Gruyere

Rennet: Animal

Milk: Raw Cow

Cheese: Type 3 Subcatagory Alpine

Related: Emmental, Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Fontina, Appenzeller

Origin: Made by Emmi, under their Kaltbach "cave aged" brand in Western Switzerland, near Lucerne

Age: Minimum of 1 year

Story: Nobody does it like the Swiss. They were the first, and really the only government to essentialy nationalize their cheese. The Alpine style almost necessitates a creamery style of production, and highly specialized roles in its creation. Cheesemaker, herdsmen, and affineur all contribute thier skills to make this one of the greatest cheeses on the planet. The cheese is butter and nutty, with a nice fruity hit, counterblanced by sharpness, a swissy picuancy, and the earth funk only real and attentive cheese aging can provide. The texture is pliable and moist, yet dense and hearty. This is a cheese for all times and all seasons

Pairings: Whiskey, sherry, alpine style wines, nut brown ales, and an absolute must with ham.

1/4 LB 1/3 LB 1/2 LB 2/3 LB 3/4 LB 1 LB 2 LB 3 LB 4 LB 5 LB $18.00 per pound