from Wisconsin!

Appearance

Ivory to pale yellow and often with a light brown washed rind

Texture

Firm but never dry

Flavor

Nutty and sweet and full of snow-kissed, alpine flavor

30

Cheese Image

Performance Notes

Because the outside of these surface-ripened cheeses have been hand-rubbed with a smear as they age, you will want to carefully remove the rind before grating, slicing, melting or serving these exquisite cheeses.

Pairing Notes

Mountain cheeses like a robust drink with a slight sweetness, so we recommend Belgian-style ales, ambers, brown ales, bocks and stouts. For wine, any fruit-forward red or white such as cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, beaujolais, riesling or grüner veltliner will do. Want more punch? Port, madeira, scotch and rye whiskey all love our alpine cheeses.

Beer & Cider

American Pale Lager

Belgian Ale

Bock

Brown Ale

Porter

Stout

Wheat Ale

Liquor

Bourbon

Old Fashioned

Scotch

Red Wine

Beaujolais

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Pinot Noir

Syrah

White Wine

Chardonnay

Riesling

Sauvignon Blanc

Serve

These are our go-to fall and winter melters. They have such great flavor and texture and they melt with such ease. We love to cube them into fondue, grate them into gratins, quiches, savory tarts and soufflés, and thinly slice them onto alpine-style soups like French Onion. If we’re including them on a cheese board, we often pair them with a whole grain crusty bread, oil-cured mushrooms, pickled vegetables, smoked fish and meats along with roasted nuts.