Cheddar (Vat 17)
- Producer
- Deer Creek / Artisan Cheese Exchange
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Wisconsin
- Weight
- 2.5 lb loaves; 8 oz retail squares
- Website
- http://www.cheese-exchange.com/DeerCreek/
- Milk
- Cow
- Treatment
- Pasteurised
- Classification
- Firm
- Rennet
- Microbial
- Rind
- Waxed
The concept for the range of Deer Creek cheeses was developed by Chris Gentine of Artisan Cheese Exchange in Wisconsin.
Artisan Cheese Exchange is a company that primarily focuses on the export of American cheeses overseas. In a move designed to differentiate their cheddars within the international marketplace, Chris used his training as a Wisconsin Master Cheese Grader to carefully select various batches of cheese deemed suitable for further aging, and used Wisconsin grading standards as a certification of the cheeses’ quality. His line of Deer Creek specialty cheddars are among the only Grade AA certified cheddars on the retail market. Maturation and affinage of the cheeses is done in conjunction with Wisconsin Aging and Grading.
Deer Creek Vat 17 World Cheddar is produced by Land O’ Lakes in the Niagra Cuesta region of Eastern Wisconsin. It owes its complex flavor development in part to a cocktail of cultures representing some of the best cheddars from around the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. In creating this cheese, many test vats were developed with variations in the make process, then allowed to mature using proprietary aging techniques. After two years of continuous testing, the cheese from vat 17 was selected as the ideal combination, hence the final name.
Pairings
Aged at least 2 years, Vat 17 is deep, bold, and complex. Pair it with a Merlot, a Scotch Ale or a French Cider.
