I love this link with an “Artisanal CheeseClock Flight” providing tips on pairing wine and cheese. How clever!!

Through both independent study and instruction from friends/associates who are also extraordinary resources, my education of wine and (goat and sheep) cheese continues.  As a university student I knew two things about cheese and wine by the time I graduated (1) I was lactose intolerant (thank my stars not till AFTER a semester in France) and (2) I preferred beer (Budweiser to be exact) over any kind of wine. Several years, a few excellent samples of artisanal cheese and glasses of outstanding wines later I feel a bit differently. Granted I still will admit to loving a cold bottle of Budweiser every once in a while, but now I am actually fascinated by wine labels, wine making, and the influences that affect the final product.  This is likely due to the fact that I am no longer drinking airport quality wine (disgusting).

As for cheese, well I have gotten to know a couple goat cheese makers and am intrigued by the cheese making culture and what a proper cheese plate should look/taste like. Though I missed a home cheese making workshop this past winter I even hope to participate in one next year.

My “cheese road” if you will has been a bit bumpier ride than the one I have taken to the corner of an excellent German Riesling and Oregonian Pinot as I am more limited in what I can digest (minimal cow’s milk).  That said I have had an amazing companion in Galaxy Nutritional Foods in the passenger seat. Okay, stop there I know you are thinking “product placement” or “way to drop a client into a post”…well fine yes, but I have also been eating their alternative cheese slices for over a decade. Before I ever met anyone from the company, before I even knew the words “Galaxy Nutritional Foods” I was intimately familiar with Veggy (green label) and Rice (blue label) slices of Cheddar and American.  When someone loves cheese as much as I do and suddenly their dairy bar of bleu cheese dressing, brie, and camembert is taken away you become desperate to find an alternative source of creamy goodness.

I don’t remember who introduced me to Galaxy’s cheese alternative slices, it might well have been someone at Trader Joes, since that is where I used to shop.  Anyway, I have been putting them on tortilla chips, chile, soup, crackers, apples, veggie burgers, vegetables, in burritos and omelets, and melting onto tuna sandwiches for a long while.  My favorites are the Rice Mozzarella and the Veggy Pepper Jack flavored slices.  You can find them in most traditional grocery stores (natural or produce section) and natural food stores.