THE CHEESE
Saint Maure
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Milk: Goat
Cheese Type: Ash Ripened
Rennet: Animal

This cheese originates in the heart of the Loire Valley in France, the heartland of fresh and ripened goat milk cheeses. The producer of this particular Saint Maure is Gerald Brun from Le Ferrondais. This producer was selected by the affineur Xavier David for its commitment to sustainable farming and traditional cheese making techniques.

The AOC version of this cheese is unpasteurized but due to its young age (3 weeks) the version we carry is pasteurized. The cheese is hand ladled with the curds being shaped by hand. It is aged for three weeks and sprinkled with ash. The rind is stunning and represents a classic example of geotrichum ripening.

What is geotrichum? Well, it is a mold that is used in many classic soft ripened cheeses that is a bit more finicky and requires a more deft hand than Penicillium candidum, the mold that is used for cheese such as Brie and Camembert. Geo rinds are easily identifiable by their signature "brain wrinkles" on the surface of the cheese.

On the palate this cheese has bright citrus acidity with a slight undertone of walnuts. The texture is chalky but with a great mouth coating creaminess.

THE WINE
Producer: Pascal and Beatrice Lambert, Les Chesnaies
Bottle: "Les Terrasses"
Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Appelation: Chinon
Region: Loire Valley
Country: France
Farming: 100% Biodynamic

Funky 100% Cabernet Franc showing the indicative green pepper nose and palate with subdued raspberry and blueberry fruit. This particular bottle also has a nose of wet green hay bale and an amazing tingly almost effervescent lively mouth feel and clay soil finish. Perfect with Lamb, Charcuterie, drier goat cheese and a great "gateway" into the funky/earthy world of Loire Cabernet Franc.

"Les Terrasses" doesn't see any wood during fermentation or aging, is fermented with natural/wild yeast and has no additional sulphites added. A truly natural expression of the area in which the Lamberts have called home since 1987. Starting off with just a camper van in the midst of their vineyards, the husband and wife duo have built a modest farm based on minimal environmental impact and utter respect for place. Everything accomplished in this vineyard is by hand unless, of course, you inquire about the tilling of the fields. This is done by a horse that Pascal rents each spring.

"Les Terrasses" is another bottle that proudly encapsulates the intent of our wine program:
1)Pairs well with cheese
2)Small production carried out with respect for place, product, and consumer.
3)A wine selected only after thoroughly tasting through what the market has to offer in this category.

THE PAIRING
Guest Monger Heather

"The Chinon to me smells like a large bouquet of flowers. It has great structure and bright acidity. There are bright raspberry nuances and slight vegetal and mineral undertones. This wine pairs well with the St. Maure the same way a chevre pairs with a Pinot Noir. Floral and some earthy notes in the wine goes well with the tangy barnyard flavors of the cheese. This pairing is best on a cold rainy day when you are wishing for spring."