The Big Cheese in Town - Dublin

(Photo From Sheridans Cheesemongers )

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit cheese obsessed and firmly believe that any store with the word cheesemonger in the title really knows their stuff. One such store is Sheridans Cheesemonger in Dublin. The counters are stacked with cheeses from all over the world in a chilled store that it is essentially one big refrigerator. It's a perfect place to go on a hot summer day! The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, and gave me insight into the local cheeses.

(photo from Sheridans Cheesemongers)

The three cows milk cheeses I tried were:

Gubbeen: This cheese is made in County Cork by Giana Ferguson and is pasteurized. The color is butter yellow with a white washed rind. Nutty in flavor, it is closest in taste to a monchego, but softer in texture and not as salty. Of the three cheeses I sampled this one was my favorite. Since it is pasteurized, it might be possible to find it at gourmet cheese shops here in the states.

Ardrahan: A cheese that also hails from County Cork, but is produced from raw milk from Mary Byrnes' own cows. It has a washed orange rind and a soft texture like fontina, but the taste is moderately pungent, with a tangy flavor similar buttermilk.

Mount Callan: Another raw milk cheese produced by an Australian woman named Lucy Hayes in County Clare. Mount Callan is a very hard dry cheddar also made from raw cow's milk and aged two months. The color is very dark yellow with a dark ashy rind. It is a mild cheddar with a slightly earthy flavor.

I think it's hilarious that Sheridans Cheesemongers also make tiered cheese wedding cakes, and would have loved to of ordered one for my wedding. I have the feeling my guests would have been less enthusiastic!

Sheridans Cheesemongers
11 South Anne Street (off of Grafton)
Dublin, Ireland
tel: 016793143
www.sheridanscheesemongers.com

Saxelby Cheesemongers - New York

A trip to New York would not be complete without sampling a few cheeses along the way. One of the best cheese shops for American artisanal cheeses is Saxelby Cheesemongers in the Essex Market. Really friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you pick that perfect cheese. We tried the Grayson from Meadow Creek Dairy in virginia, a pungent cows milk cheese with a buttery flavor perfect on bread, and Weston Wheel from Woodcock farm, a hard salty sheep's cheese delicious for snacking. We also had to pick up a sampling of cheese curds, which are so buttery and deliciously soft.

Saxelby Cheese also offers Day -A-Whey (very clever) weekend excursions during October to cheese making farms in New England. The next and last trip is to Sprout Creek Farm in Poughkeepsie on October 26th. www.saxelbycheese.com

Peck Food Emporium - Milan

Peck in Milan, is the Dean and Deluca of Italy. Their huge food emporium sells everything from coffee, cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, and prepared food all under the Peck label. Everything is of the highest, freshest quality. On my trip to Milan, I bought a bottle of the white truffle oil, which actually had a big hunk of white truffle floating in the bottom. I don't think you can find that many other places, at least not for an affordable price! Certain items on their website can be shipped to the U.S. such as wine, oils (including the aforementioned truffle oil) and aged vinegars. Peck also has a gourmet restaurant and tea room upstairs where they will make you a perfect cappuccino. If you're lucky they'll even swirl the foam into a heart. Perfecto!

Vin et Fromage a Maison 140 - Los Angeles

Every Wednesday night the ultra lux Bar Noir in the Maison 140 hotel is holding wine and cheese pairings for $25 a person. Wines are all California varieties, and cheese is supplied by the comprehensive Cheese Shop of Beverly Hills. 

La Fromagerie - London

I love artisanal cheese, so when I'm on vacation, I usually try to find a good cheese store where I can sample the local cheeses. Next time I'm in London, I'm stopping by La Fromagerie. They have two locations, both with cheese rooms, and they serve breakfast and lunch. Yum!