Rogue River Blue and a Cheese Gift Guide
Don’t you need yet another gift guide?
Hello congregants!
The holidays bring some of the world’s most coveted cheeses: crystal-studded extra aged wheels like Comté Sagesse and L’Amuse Brabander Reserve goat gouda, gooey bark-wrapped washed rinds like Vacherin Mont d’Or and her American counterpart Rush Creek Reserve, and, of course, the award-winning boozy leaf-wrapped Rogue River Blue, our featured cheese of the month. Below, I’ve included everything you need to know about our favorite Christmas blue, plus a list of my favorite cheese presents to add to the glut of gift guides out there. Let’s get to it!
Cheese of the Month: Rogue River Blue
Rogue Creamery is known for their blue cheeses, but none are revered like the ephemeral Rogue River Blue. She’s a tribute to her Oregon homeland, made only in the autumn when the cooling temperatures and rainfall reinvigorate the lush pastures. All of this makes for especially rich, fatty milk, which helps create her soft, yielding texture. Each wheel is wrapped in local Syrah leaves that have been hand-picked and macerated in pear brandy, then tied up with raffia ribbon like a little present. She’s aged 9 to 11 months and released on the Autumnal Equinox.
While she’s been a beloved holiday icon for decades, Rogue River Blue became an international starlet when she took home gold at the 2019/2020 World Cheese Awards. Ever since, demand skyrocketed and so did her price tag. She always cost a pretty penny, but nowadays it’s pretty normal to pay $55 per pound. With notes of chocolate-covered raisins, praline hazelnuts, and bacon, I’d say she’s worth her weight in gold.
Since she’s such a special (and expensive) cheese, I like to keep pairings pretty minimum. Usually, I just stick to sparkling wine and some pears to cleanse the palate between bites. Let me know how you’d pair Rogue River Blue in the comments below!
How to Serve: by the wedge with a cheese spreader or butter knife. Definitely keep her leaf-wrapping on for the festive presentation.
Sweet Pairings: pears, dark chocolate, truffle honey, spiced cherry compote, dried apricots, raisins, vanilla wafer cookies
Savory Pairings: candied bacon, roasted hazelnuts, prosciutto
What to Drink: Champagne, sauternes, Manhattan, or a pomegranate spritz
Where to Buy: look for her at specialty shops and even supermarkets like Whole Foods and Kroger. Find a local cheese shop near you or checkout my online retailer list. You can also order directly from Rogue Creamery.
Similar cheeses to try: Shakerag Blue from Sequatchi Cove or Spanish Queso de Valdeon (an affordable option that’s still very delicious)
The Cheese Church Gift Guide
All my favorite pairings, gear, books, and more.
Edibles:
Cheesemonger Box: there are tons of cheese boxes out there, but this one is my favorite
Violet Sky Chocolates: a tiny bean-to-bar chocolatier located in South Bend, Indiana
Fancy Jam: my favorites are Quince and Apple figs and black tea, The Preservation Society pepper jelly, The Jam Stand raspberry jalapeño jam, Brins banana jam, and Girl Meets Dirt Island plum preserves
M. Cacao Cheese-Infused Truffles: full disclosure, I got a free sample of these but they’re gorgeous and I really like the flavor combination
Tools:
W&P Cheese Knife: an all-purpose hatchet knife, which is perfect for chipping off snackable lil’ chunks
Mini Black Knife Set from Boska: they’re cute, goth, and come at a good price point
Cheese knives from Chelsea Miller: expensive but handmade out of retired farming equipment and incredibly beautiful
Mini Raclette Grill: pair with a wedge of Raclette and a jar of fancy pickles for a perfect little gift basket
Brooklyn Slates: chic and easy to clean, unlike cheaper slates that are easily stained
Formaticum cheese storage paper: I love their zero line, which is biodegradable and compostable, and their cheese storage bags, which are super easy to use
Cheese Wire: an essential for cutting delicate soft cheeses
Cheese Grotto: for the serious cheese connoisseur! It’s essentially a storage humidor that recreates the dank conditions of a cheese cave, keeping your cheese fresh and healthy. This week, I’m giving away The Piatto, their petite model, paired it with three Marin French petite cheeses: camembert, garlic and pepper, and truffle. Check out my Instagram to enter to win!
Reads:
Cheese Sex Death: yes, I’m plugging my book and also asking you to order through BookShop.org to support local book shops
Oxford Guide to Cheese: this one’s for the curd nerd
The Book of Cheese: my favorite book on cheese profiles
Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese: the newest release from cheese icon Tenaya Darlington
Etc.
Scandle Cheese Candles: who doesn’t love a cheese candle? I also like these ones from Artifaqt
Fashion Brand Company Swiss Cheese Jacket: you won’t be warm but you will be chic there’s a jacket, a top, pants, and a dress
Mike Geno Cheese Ornaments: the iconic cheese painter now makes beautiful ornaments (which are definitely all over my tree)
Cheese Divination Session: have your fortune read by the world’s only cheese tyromancer! You can book online or in-person if you’re local to Chicago
Cheese Candles, FBC Cheese Jacket, and a Tyromancy Class
How about gifting a subscription to the Cheese Church Bulletin?
Have a lovely December, and Cheesus bless!
<3 Erika