Savor Culture

Spring has swept into Tennessee, bringing generous rainfall and an explosion of flowers and foliage (and allergies).  For this Fête, I want to celebrate some goodies that come from the Southeast.

One of the most prominent producers of artisan cheese in the Southeast is Sweet Grass Dairy in Thomasville, Georgia.  Founding owners Al and Desiree Wehner were already successful dairy farmers when they purchased Green Hill Dairy and a herd of Jerseys in 1993.  Their efforts to farm more sustainably led them to adopt New Zealand rotational grazing.  In 1995, the Wehners bought Sweet Hill Dairy and began keeping dairy goats.  All the while, Desiree was experimenting with cheesemaking, and the dairy’s 2000 entry into the world of artisan cheese received a lot of attention (and ACS recognition).  The couple’s daughter and her husband, Jessica and Jeremy Little, took over the cheesemaking business in 2003.

Sevenwood, a raw cow’s milk cheese, is washed in balsamic vinegar and aged for four to six months.  It carries the fragrance of hay and pasture and has a dry texture, crumbling gently between the teeth with the occasional crunch of grana.  To me, Sevenwood exhibits the quintessential flavor profile of American artisan, farmstead cow’s milk cheese: a little spicy, a little sweet, buttery, with a base note that lasts ’til next week.  Its fruity flavor releases sensations of white peppercorn and cumin, with hay and butterscotch lingering on the tongue. 

What, you may ask, would you dream up to drink with that?  I left it to the folks at Abita Brewing, and they came up with Strawberry Harvest Lager.  Made with Louisiana-grown strawberries, the seasonal lager is delicately perfumed and lively on the palate.  The pairing of cheese and beer was inspired by their special ingredients:  the combination of strawberries and balsamic vinegar, which makes a luscious dessert.  In this savory application, both cheese and beer seemed vibrant, creating a playful match that suits the springtime.

La Fête du Fromage is a monthly blogging event hosted by Loulou. All cheese lovers are encouraged to participate!

Tags: artisan cheese, Brews, Cow's Milk Cheese, La Fête du Fromage, Louisiana, raw milk cheese, Small Farms