Dinner with Kirsten

Chabichou du Poitou ($16 each at Artisanal Cheese)

Origin: France—This old French cheese is produced in a narrow geographic region in the chalky soils of Poitou between Paris and Bordeaux. The name is protected, guaranteeing authenticity of origin. (From www.ArtisanalCheese.com.)
Type: Semisoft
Taste: “Sweet, slightly minerally, and clean”
Season: Avoid December through May – winter is not goat’s milk season
Wine Pairing: White wine from Poitou or the Loire Valley (From The Murray’s Cheese Handbook)

I went to a “Cheeses of France” press event this week and gorged myself on some of the best cheeses I’ve ever eaten. I need to sort through my notes to identify my favorites (predictably, I liked all the extra creamy soft cheeses best). But this is one that they sent home with all the attendees. It’s goat’s milk cheese like I’ve never tasted—mild, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth, with an assertive flavor. The rind and outer layer are tasty, but the snowy white center is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s a little pricey for everyday eating, but I would definitely add it to a cheese plate for a special occasion.