October 19, 2022
Cheese Wisdom: Raw cow milk cheese from Germany
The specialty breed of cow is fed uniquely grown hay to enhance to milk flavor
by Anita Skogland
The Cheese: Baldauf Meisterstück, Allgau region, Germany
Where to Purchase: The Loyalist Market, Matthews
Price: $37.99/lb.
The Style; Firm, supple, pale gold color käse with a nutty, light mustard aroma; very smooth on the palate, edible rind
Flavor Profile: Full, rich, aged slowly in caves for 8 months. There is a depth of flavor that is the result of using winter cow milk, when the cows are fed from specially selected hay, and free range summer grasses.
How to Enjoy: This cheese shines with slices of tart apples and local pears, which are now in season. Add a dab of mustard, and some crunchy crackers, smoked almonds or pretzels on the side. Serve with smoked trout and fig jam. Thinly slice and make a grilled cheese sandwich on rye.
Wine Pairings: Riesling trocken, S, Műller-Thurgau, spatburgunder, Zweigelt
Extra Reading: This cheese won the award for best German cheese at the 2019 Word Cheese Awards in Italy. The specialty cow breed, Allgauer Braunvieh, is fed very select grasses and hay to enhance the flavor of the cheese. The milk produced from Allgauer Braunvieh is less than 5 percent of the milk produced in Germany. The tiny area where these cows live is in southern Bavaria, not far from Austria.
