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September 21, 2006
Pleasant Ridge Reserve
I had the pleasure of sampling another ACS winner this week, this one is a raw cow's milk cheese called Pleasant Ridge Reserve from the Uplands Cheese Company in Wisconsin. This one is a repeat, having won the ACS best in show award in 2001 and 2005!
Picture cows grazing in an open pasture in Wisconsin, that's where this cheese starts. It's made from fresh, unpasteurized milk, which gives it a wonderful flavor with great terroir. )And if you don't believe that cheese has terroir, you haven't been eating enough good cheese.)
The Pleasant Ridge Reserve reminds me a bit of a Gruyere. It's not quite as "rough" as Gruyere, that is it's not nearly as firm, nor does it have the grit/grain of a good aged Gruyere. However, it has a very, um, pleasant flavor that make it a really fantastic, straight up eating cheese. It has a great, nutty taste, which really hit the spot on this chilly fall day. I did not melt it, but I have a feeling it would melt well, and I'm sure it would be great to sample at different ages to experience it again and again.
Posted by Dave!