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Eating Well

A recent EatingWell article explored what the “healthiest” cheese for everyday eating might be, and the takeaway was refreshingly simple — cheese absolutely can be part of a balanced lifestyle when enjoyed thoughtfully. Dietitians highlighted that cheeses like feta stand out not because they’re perfect nutritionally, but because their bold flavor, satisfying texture, and versatility make it easier to enjoy smaller portions while still getting benefits like protein and calcium. We have two great feta cheeses at 109. Bulgarian sheep’s milk feta and Greek feta from the Isle of Lesbos are both classic, traditional brined cheeses, each with their own beautiful character. Bulgarian sheep’s milk feta is rich, creamy, and slightly more supple, with a smooth tang and a rounded, comforting finish that works effortlessly in salads, warm dishes, or simply with good bread and olive oil. Feta from the Isle of Lesbos is firmer and more vibrant, with bright acidity, a clean saline edge, and that unmistakable Mediterranean minerality that pairs perfectly with tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs.

We’re proud to carry both at 109 Cheese — two authentic, soulful fetas that show just how expressive and delicious real sheep’s milk cheese can be.

The bigger message in our opinion, It’s not about cutting out cheese — it’s about choosing quality, enjoying it in moderation, and pairing it with real, wholesome foods. In other words, a little great cheese on a beautiful plate with fresh ingredients isn’t just indulgent… it’s part of a joyful, sustainable way of eating.

The takeaway: it’s not about eliminating cheese, it’s about choosing flavorful, quality cheeses and enjoying them thoughtfully as part of a balanced, joyful plate and we agree!

Wabash Cannonball

Wabash Cannonball is a small but mighty American original with lots of character. Hand-crafted in Indiana by Capriole, it’s a goat’s milk cheese shaped into a little sphere and coated with a thin layer of vegetable ash much like its French relative, Delice de Poitou. The paste is soft, creamy, and luscious when young, with a delicate tang and fresh, citrusy brightness that shows the quality of the goat’s milk. As it matures, the cheese firms slightly and develops more complexity, bringing in mushroomy, earthy, and nutty notes under its wrinkly rind. Right now they are young and softer.

It’s the kind of cheese that’s visually striking on a cheese board and delivers a memorable experience for you and your guests. Playful in size, yet packed with depth, I would pair it with the Adegas Gran Vinum Nessa Albariño 2024, a radiant expression of the Albariño grape, showing elegant aromas of white flowers, mimosas, elderberry, apple, pear, and citrus. It’s a momentary escape with every glass. On the palate, it is bright and easy-drinking. Its freshness is infectious with juicy stone-fruit flavors and a vibrant finish. There’s also a delicate undercurrent of grassy or saline minerality giving added depth and complexity.

It’s another Nor’Eater!

It’s another Nor’Eater! The weather folks say we’re going to get, and I quote, “walloped” Sunday night into Monday morning — which sounds like the perfect excuse to stock up and stay cozy.
Come by and grab the most perfect provisions for a proper snow day — beautiful cheeses, comforting soups, gourmet goodies, appetizers, and of course, great wine waiting for you in Ridgefield. In Kent, we’ve got cheese, fresh soups, gourmet treats, and fresh fish ready for a cozy night in.

Bandit will be right there with us (and likely by the fire when he can), fully embracing the cozy snow-day mood — and honestly, that’s exactly the vibe. Good food, a warm fire, and nowhere to be but home.

If you’re going to get snowed in,

do it the right way… with 109.

This week marks the start of Lent

This week marks the start of Lent,  and while many people are giving something up, we truly hope it wasn’t cheese, wine, and gourmet foods.

That said, Lent is also a nice reminder to slow things down a bit, cook a little more thoughtfully, and enjoy simple, good food around the table. Whether that means fresh fish on Fridays, a comforting bowl of soup, a beautiful cheese board, or a lighter dinner with a great bottle of wine, we are here to help make it easy and delicious.

We’ve got fresh fish available in our Kent store (arrives Friday), wonderful cheeses, house-made soups and appetizers in both locations and plenty of wines in Ridgefield that pair perfectly with more mindful, meatless meals. Just because the season is a little quieter doesn’t mean your food has to be.

And if your version of Lent still includes a little indulgence (no judgment here), we are more than happy to supply whatever you’ve chosen to continue enjoying at 109.

Simple food, great ingredients, and a table worth gathering around — that’s always in season.

Oh and Spring is less than a month away.

We are so proud to support great farms! – Rispen!

Rispens Artisan Sheep’s Milk Cheese is crafted by the Rispens family and hand-selected for Essex Cheese by l’Amuse. Made from the milk of their own well-tended sheep, this beautiful farmstead cheese has a warm, nutty character that’s incredibly easy to fall for. It brings a little European farmhouse romance right to your table

This Saturday in Ridgefield from 12-5 we’re pouring three beautiful wines to celebrate Valentine’s Day the right way with Gary.

The Chidaine Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2024 is bright, crisp, and alive with citrus and beautiful minerality — perfect with fresh goat cheese or oysters. The Bouvet Rosé Brut brings those celebratory bubbles, offering delicate red-berry notes and a dry, elegant finish that absolutely loves triple creams and a little (or a lot of) caviar. And for the red wine lovers, Château La Rame Bordeaux Rouge 2022 delivers wonderful dark fruit, soft tannins, and that classic Bordeaux balance that pairs effortlessly with charcuterie, aged cheeses, or a cozy dinner for two in front of the fire.

Three wines. One weekend. Bring your Valentine, bring your friends, or simply bring your love of great cheese and wine — we’ll take care of the rest.

This weekend is going to be full of love… and possibly a little bit of mischief. Second Saturday in Ridgefield is happening!

This weekend is going to be full of love… and possibly a little bit of mischief.

Second Saturday in Ridgefield is happening!

Sarah and Bernard from à table will be serving up something delicious as always,

Gary will be pouring spectacular wines lovingly at 109 Wine, and our cheesemongers in both locations have some beautifully romantic selections ready for you.

Call ahead and let us create the perfect platter for two or more.

And now… the real headline.

Our very own “Love Bandit,” will be in attendance at the tasting. He’ll be accepting kisses, giving smooshes, and stealing hearts one at a time.

Side effects may include smiling uncontrollably.

But in all seriousness, this season has reminded us that love isn’t just about a holiday. It’s about showing up. It’s about kindness. It’s about choosing each other, especially when life gets hard.

Monica is my forever Valentine. Through everything, we’ve held onto love — and we’ll keep spreading it as best we can.

We hope your weekend is filled with great wine, beautiful cheese, loyal dogs and cats, and the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.

We Have Moved our Kent Store and our gallery WKNDDRVR

We are now open at 6 Kent Green Blvd, our new location in Kent.

109 Cheese Market and WKNDDRVR have moved to a great new space filled with light, great seating and we have a wine by the glass program in the works!, until then it’s a BYOB. The space is light and bright with all of the great touches you would expect from us at 109 and WKNDDRVR. We are expanding our offerings to include most of our great 109 Cheese, gourmet and kitchen items that we currently have in our Ridgefield location at 109 Danbury road. Our Gallery hours will be the same as the cheese shop. Sunday’s 10-4 and Wednesday – Saturday 10-5 or by appointment for the gallery.

Currently we are showing the photographic work of

Lans Christensen, Sean Smith

Bryan McCarthy, Steve Klucik

and Richard James

Super Bowl Sunday!

Super Bowl Sunday!

Does your Super Bowl include a bowl of our Mac n’ Cheese? 

Well it should!

Don’t forget about our Pigs in a blanket, Mini Croque Monsieur tarts,

mushroom tarts and so much more!

Kansas City Chiefs take on the

San Francisco 49ers Sunday at 6:30

Bring us your game day platters or use one of our disposable platters and we will fill it with the best 109 goodies

Valentine’s Day is coming up too!

Don’t just focus on football, it won’t serve you well

Gifts, Chocolates and more

Order a sandwich platter for game day!

Parisian, Turkey Fig & Brie, salami d’affinois and more.

Who is ready for a great game!

Our Sandwich Menus for Ridgefield and for Kent

Ridgefield Sandwiches 

Grilled Cheese $9.75

109 Signature Cheese blend on Sourdough hot and gooey

Create your own grilled creation….add

*Maple Ham + 3.00
*Prosciutto + $3.00
*Turkey + $4.00
*Roasted tomato w/garlic and a touch of red pepper $1.50
*Mushrooms roasted w/shallot & thyme $2.50 *Chile Crunch* * Fig Jam* Caramelized Onion Jam* $.50

Big ED v.2 $12.95 A Ridgefield favorite recreated “it’s back”! – Smoked Turkey, Red Barn Cheddar, 109 Special Sauce (sweet and a little spicy) maple mustard lettuce on a baguette

The Parisian $10.95 – reminds us of the simplest baguette sandwich you can get anywhere in France (gas station, train station, bistro..) Simply, Prosciutto di Parma, Gruyere, Butter and Arugula on a French baguette.

Salami D’Affinois $12.95 – what could be better than 3 great salamis on a baguette smeared with the creamiest brie and a touch of olive oil and arugula

Turkey Fig & Brie $13.75 – North Country Award winning smoked Turkey, D’affinois creamy brie, amazing Mitica Mermelada De Higo Fig Jam and fresh arugula on our tasty baguette

The American $12.95 North Country Maple Ham, Red Barn Heritage Cheddar, Maple Mustard, dill pickle and lettuce on toasted sourdough.

Mozzarella and Tomato $11 add prosciutto $15 – fresh Narragansett mozzarella with roasted tomatoes and garlic on a toasted baguette and a drizzle of olive oil and aged balsamic, fresh arugula.

Kent Sandwich Menu

Grilled Cheese $9.75

109 Signature Cheese blend on Sourdough

hot and gooey

Create your own grilled creation….add

*Maple Ham + 3.00

*Prosciutto  + $3.00

*Turkey + $4.00

*Roasted tomato w/garlic and a touch of red pepper $1.50

*Mushrooms roasted w/shallot & thyme $3.50

*Chile Crunch* * Fig Jam* Caramelized Onion Jam* $.50

 Add a cup of house made soup $7.25

Sandwiches

Big ED v.2   $12.95 A Kent favorite recreated “it’s back”!

Turkey Fig and Brie. $ 13.75 Smoked Turkey, Red Barn Cheddar, 109 Special Sauce (sweet and a little spicy) maple mustard lettuce on a baguette

 The Parisian  $10.95 reminds us of the simplest baguette sandwich you can get anywhere in France (gas station, train station, bistro..)

Simply, Prosciutto di Parma, Gruyere, Butter and Arugula on a French baguette.

Salami D’Affinois  $9.95 what could be better than 3 great salamis on a baguette smeared with the creamiest brie and a touch of olive oil and arugula

Turkey Fig  & Brie $9.25 North Country Award winning smoked Turkey, D’affinois creamy brie, amazing Mitica Mermelada De Higo Fig Jam and fresh arugula on our tasty baguette

The American $12.95  North Country Maple Ham, Red Barn Heritage Cheddar, Maple Mustard, dill pickle and lettuce on toasted sourdough.

Mozzarella and Tomato $11   add prosciutto $15 

fresh Narragansett mozzarella with roasted tomatoes and garlic on a toasted baguette and a drizzle of olive oil and aged balsamic, fresh arugula.