CHEESE BOX 68 –

December 24

Welcome to our Cheese box 68 – December 24! 

Have a Merry Christmas & support NZ cheese makers

A huge Merry Christmas from us at The Cheese Wheel to you our beloved Cheese Wheelers. You can help people you care about have a Merry Christmas too by spoiling them with a cheese box subscription (starting from just a couple of months). Our limited edition Christmas boxes (they are fabulous) are selling quickly so make sure you order soon. Give the gift of cheese this Christmas and support local cheese makers!

Vrolijk Kerstfeest

We feature the most excellent Vintage Maasdam from Karikaas this month. It’s easy to forget how good these classic styles are. It’s one of the many big contributions Dutch migrants have made to our country and Karikaas is one of a few cheesemakers with Dutch heritage (“kaas” is Dutch for cheese and “Kari” is a portmanteau of the first letters of the two founders ‘ names). Enjoy this vintage Maasdam made for you by Diana, Alan and the Karikaas team.

BLUE – FROM LITTLE RIVER ESTATE

This cheese is rich and creamy with a slight spicy note. It has a gentle blue flavour achieving a great balance between the blue and saltiness which just melts in the mouth. A great addition to any cheese board, and, this A2 milk blue cheese not only tastes good but is good on the stomach. Try it on fresh bread with a big buttery Chardonnay (back in fashion yet again!), a traditional bitter beer, or a cup of black tea.

Region: Nelson-Tasman. Type of milk: cow

MIXED HERB MARINATED CHEESE – FROM CILANTRO

 Another spectacular goat cheese from our friends in the Waikato, made by Suli their talented cheese maker. This is perfect on your favourite cracker or slice of baguette and even better with a light bubbles, lager or lemonade

Region: Waikato. Type of milk: goat

RUBY BAY – FROM EVANSDALE CHEESE

“Semi-hard cheese” used to be something you’d say when you just had to put up with bad luck. This cheese is definitely good luck on a cheeseboard. The wax keeps the moisture in but this one is a slightly drier style with a soft buttery flavour. Double down on the butter tones with another glass of big buttery Chardonnay, a crisp Pils or a flavoured water.

Region: Otago. Type of milk: cow

VINTAGE MAASDAM – FROM KARIKAAS CHEESE

Maasdam differs from Gouda because a special bacteria is added and the cheese is then hot-housed to encourage bacterial growth (which leads to the holes). Perfect in a sandwich with a Pinot Gris, a light IPA or a light Kombucha.

Region: Canterbury. Type of milk: cow