CHEESE BOX 30 –

CHRISTMAS 21

Welcome to our Cheese box 30 – Christmas 21! 

From all of us here at The Cheese Wheel to you and yours – have a very Merry Christmas!
It’s been a very tough year for many, including more than a few of our wonderful artisan cheesemakers here in Aotearoa. We know some are struggling to survive substantial drops in their revenue as farmers markets and the hospitality trade spent time in lockdown.

So THANKS on their behalf for including stunning NZ artisan cheese in your Christmas celebrations. Enjoy!

MOONSTONE – FROM NIEUWENHUIS

Moonstone is one of a range of goat cheeses by Nieuwenhuis that look a little similar, but all have completely distinctive textures and flavours. This distinctive one has a mushroomy flavour on the outside, and is nutty on the inside. Try it with a rose or a saison.

Region: Hawkes Bay. Type of milk: goat.

WILDFIRE – FROM LITTLE RIVER ESTATE

This is a crazy-good, lightly washed rind named after, well, a wild fire near Little River’s creamery. The paste (the inside) is as good as cheese gets, and it’s smoky, with the rind being just a little bitter. It goes well with cherries or plums.  Go for a pinot noir or a pilsner.

Region: Nelson. Type of milk: cow.

SLEEPING GIANT – FROM ORIGIN EARTH

This outstanding cheddar is named after Te Mata Peak near Origin Earth’s creamery. It’s aged for up to two years so hopefully you’ll encounter some salt crystals as you nibble away. It will go well with grapes, nuts or dates. It’ll probably soften the tannins in a big Cabernet Sauvignon, but will also go well with a red IPA .

Region: Hawkes Bay. Type of milk: sheep.

BLUE RHAPSODY – FROM CARTWHEEL CREAMERY

We got such good feedback for this ‘cheese on horseback’ (and we wanted some more too…) that we couldn’t resist bringing it back for the start of summer.  It gets ever more earthy and fruity as it ages.  Pair it with a bubbly white wine and/or throw some in a salad.

Region: Manawatu. Type of milk: cow.