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Please welcome The Baldauf 1862 Meisterstück to 109

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The Baldauf 1862 Meisterstück was named the best German cheese at the 2019 World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy, and in one taste you will see why! Master cheesemakers at Baldauf have crafted this superb cheese from homemade cheese cultures and fresh, unpasteurized milk from Allgauer Braunvieh cows that feed exclusively on hay and grass. Slow ripened and aged for 8 months, the 1862 Meisterstück has a natural rind and exceptional aroma and taste. Ripening and refining is a delicate process that Baldauf has perfected, and master cheesemakers handcraft each individual form with care in their own ripening cellars. This slow and gradual process results in a cheese that is aromatic, full of flavor and a true expression of the land.
The beauty of Baldauf cheeses is in the ‘hay milk’ that is collected from the ‘Allgäuer Braunvieh’ cow breed that feeds exclusively on hay in the winter months and grasses during the summer. This breed is prized for producing a higher quality milk that makes up only 5% of all milk production in Germany. Baldauf is only one of a few producers in Germany using this hay milk in their complete line of cheeses, and this milk is delivered fresh every morning from small farms in the Allgau region.

Baldauf is situated in the beautiful and serene Allgau region of Germany and was founded in 1862 by businessman Martin Baldauf, who was one of the first to distribute Emmental cheese. With a deep respect for the home region of Allgau, Balduaf continues to support and maintain a close relationship with the local farmers and surrounding alpine dairies. The master cheesemakers at Baldauf continue to carry the legacy of cheesemaking in the region, honoring tradition and the love for producing a pure, quality cheese. Relying on handicraft, tradition and the best milk, Baldauf cheeses stand the test of time.

• Made from unpasteurized cow’s milk.

Check out some of our favorite “Heading into the Holiday” wines

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Domaine D’Arbousset 2016 is a grenache, mourvedre, syrah and cinsault from the Lirac appellation elevation in the southern Rhone. This medium to full bodied wine is showing nice fruit with gentle tannins on the finish. With a hint of oak, this wine will be perfect with the heartier meals of the season.

Chateau Laujac Medoc 2016 is from a wonderful family owned vineyard. This blend, mostly cabernet and some merlot, is showing dark berries, a hint of vanilla, cedar and finishes with a little tobacco. The perfect balance of tannin and acidity for the holiday roast or spatchcock chicken or sitting by the fire with your favorite 109 cheese ( Otis likes the Sneek Aged Gouda).

Dumont Bourgogne Rouge 2019 is just wonderful! From the famous Gevery-Chambertin region in Burgundy. To the nose, strawberry, raspberry and cherry are ever present with a hint of cranberry. To the palate you will find wonderful acidity, a hint of old oak and a delicate finish of soft tannins. We will be enjoying this bundled up by the fire pit and a hunk of our new alpine cheese from Bavaria Baldauf 1862 Meisterstuck.

Domaine Camu Fréres Bourgogne Chardonnay 2018 is from a small medieval town in Burgundy. 100% chardonnay has a beautiful translucent gold expression of color in the glass. To the nose you will notice citrus and wonderful green apple notes. This chardonnay is medium bodied showing delicate vanilla and some oak. As with many chardonnays, the finish is bountiful and loves cheese, charcuterie and just about everything in between.
Silvano Bolmida 2018 Conca Del Grillo Barbera D’Alba is one of our favorites from Piedmont. This Barbera shines with sweet earth and cherries on the nose while to your palate it shows cedar leather, ripe cherries and a hint of a chocolate finish. The wine finishes in a way that will make you smile with a long and lush euphoric moment in time. Get out the pasta or red meat and enjoy! A nice hunk of Parmigiano is my cheese go to for this wine.

Valentine’s Day – I’ll follow you anywhere

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Valentine’s Day

This is one of those day’s where one can get in a lot of trouble. Whether you are planning the rest of your life with that special someone or it’s just looking for a great excuse to buy cheese, chocolate and champagne to share with that special someone. Just remember that if you mess this one up, it’s days of hanging out with Otis (if you know what i’m saying). Valentine’s Day is not for everyone but it is for me. I love making sure Monica is happy and smiling and what better excuse! Make a fire in the fireplace, open a bottle of champagne and make sure the menu is full of her favorites. For her, it’s easy. Rosé champagne, caviar, oysters, a little cheese and me 🙂  I got this.

If you need help, come on in and let us along with our mongers and wine guy help you make it happen.

  

 

At 109 Wine our goal and ambition is to make Thanksgiving easy

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Thanksgiving 2017

It’s that time of year again! At 109 Wine, our goal and ambition is to make Thanksgiving as easy – and enjoyable – as possible. Let us help you build a perfect case of Thanksgiving wines to work with whatever food you’re serving. That being said:

  • Don’t try to please everyone. Pick wines that work with the food, and let people settle into whatever they’re comfortable with. We recommend a sparkling wine, rosé, and lighter and heavier options for both red and white.
  • Champagne is often overlooked but do not doubt the deliciousness of a bottle of Tarlant or Drappier Brut Nature with roasted turkey – it is sensational – as well as being versatile and food-friendly.
  • Lighter dishes work well with rosé, sauvignon blanc, Chablis or riesling; heavier dishes work well with Beaujolais, Italian, and Rhone wines.

Some of our favorite picks for Thanksgiving this year:

Sparkling

André Clouet Silver NV (Champagne) – Crisp, racy, & bright, with tangy minerals and hidden notes of delicious brioche. Pair with white meats and lighter side dishes.

Rosé

Prevostini Chiavennasca 2016 (Lombardy, Italy) – What can you say, except “wow”. This rosé is light, delicate, and crisp, yet offers enough backbone to hold up to the richness of Thanksgiving food. Notes of rose, tart cherries, & just a pinch of cinnamon, with a long, alluring finish. This will work throughout the meal.                                                                                 

White

Ruhlmann Riesling 2016 (Alsace, France) – Fresh; aromas of pear, pineapple, & quince. Energetic, with smooth, silky texture. Great floral flavors on the palate. Traditional style.

 

Hopler Pinot Blanc 2016 (Burgenland, Austria) – A bit denser than the Ruhlmann riesling; great minerals and acid on the palate, with flavors of crisp green apple and underripe pear. Zesty, youthful, and great with almost everything. A great crowd pleaser and supremely versatile.

 

Reds

Jaffelin Pinot Noir 2014 (Burgundy, France) – Light and elegant. Classic red fruit profile on the nose, with a tasteful amount of baking spices. Great with green beans, light pastas, & roasted white meat.

Alexana Pinot Noir 2015 – (Willamette Valley, Oregon) – A step up in expression. A blend of pinot noir from all over the Willamette Valley yields this perfect representation of Oregon. Approachable & delicious, with enough energy to hold up to all but the richest dishes. The fruit is just a touch richer on this wine.

Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey-Chambertin 2014 (Cote D’Or, Burgundy) – For the Burgundy lover, from a producer going back to the 1890s. A powerful, energetic wine that’s effortlessly balanced. A masterful demonstration of all the 2014 vintage had to offer, with a bit of that wild, unrestrained earth that draws people to Gevrey-Chambertin, framed by brilliant red fruit. Drinking exceptionally well. The most refined of the pinot noirs mentioned here.

Chanrion Cote-de-Brouilly 2016 (Beaujolais, France) – Another classic & traditional French red. This is a great example of the 2016 vintage and offers major food compatibility. Fresh and fruity, with aromas of red & black summer berries, and just a hint of pepper & spice. Good palate presence, and simply tasty. This one works with all your savory dishes, while also not overwhelming your palate with tannin or oak.

Bolmida Barbera D’Alba 2015 (Piedmont, Italy) – Maybe our biggest hit of the fall season. A tremendous wine that is without parallel for food friendliness. Expressive red & dark fruit, earth, plums, and figs. Solid body, and great sense of self. Refined, unctuous, & clear, this wine again will work with heartier, savory dishes like sweet potato souffle, casseroles, and of course, stuffing.

Henri Bonnaud Palette Rouge 2011 (Palette, Southern Rhone Valley) – A wine with power and structure that retains its clarity, balance, freshness, and terroir. A traditional Rhone blend makes an utterly satisfying red, with great aromas of dark fruit, minerals, figs, and violet flowers. This wine will work for all but the lightests dishes you’re serving this year, but to me, is calling out for roasted meats with savory herbs.

Come on in on Saturday a taste a little Torre Maggiore – Wine & Beer Notes 10-27-17

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Come on in on Saturday a taste a little Torre Maggiore with Brett at 109 Wine.

We will have a sampling of cheese too!

Wine

 

Torre Maggiore 2010 (Umbria) A classic Italian red.

Generations ago, Giorgio Lanzetta brought down Montepulciano plantings from his native Abruzzo to the hills surrounding the mountain of Torre Maggiore. The result is a unique expression of both terroir and Montepulciano grapes.

Notes of rich red and black berries, plum, leather, and earth, with a subtle note of iron and mint. Balanced, with a great finish and distinct earth flavors on the mid palate.

Great with grilled or roasted meats.

Cheese pairing, Pleasant Ridge Reserve

 

Beer

 

New Holland Dragon’s Breath

A serious beer, not for the faint of heart! An Imperial Stout that sees some time in bourbon barrels, for added toastiness and a creamy texture. The oak smell abounds from the glass, with plenty of bitter chocolate, figs, vanilla, and wood. For such a burly style, this brew has balance and still keeps the crispness high to cut out the rich flavors from the malts. Wonderful with heartier foods like streaks, and stinky cheeses like Oma or Gubbeen from our cheese shop.

 

Ommegang Witte

A craft witte from Cooperstown, NY. A straightforward and delicious Belgian-style ale with wheat, sweet orange peel, and coriander brewed in. A lighter beer, this one is floral and grassy with the usual citrus notes. It has just a hint of spice which makes this beer excellent with BBQ or curry dishes.

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Breckenridge Brewery Nitrobrew Vanilla Porter

A new take on a classic brew. A dark beer with a bear black liquid and a dense foam head. The use of nitrogen brewing has rendered this porter extra smooth and silky. Notes of milk chocolate, malt, a hint of roast, and above all, vanilla are present in this beer. Right now, drinking at the perfect spot between sweet and bitter. Try this with some Delice de Bourgogne for an added treat.

 

Sixpoint Resin Double IPA

An insanely bitter and hoppy beer, also for the bold! Featuring Centennial and Chinook hops up front which deliver loads of pine and resin aromas, this beer is serious and will slap you around with its complex hop bouquet. Put this ultra-sharp beer with a sharp cheddar, like Avonlea or Montgomery to match the aromas of the hops.

 

Von Trapp Brewery Dunkel Lager

Von Trapp’s darkest year round beer however, looks can be deceiving. Dunkel features notes of chocolate, pumpernickel bread, and a certain nuttiness with a full malt back bone. Contrary to its dark color, this beer finishes crisp and clean with a round hop flavor. It has a lovely texture that coats the tongue but the effervescence washes the palate clean for a refreshing drink that pulls you back. Pair this with Gruyere or Emmenthaler.

Wine Tasting Saturday 10/14 at 109 Wine with Alessandro Peirano of Vinifera Imports

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Alessandro Peirano of Vinifera Imports will be pouring some of his favorite and Spectacular Italian Wines.

Join us this Saturday, October 14th from 12-3 in our newly renovated wine store in Ridgefield. Alessandro, a true gentleman and wine lover, will share some of his favorite wines and stories.  We will also have a wonderful sampling of cheeses to compliment the selected wines.  Hope to see you Saturday.

109 Wine – A little Circumstance, Gunpowder & Basque

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Saint of Circumstance Citrus Blonde Ale

$11/4pk (Four 1-pint cans)

A remarkably balanced and refreshing blonde ale. Easy drinking and perfect for the end of summer, this beer hails from Collective Arts Brewing in Ontario, Canada. A base of wheat provides the lemon flavor foundation, with 3 seasonal hops added in for extra taste. A zest of seasonal oranges is added to round out this relaxed ale. Try it with a natural rind cheese like Stilton or Lancashire.

 

Drumshambo Gunpowder Irish Gin

$40/750ml

A truly unique and memorable gin. Brewed in a small Irish village yet instilled with exotic Asian botanicals including gunpowder tea, this gin makes a big mark. It drinks very fresh, bold, and bright, with a nice spiciness. To this day, it is distilled by hand in a medieval pot still. A perfect spirit for a Negroni, along with some of our artisanal vermouths.

 

Aizpurua Txakolina 2016

$19/750ml

A great expression of Spanish Basque terroir. This wine features 100% indigenous grapes and is typical: light, fresh, bright, and very aromatic. It has notes of asparagus, peas, and a pleasant herbaceous quality. Cold-fermented at a controlled temperature, this Txakoli also has a slight effervescence which brings you back to the glass time after time. Pair this with crab cakes with a bit of dill, cayenne, and lemon juice for a real treat.

We now carry a full line of French cookware!

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We have put together the perfect gift!

The best omelette pan, outrageously amazing butter from Rodolphe Le Meunier, our favorite olive oil from Italy, Neal’s Yard Dairy Montgomery Cheddar, Stilton, Shropshire Blue, Caffeine & Carburetors Coffee from Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee, Omnivore Salt and don’t forget the eggs from Ridgefield Organics & Specialty Market. Best part is you all get to enjoy the gift!img_6191-2

109 Cheese Market, Kent is open and it’s a spectacular drive to get there

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We are so excited to be in the wonderful town of Kent with our second store! 109 Cheese Market, Kent has all of the goodies from our Ridgefield cheese shop packed into 400 square feet of grape green goodness.  One of the things that we love about Kent is the drive up there.  From Ridgefield, if you take route 37 or route 39 into Sherman and then continue up route 7 through Gaylordsville you are in for a treat. Beautiful New England roads with the perfect 109 lunch destination.  As many of you know, we love vintage cars and love the road-trip and this is a road-trip worth taking!  

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109 Kent is located at 14 North Main Street (Route 7) in Kent.

We are open Thursday – Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-5

860-592-0366

It’s only cheese in Kent, so grab a bottle of rosé at 109 Wine before you go!

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Memorial Day 2015 Cheese & Wine Picks

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Our Weekend Cheeses picks

Leonora goat cheese from Leon Spain, we just love this goat with a bloomy rind, its beautiful creamy texture with a citrus and herb zing, is the perfect balance for any cheese board.
Harbison this amazing camembert style cheese from Jasper Hill in Greensboro Vermont has a lovely surprise with it’s spruce ribbon which lends a woodsy sweet note to this ridiculously ooey gooey soft-ripened cheese. You could eat it with a spoon….

Cremeux de Citeaux: A triple-crème cow’s milk cheese featuring an incredibly creamy, thick consistency, this buttery beauty has a bouquet of toasted nuts, mushrooms and truffles, and is delightful paired with fruity white wines or Champagne.

“Stag” a Hoop Cheddar From Deer Creek in Wisconsin. Select vats of cheddar that are chosen for further aging to allow for the development of the intense, bold flavor characteristics of The Stag. It is rugged, driving strong toffee and butterscotch notes, yet possesses a sweet finish. As it ages, The Stag develops a hint of crystalline crunch to further enliven the taste buds with rich texture as well as flavor. The Stag is a true Wisconsin Original. Perfect on any cheese board or topped on any burger. 1st Place winner at the 2013 American Cheese Society competition. Named as one of the “101 Best Cheeses of the Year” by Culture Magazine.
Our favorite burger blue “Chiraboga” from Bavaria . Raw cow’s milk Aged for at least two months, pale white in color and lightly blued, the texture is soft, creamy and moist, with a mild, lightly acid, buttery flavor, sweet and milky, with a lovely blueish note that doesn’t leave a metallic finish. Reminiscent of but not quite as decadent as Gorgonzola Dolce, this is an easy-eating, delicious blue cheese.
Saulnois is the pride of a small creamery in the region of Lorraine, in northeast France, an area that stakes its gastronomic fame largely on quiche lorraine and plum brandy. The Mirabelle plum, a small golden fruit about the size of a large cherry tomato, can be eaten fresh or made into jam, but brandy is its highest and best use. Wheels of Saulnois are washed with this brandy, in texture and aroma, this cow’s milk wheel is similar to alpine cheeses such as Comte and Tomme de Savoie.

Our Weekend Wine picks

Saint Pierre Rosé Brut
– a delicious dry sparkling wine from the south of France. The wine has a beautiful pinkish-salmon hue and delicate flavors of strawberry. $24/bottle.

Gobelsburg Rosé 2014
– An Austrian made rosé from the Zweigelt grape. A hugely successful wine for us last summer has finally arrived and is every bit as delicious as last years bottling.
Pastou Sancerre 2014
– what a value at $20 a bottle! This is a signature expression of French sauvignon blanc. A great summer time white and a classic pairing with goat cheese.

Domaine Schoech Riesling 2012
– this Alsatian riesling is bone dry and loaded with beautiful acidity and flavors of apple and citrus. $29/bottle

Monsecco “Sizzano” 2011
– a blend of nebbioolo, vespolina, and uva rara. This is lush beauty from the Alto Piedmont region of Italy just south of the Dolomite mountain range. It has great texture and layers and layers of vibrant flavors.

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières “Sablet” 2012
– I love this red blend from the Rhone valley of France. This wine is super-versatile, pair it with burgers, barbecue, or even a cheese board. $20/bottle.