Here is a link to Part 2
For dessert, we decided upon a cheese tray for a few reasons. Amy had been reading the latest issue of the Wine Spectator and the cover story was all about cheese. Kathy and I are organizing a wine shopping bus trip to the Premier Group store in Kenmore NY and thought a small pre-event wine and cheese party might be fun so we needed to scope out supplies.
I had heard about Mickey McGuire’s Cheese Shop in Dundas as one of our wine club members had purchased some cheese from McGuire's for a previous wine club meeting and it was first rate. So, Kathy and I thought it be fun to scope out the place before we needed to shop for our wine and cheese pre-event and purchase the cheese for our Saturday night dessert at the same time.
Mick and Amy had picked up a bottle of Yalumba Antique Tawny on their recent trip to the US which was another great reason to go with cheese.
"Too good for words!"I was surprised at how small Mickey McGuire's Cheese Shop was and how big the selection was for the size. All of the staff was incredibly passionate about cheese. They would happily cut of a piece for you to try and tell you all about the cheese as you tasted it. There were no prices and no signs on any of the cheeses. If you wanted to know anything about a specific cheese you asked. Conversely if you need a cheese to pair with something or were looking for certain qualities in a cheese you could just ask.
It was a fun experience. I did find it a bit pricey but one would expect to pay more for premium cheese and great service. I have added a link to Mickey McGuire’s Cheese on the right hand side of the webpage in the “Links” sections.
In the end we bought a mild goat’s cheese, a peppercorn goat’s cheese, a Le Gruyère Premier Cru, a blue cheese with a red wine crust, and the most awesome cheese ever – St. Agur which is a creamy French blue.
Here is what Wikipedia had to say about the Le Gruyère Premier Cru -
Le Gruyère Premier Cru is a special variety, produced and matured exclusively in the canton of Fribourg and matured for 14 months in humid caves with a humidity of 95% and a temperature of 13.5° Celsius.
It is the only cheese that has won the title of best cheese of the world at the World Cheese Awards in London three times: in 1992, 2002 and 2005.
The two favourites for the night were the St. Agur and the Le Gruyère Premier Cru.
The port was a great pairing with the Blue cheeses and the Gruyère and ok with the goat’s cheese.
The Yalumba Antique Tawny had its usual nose of stewed prunes and caramel. The port is so smooth and sweet it reminds you of toffee as you drink it. It is an amazing port and I highly recommend this as a “must buy” if you find it.
This was purchased in the US and is not available at the LCBO. It is $17 US for a 375 mL bottle which is about $27 Canadian after duty, taxes and exchange rates.
Here is the group rating for the wine –Mick – 90, Mark – 94, Kathy – 90, Amy – 90, Overall – 91
Here is what the Wine Spectator had to say about it –
Yalumba Tawny Port Barossa Museum Release Antique NV
Lightly sweet and elegant, not a huge, mouthfilling style but one that unfolds its walnut, nutmeg, cinnamon and coffee flavors on a lithe, silky sweet background. Drink now. –HS
Score – 92, Price $15/375mL
It was good to have Mick and Amy back but my waistline isn’t thanking them after all that wonderful food.
Cheers!
Mark
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