#27 Cornish Crumbly - The British Invasion

Cornish Crumbly is the second wave of the British invasion led by the Brit from the Vic (Market).

Made by Sue Proudfoot (Hobbit references anyone??) of Whalesborough Cheese this cheese picked up the gong for Best Modern British Cheese in 2008.

I'm afraid Crumbly is a bit of a misnomer as the cheese was more at the creamy, waxy end of the scale. The taste was mild and enjoyable,but after a long journey taped to a cheese smuggler's undergarments, this cheese was not at its peak. 

There is nothing for it I guess but to visit the UK as soon as possible. So donate large wads of cash now to send Ton O'Cheese to England.

And sticking with the hobbit reference - the British invasion music to match the cheese is Led Zep's Battle of Evermore.




Is cheese is good

#26 Toggenburger Nidel

The other cheese sampled at the City Wine Shop was a Swiss cow's milk answering to the name Toggenburger Nidel.

What a name. If this cheese is forced into a career change it should consider the role of bad guy in a spy film. The name is Nidel, Toggengburger Nidel.

If I'm ever forced into hiding - that will be my alias.

The cheese was superb, smooth, a little bit sweet and nutty. Slightly pungent but overall a delicate subtle flavour that was nicely matched with apple paste.



Is cheese is good

#25 Battlefield Blue - The British Invasion

This is part of the British invasion led by the English gentleman cheesemonger often found lurking in the deli hall at the Vic Market. Not content with harassing customers, this mad dog of an Englishman has now taken up international cheese smuggling.

And I'm very grateful for his efforts in convincing family members to secrete some of old blighty's finest about their personage and run the gauntlet of Australian customs and quarantine.

I love a cheese with a story. Battlefield Blue has been named for the Battle of Bosworth, the battle that saw the fall of Richard the Third, and a distinct lack of horses. Apparently the farm is located on the former battle site and the delivery van once parked in the car park where they recently exhumed the remains of Shakespeare's villian.

The Battelfield Blue was a mild and creamy blue with a very slight acidity. It features distinct lines of blue (no marbling) with a brown rind nutty - delicious!



The British invasion cheese is best matched with music from the motherland and what could be more appropriate than Battleship Hill by PJ Harvey





Is cheese is good

#24 Rogue River Blue

We dropped into the City Wine Shop on the way home from the comedy festival for a bite and tipple and lucked on to a couple of great cheeses.

The Rogue River Blue is a cow's milk cheese aged in grape leaves and is the second cheese from the USA to find its way into the ton of cheese tally. It hails from Oregon and is made by the Rogue Creamery who have been in the business for 80 plus years.

This was a knock out cheese in prime condition. The flavour was sharp but not acidic with a little hint of caramel. I'm not normally a fruit paste guy (hell I don't even know what a fruit paste guy is) but the Rogue River Blue was perfectly matched by a spoonful of rich red guava paste.

The sauterne suggested by the wine shop went down a treat too. We were told the shop is expanding its cheese range guaranteeing my return there in the near future,


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#23 Beachbox Brie

I guess an apology is in order for my slackness in blog updating. But never fear, the real hard work has continued and the tally is mounting up.

Beach Box Brie is made by Boatshed cheese, a local outfit based in Mount Martha. I'm told these guys have just started producing cheese and they have clearly found their true path in life.

The Beach Box Brie was liquid goo barely contained by the white and pale yellow velvety rind. This is an incredibly french like cheese - it has a touch of cauliflower to it like Le Conquerant (if you haven't tried Le Conquerant you should be ashamed of yourself).

Beach Box was a dead set hit, and much like the AC DC classic, Jail break , its rich inner goo was trying to escape from the first moment. Track it down and indulge. Thanks again Bills's Farm.






Is cheese is good