Cheddar (Gold Creek Rosemary Mint)

Producer

Gold Creek Farms

Country

United States

Region

Utah

Size

12 in diameter x 5 in height

Weight

19-21 lbs

Website

www.goldcreekfarms.com

Milk

Cow

Treatment

Pasteurised

Rennet

Microbial

Rind

None

Style

Cheddar-like

Flavor

Flavor added to paste

In 2007, Alan and Debbie Gold purchased a 130-acre property in Woodland, Utah, 45 minutes east of Park City. The property had been a dairy farm over four decades ago, but all that remained was a broken down barn and an open-air hay structure. Continuing the legacy of the land, the Golds decided to create an artisan cheesemaking facility there. After completely renovating the barn and hay structure, as well as building a brand new barn to house their cheesemaking facility, they moved in with their Brown Swiss cows.

Today the Golds produce a range of dairy products as well as soaps and lotions. Focusing on quality rather than quantity, they adhere to a range of sustainable farming practices, such as recycling whey to feed their pigs, supplementing feed grain with spelt wheat from a local distillery, and keeping fertilizer and antibiotic use to a bare minimum. So that the cows are able to roam freely, they never house more than 35 at a time.

Head cheesemaker and gourmet chef Fernando Chavez-Sandoval, known for his creativity and experimentation with new recipes, is responsible for the production of Gold Creek Farm’s line of award-winning cheeses. Rosemary Mint Cheddar is a flavored version of his Aged White Cheddar, which is matured for over a year. Rosemary and mint flakes are mixed into the curd. 

Tasting Notes

Rosemary Mint Cheddar has a firm, crumbly, yellow paste that’s speckled with rosemary and mint flakes. Initial aromas are of a cool menthol breeze, and flavor is decidedly spearmint-y with only a hint of herbaceousness from the rosemary. Unique, biting and slightly spicy, with essence of both pine tree and candy cane, this could be a fun cheese for Christmas. 

Pairings

Pair it with a sauvignon blanc.