Vacherin Mont-D'Or

This is brine washed cheese that has a thick orangey-brown velvety crust.  It is wrapped on the outer edge in spruce bark.  The bark imparts a wonderful flavour to the cheese.  The taste is unctuous and it has a "never to be forgotten" flavour.  We tasted it in the Jura as a very young cheese, and it was already so delicious.  The cheese becomes almost liquid as it matures.  We were fortunate to have it paired with Chateau Chalon, a wine produced in the Jura.  It is also an excellent pairing with Champagne.  You may also have it at the end of the meal with a sweet sherry such as a Pedro Ximenez.

This wonderful cheese is produced in the fall, and arrives the same year in Vancouver in time for the holiday season. Vacherin Mont d'Or is a treat not to be missed.  We will be accepting orders until mid October. A credit card number will be required for deposit.  Price is TBA ($30 est.)

TEXTURE: Firm

PRICE: Estimated at $30.00 a round. (Available only in whole 500 gram size)

WEIGHT: 500 grams

PAIRING WITH WINE: Chateau Chalon (Jura), Champagne or Pedro Ximenez

Gismondi On Wine Picks

88/100 Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut N/V
Sonoma County, California, United States
The Sonoma Brut is a workhorse sparkler from GF made from over 40 separate selections of pinot noir and chardonnay grown on the 340 acre estate just north and west of San Pablo Bay. It's crisp, tangy, pear fruit flavours are fruit forward with just a hint of almonds in the background. There's none of the austerity that can plague so many Old World sparklers and there's none of the sweet fruit flavours that are the bane of New World bubble. It is delicious stylish and fun to drink.
Blend: Pinot Noir - Chardonnay
Tasted: 2003-05-28 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $29.95
CSPC: 192898;   UPC: 33293111009
Producer: Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
Distributor: Airen Imports; Clarus; Vinterra Wine Merchants
 
92/100 G. H. Mumm & Cie Mumm de Cramant N/V
Champagne, France
Mumm de Cramant is a Blanc de Blancs made from 100 per cent chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. Look for a pale yellow color. Light, lively mousse, persistent. Delicate fresh aromas of green apples, pear, citrus. Fresh, light citrus, pear, green apple flavors, dry, elegant, long finish with lower mousse. Very nice.
Tasted: 2003-03-05 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $78.45 Speculative - Corby
UPC: 3043700104460
Producer: G. H. Mumm & Cie
Distributor: Corby Distilleries Limited

88/100 G. H. Mumm & Cie Cordon Rouge N/V
Champagne, France
Pale yellow color. Persistent mousse. Nice aromas and flavors of cream, green apples, melon, citrus, slight toast. Rich, round, well balanced with good acidity and mouth feel. Mumm has done a fine job of upgrading its quality throughout the 1990s. 45 per cent pinot noir, 25 per cent chardonnay, 20 per cent pinot meunier and 10 per cent reserve wines. BC $42.25
Blend: Chardonnay - Pinot Noir - Pinot Meunier
Tasted: 2003-03-05 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $49.95 Specialty
CSPC: 308056;   UPC: 87000103818
Producer: G. H. Mumm & Cie
Distributor: Corby Distilleries Limited
 
86/100 Sergio Mionetto Spumante Extra Dry N/V
Ripe red apple nose with a streak of citrus. Enticing creamy textures and dry fruit flavours. Contemporary master vintner Sergio Mionetto produces this wine based on a formula handed down by Francesco Mionetto, who founded the property in 1887. A touch of two ancient grape varieties, unique to the region, are blended with the finest Prosecco grapes. The result is a dry, slightly fruity, creamy peach apple wine with just a hint of acidic crispness. Think after dinner.
Tasted: 2003-03-01 by AG
Prices: BC $19.99
CSPC: 515551;   UPC: 8006220110576
Producer: Mionetto S.p.A.
Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.

87/100 Mionetto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Frizzante N/V
Veneto, Italy
Uncanny golden delicious apple scents with mineral streaks. This is the Prosecco for which the Veneto region is famous, and represents the best of the Valdobbiadene winemaking traditions, including the string-tied cork. Look for a firm dry mi-palate with similar mineral apple flavours. Well-made serious sparkler. Expect half the bubbles of a full sparkling wine. Perfect for summer garden parties.
Tasted: 2003-02-28 by AG
Prices: BC $17.99 General
CSPC: 432369;   UPC: 8006220002000
Producer: Mionetto S.p.A.
Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.

89/100 de Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut Sélect N/V
Champagne, France
Nutty bread crust aromas with citrus and green apple notes. Fairly flat on the palate with apple skin and toasted nut and citrus flavours. Nicely balanced and set up for food. It can be matched with more sophisticated flavours like veal sweetbreads with celery, egg mayonnaise with crab or oysters in seawater aspic.
Blend: Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Pinot
Tasted: 2003-02-25 by AG
Prices: BC $44.95 Specialty
CSPC: 207134;   UPC: 3291690500018
Producer: de Venoge
Distributor: 
 
86/100 Segura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva N/V
Penedès, Cataluna, Spain
This popular cava fills the glass with baked apple citrus and floral notes with just a hint of almonds in the background. It's round dry and creamy with almond/ apple/ pear flavours. The finish mixes toasted nut and citrus flavours. A solid sparkler for the money and tailor made for pre-dinner appetizers.
Blend: Macabeo - Parellada - Xarello
Tasted: 2002-12-05 by AG
Prices: BC $13.99
CSPC: 158493;   UPC: 33293690009
Producer: Segura Viudas
Distributor: International Cellars Inc.

86/100 Gray Monk Odyssey Méthode Classique 2000
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
This is only the second sparkling wine produced by Gray Monk and only 200 cases were released. The blend is riesling and chardonnay and the nose is green apple citrus rind and touch of lees. Green apple mineral and under ripe nectarine flavours pervade its creamy texture. Use as an apéritif or summer picnic bubble.
Blend: Riesling - Chardonnay
Tasted: 2002-12-05 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $24.95 Winery
CSPC: 711218;   UPC: 778829000401
Producer: Gray Monk Estate Winery
Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

91/100 Moët & Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon 1993
Champagne, France
Say what you like about Dom but don't say it isn't one of the best champagnes in the world. Sophisticated rich elegant creamy the descriptors flow as easily as the bubble itself. The perfect mix of toast and hazelnut on a leanish French frame. Where's the party.
Blend: Pinot Noir - Chardonnay
Tasted: 2002-12-01 by AG
Prices: BC $160.00
CSPC: 280461;   UPC: 3185370125014
Producer: Moet & Chandon
Distributor: Select Wine Merchants
 
91/100 Lanson Black Label Brut N/V
Champagne, France
Persistent mousse. Toasty biscuity baked apple aromas. Lovely soft elegant round entry that is flavoured with toasted, nutty, citrus fruit and green apple flavours. A round elegant, easy sipping champagne that offers fabulous value to consumers.
Blend: Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Pinot
Tasted: 2002-11-25 by AG
Prices: BC $39.95
CSPC: 041889;   UPC: 626990004837
Producer: Champagne Lanson
Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants 

All cheese information courtesy of Alice & Allison Spurrell, the mother and daughter owners of Les Amis du FROMAGE. The store regularly stocks more than 300 types of cheese for sale to both trade and consumers alike. Les Amis du FROMAGE is a recipient of a Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Award as Top Food Supplier to Vancouver Restaurants.