Cheese at the Wedge
From locally produced cheeses made with the milk of pasture fed cows to fancy high-end, limited availability cheeses, the Wedge Co-op has a stunning array of cheeses at your beck and call.
"I'm very pleased with our artisan cheeses," says Jenna Matthys, Wedge Cheese Manager. "They're farmhouse-produced, slowly crafted, and usually made from milk from smaller herds." Because these artisan cheesemakers use high-quality milk, better-tasting cheese is the result.
"Not only that, there's a closer relationship between the Wedge and these artisan cheesemakers," says Matthys. "We appreciate their quality, and they appreciate our customer's loyalty."
For example, the Wedge carries cheese from Dan French of Pastureland Dairy, located in Winona, MN. This dairy coop makes cheese without the use of antibiotics or synthetic hormones, and their milk comes from cows that graze freely on lush pasture. We carry their delicious gouda which comes in three varieties: medium aged, 12 month aged, and Herb and garlic, as well as their premium cheddar.
Wisconsin's Carr Valley cheeses are also a regular sight on our specialty shelf. A consistent award winner at the American Cheese Society awards, Carr Valley's cheesemaker Sid Cook has been making cheese for nearly 40 years, and his family has been producing cheese in Vernon County for generations. The Wedge carries one of his new creations, Cocoa Cardona, a deliciously aged goat 100% goat cheese rubbed with cocoa powder, resulting in the unusual but lovely marriage of chocolate and cheese. Another delicious offering is their Applewood smoked Cheddar, a subtly smoked medium cheddar that is hand rubbed with paprika. Strong yet smooth, this cheese is excellent served at the table with whole wheat crackers and lager ale.
As a certified organic operation, the Wedge cheese department has standards in place so that our organic cheeses are treated with integrity. In our cheese case, you will find organic imports such as Organic Dutch Gouda as well as Organic Emmenthaler Swiss. We also carry several lines of domestic organics such as Organic Valley, Cedar Grove, and Next Generation.
The cheese department staff is here to assist you from 9 am to 7:30 pm daily. If you need help selecting the perfect item or locating a certain cheese, just ask for assistance at the Deli counter. We are also happy to assist you with any special orders or special cuts that you might need.
But if you can't wait for a cheese cutter, please do check out the descriptions on the labels of our cheeses. "Humboldt fog is stunning in flavor and visual appeal." Cahill Porter: "I'm thinking about a grilled cheese sandwich right now!" And for the Grand Cru Surchoix from Monroe, Wisconsin: "Support Local Producers!" Pick up a cheese and you'll find a wealth of information at your fingertips!
Here are some ideas for a well-rounded cheeseplate with a variety of milk types that would be perfect for your next fabulous wine and cheese party:
- Cypress Grove Purple Haze: a California soft goat cheese with lavender and fennel)
- Spanish Manchego: A semi-hard sheep's milk cheese from La Mancha.
- Brillat-Savarin: a decadently rich triple-crème French cheese named for the famous gastronomer who coined the phrase, "You are what you eat.")
- Buttermilk Blue: a locally produced crumbly blue with a salty-sweet finish
