Gran Queso

Rennet: Vegitarian

Milk: Pasteurized Friesian Holstein

Cheese: Type 3 Subspecies Alpine

Related: Emmentaller, Toma Tenero

Origin: Made at Roth Kase in Monroe, WI

Story: Roth Kase has a long tradition of Swiss cheese making in the family, so it's no wonder that their attempt at a "Manchego" style cheese for "tapas" should end up having more in common with a swiss cheese. The cheese has excellent flavor: the robust piquancy of a good Emmentaller but with a richer backbone and more sweetness. It's certainly a grand cheese, it just has nothing to do with any Spanish cheese I know. Gran Queso won several major awards at its inception, including an ACS first place in 2004, and a gold at the World Cheese Awards in London in 2005.

Pairings: Alpine and Rhone whites, Brown Ale, Coffee, Vodka and Eau de Vie

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 $11.00 per pound