Pine River Cheddar (9-year-old)

Producer:

Pine River Cheese

Milk type:

Thermalised cow's milk

Style:

Hard

Region:

Pine River, Bruce County, Ontario

Context:

Pine River Cheese is a farmer-owned co-operative. The company was established in 1885 in Huron Township (Bruce County) along the banks of the Pine
River. To raise the money to build the original factory, 1,500 shares of $2.00 each were sold. The company was originally established to manufacture and sell cheese and butter, and to buy, keep, fatten, and sell hogs. Today, Pine River Cheese manufactures and sells over 2.25 million lbs. of cheese, annually.

Appearance of rind:

No rind.

Appearance of paste:

Pumpkin orange, cracked, and crumbly looking.

Nose:

Medium intensity. Robust notes of fermented cider.

Primary taste:

Savoury.

Flavour:

Fermented cider, tangy, and fruity. Sweet and salty balance. Longer finish.  

Texture:

Firm, crumbly texture. Loads of yummy, granular tyrosine bits.

Pairing opportunities:

Serve with a cider (hard or not), a British ale, or a full bodied red wine. Can also be paired with fresh multigrain bread, slice appled, and/or caramelized onion jam. The sharp, tangy taste makes it an excellent choice for a grilled cheese sandwich, fondue, or mac ‘n cheese. Also pairs well with hot apple pie.

Other comments:

If you like a nice aged cheddar, Pine River is usually a good option. The taste is clean and the texture smooth, not pasty.