On the whole, I just want to say that there are a staggering number of good cheese books out at the moment, and this is one of them. It's useful, as any guide should be, and strikingly efficient. The preface offers background on cheese-making, notes on animal breeds, graphic depictions of cheese styles, and suggestions for buying and tasting cheese. Then, Davies offers an alphabetical index of over 300 West Coast cheeses with wine pairings and a few tasting notes on each. If I lived on the West Coast, I'd keep this book in my glove compartment, along with a bread knife and some grainy mustard. Why not add this book to your cheese travel-kit?
For armchair travelers, this guide offers a dizzying range of cheese names that are fun to say: Franklin's Rinconada Teleme, Cougar Gold, Jupiter Moon, Petit Marcel, UFO, Pianoforte, Brewleggio. One can dream...one can dream.
The winner of this treasure will also receive a copy Essential Wines and Wineries of the Pacific Northwest, by Cole Danehover. Why? Because if you're going to drive around sampling cheese, you'll need to know where to stop for vino.
I'll announce the lucky winner on Monday, Sept. 6, 2010 at 6 p.m.. Preference goes to anyone with a VW bus or built-in cheeseboard-dashboard.
I must have this book because a) I am a newly appointed cheese enthusiast and this will contribute to my growing education and b) I am currently in a serious relationship with Humboldt Fog and he agrees, this book has my name on it!
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't have a Vanagon or built-in cheese board, I feel that this book would be the first step in that direction. Love the cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery and want to know more about the West Coast!
ReplyDeleteBecause I spent half of my life in California, Oregon, and Washington, but can only now afford to live the life of a cheese enthusiast.
ReplyDeleteI must have this book because I can't get enough cheese in my life. I probably have cheese everyday - but besides my palate, I think educating on the intellectual side of cheese is so important. Finally, I'm in the process of building my food blog and I could feature, write, and learn through this book for my covering on cheese :) Mmm, thanks for offering this, great idea! My mouth is watering.
ReplyDeleteI had to peel myself away from a wheel of Oregonzola to write this... cheesy fingers do not make typing easy! I would love the chance to delve into this book so I can expand my fromage horizons. And, as a Portlander, all selections should be easily accessible!
ReplyDelete**Disclaimer: I do not have a VW Bus or built in cheese dashboard, but my first car was a '78 VW Beetle... close enough, right!?
I absolutely must havethis book because while I have loved cheese my entire life I have only recently begun to explore the cheese world beyond Cracker Barrel & Cabot. And while I am an avid reader of blogs like this one I do not yet own a book dedicated solely to cheese so this would be my first. In short I need this book as a part of my continuing education in all things cheese....
ReplyDeleteI must have this book so that you can come over and view at it from time to time. Actually, I don't really deserve it. I must try the Oregonzola (as posted above)! Man, that sounds good. xx
ReplyDeleteI MUST have that book for a number of reasons - 1) I first discovered the Cheese Plate in Vegas at Mario Batali's Enoteca San Marco and I've been on the quest for the best cheese plate ever since. 2) I'm moving to the West Coast in December! And 3) I just started a CHeese Plate category on my food blog and would LOVE to add more to that list ASAP!
ReplyDeletedoniree at gmail dot com
Cheese and Vino are Life and I want to live it!!!! I desperately NEED this book!
ReplyDeleteI must have this book to remind me that there are places beyond southwest Florida. I am seriously considering giving everyone on my Christmas list Cougar Gold can banks!
ReplyDeleteI must have this book because my new goal is return to white water raft on the Rogue River while eating Crater Lake Blue and drinking a nice Oregon vino. The rapids aren't very challenging, but it will still be difficult to balance a cheese plate and avoiding that "white water swimming." I will take photos.
ReplyDeleteI must have this book so my sister and I can use it to help plan our wild food and wine adventures!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, everybody. Lindesey Nicolescu of Comment #5 won the drawing, thanks to the random number generator whose name is Todd. Lindsey, please shoot an email with your mailing address to me at tenayadarlington@gmail.com -- I'll pop both books in the mail this week.
ReplyDelete