Vaquero Blue Cheese Tasting

Last week we were invited to a Mediterranean wine and cheese tasting hosted by VIAC which featured Mediterranean cheeses and some local Vermont cheese as well. Our Vaquero Blue, a sheep and cow blended blue cheese was featured along with Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery's Feta, and Vermont Shepherd's flagship cheese, Vermont Shepherd. The pairing began with an introduction from Jeff Roberts with the goat Feta from VT Butter and Cheese to taste with Shelburne Vineyard's Gewurztraminer. I really like the Gevurztraminer and I am not usually a fan of this varietal as it is normally syrup-y and excessively sweet. This one is light, medium bodied and had almost stone fruit flavors. At the end of the evening, was our blue. Which is typically how one tastes cheeses-the strongest flavor profiled ones are last as they can dampen the palate if eaten early on and confuse the brain for the milder flavors to come. Delli Rex, sommelier, paired the Vaquero Blue with a Tuscan red, La Mozza 2006. Was great! Then she advised those in the audience who had the Shelburne Vineyard Gevurztraminer remaining to try it as well. And then even the Marquette, from Lincoln Peak Vineyard, another Vermont winery. Who knew?! So much wine, so much fun! Check out these Vermont wineries when in Vermont. The Gevurztraminer from Shelburne Vineyard is only available at the vineyard. Time for a drive!