by Sophia Stern
Why we love the cheese
Sunny Ridge is a newer customer favorite and a lovely addition to our cheese case. From the folks at Blakesville Creamery, this beer-washed cheese is well-balanced, fudgey, and tangy. Like all Blakeville goat milk cheeses, it’s made entirely from their own herd of Saanen and Alpine goats. This cheese melts in your mouth like butter and is complexly savory and deliciously bright.
Why we love the wine
Organic wine makers Terre dei Buth have created another stunner with their Frizzante Rosé. This light and bright sparkler is full of flavor and a delight to drink. Aromas of strawberry and raspberry jump out of the glass, followed by notes of redcurrant and gooseberry on the palate. This wine is predominantly made from the Glera grape with a touch of Raboso, a local red grape. This unfussy, straightforward wine is easy to love and enjoy.
Why we love the pairing
Despite the edge of funk from the goat milk and the beer wash, Sunny Ridge has a rather delicate flavor. The Terre dei Buth’s lightness keeps the cheese in the spotlight and there’s enough fruit in the wine to offer a relief from the savory notes of the Sunny Ridge. The wine’s bright fizz cuts through the goat cheese richness, matching acidity and offering a super refreshing mouthfeel with flavors of juicy watermelon.
What else you should do with it
Inspired by the classic Cuban pastry, introducing Guava and Sunny Ridge Pastelitos! Essentially, hand pies. Guava and goat cheese make a delicious sweet and creamy pastry, with just a little tang to keep it interesting. Sunny Ridge will offer an extra gooey, rich characteristic to the traditional pasty. You can find guava paste at many larger grocery stores or Mexican markets around the Cities. Acquiring some high-quality, store-bought puff pastry will make this even easier. You can follow this recipe from the New York Times, but substitute cream cheese for room-temperature Sunny Ridge, making sure you have 170 grams without the rind. Half a pound of Sunny Ridge should cover it.