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A Guide to Wine Cocktails
Sometimes you want to throw a party that is a little out of the ordinary. Perhaps you have a special birthday or anniversary coming up? One way that we like to create a special atmosphere is to serve a signature drink. Today we are going to help you explore the unusual world of wine cocktails. First, we’ll explain two of the ingredients as they aren’t your usual red or white wine!
Ingredients for Wine Cocktails: Vermouth
Vermouth is flavoured with an infusion of herbs, spices and peels and is one of the most widely used aromatized wines. An aromatized wine is a fortified wine that has had flavours such as herbs, spices, and fruits added to it. It is made by using a base wine which has alcohol and dry ingredients added that will infuse flavor. It may then by sweetened with cane sugar or caramelized sugar. Red vermouths are usually sweeter, whilst pale vermouths will be dry.
Ingredients for Wine Cocktails: Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that have been air-dried. It has a sweet, spiced taste almost like a Christmas cake. There is a wide variety of different sherries from dry Manzanilla to sweet Pedro Ximenez. It works well with spirits such as whiskey and combines with citrus flavours.
Wine Cocktails
Sherry Cobbler
This is said to date back to the 1820s and 1830s. It’s a simple way of drinking sherry that allows the flavours to shine through. The ingredients are muddled and then shaken over ice. Garnish it with a lemon wheel, berries and mint.
- Amontillado Sherry
- Simple syrup
- Orange slices
French 75
A slightly sweet cocktail that is best served very cold. Make sure that you use a chilled glass and mix everything together well to keep it fresh. The gin, lemon juice and syrup are mixed and then topped up with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist for extra flair.
- Gin
- Lemon juice
- Simple syrup
- Champagne
Sangria
This is a classic Spanish cocktail that combines wine with fruity flavours. It is usually garnished with plenty of fruit including slices of orange, lemon and apples.
- Wine – a dry red is usually best as you are adding sweetness
- Brandy
- Triple sec
- Fruit juice – usually orange
- Simple syrup
- Lemonade is sometimes used, especially in white wine sangrias
Martini
The classic cocktail, a martini can be made with vodka or gin. Served in a martini glass, it’s probably one of the most glamorous things that you can order at a bar. It is sometimes garnished with a lemon twist or an olive.
- 6 parts gin/vodka
- 1 part dry vermouth
Do you ever make wine cocktails? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Beer Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
What is Beer Cheese?
Beer Cheese is one of our Wisconsin Cheeses along with Muenster, Brick, Limburger, and our American Cheeses. It is full flavored, salty and tangy; you won’t be missing out on flavor if you try this cheese.
Beer Cheese is a semi-soft combination of Limburger Cheese and Brick Cheese. Not to be mistaken for the Beer Cheese dips that are popular in Kentucky, it has a very strong smell and taste.
How is it made?
Beer Cheese starts production in a very similar way to Brick Cheese, which is cultured at a slightly higher temperature than Cheddar, giving it a marginally higher fat content and slightly altering the protein structure. To make it into Beer Cheese, it is aged in very humid conditions for around seven months.
How should I eat it?
Traditionally, Germans like to put it on rye or pumpernickel bread along with some sliced onion and have it with beer. It is also a good pairing with salami and mustard. Try it with a honey mustard for extra sweetness. It can be stirred into soups and dips, but we would recommend tasting as you cook so that you don’t overpower the flavors of any dish you are making. It is also good grated over spätzle, a German type of pasta.
What should I drink with it?
Beer, of course! We recommend trying it with a German beer as you’ll get the full experience, but you can try it with your favorite drink as well. Some people even dip the cheese directly into their beer!
One final word of warning: make sure that you store this cheese, alone, in an airtight container. Its smell is so strong that otherwise, you run the risk of it permeating the other foods in your fridge.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our exploration of this strong cheese. If you are a beer lover, why not try our Beer Collection? It contains four different kinds of cheese chosen to pair with the strong flavors of beer and will serve around 20 guests, making it perfect for a tasting party!
Have you tried our Beer Cheese? Let us know how you like to enjoy it in the comments below!
Foods To Try If You’re Going Sugar Free
We know that more and more people are trying to cut sugar out of their diet. You might have some health concerns and be trying to combat them with a low sugar diet. You might simply want to explore alternatives. Today we’re going to share with you some of our products which can help you to reduce sugar cravings whilst still enjoying balanced, healthy meals.
The first thing we would recommend is going to our Skinny Alternatives section. Here, you’ll find healthy cheeses, sugar-free chocolates, calorie-free dressings and a wide range of snacks.
Sugar Free Chocolate
We stock a wide range of sugar free chocolates including the Cashew Praline, Mint Meltaway, and Peanut Clusters. All of these deliver great taste and texture without the sugar so that you can enjoy a treat without worrying about your health.
Walden Farms: Sugar Free Syrups and Dips
We’re proud to stock Walden Farms products here at Shisler’s Cheese House. We stock their syrup in Blueberry, Chocolate, and Strawberry, as well as their pancake syrup. You can enjoy delicious syrup with no calories, fat, carbs, gluten or sugars of any kind. They are made with concentrated fruit extract and natural flavor. Enjoy them in a glass of milk, over ice cream, with fresh fruit or in a smoothie. Make yourself some easy sugar free pancakes and drizzle them with pancake syrup for an amazing healthy breakfast or dessert.
Our favorite sugar free batter recipe is to mix:
2 mashed bananas
2 eggs
1/2 cup wholewheat flour
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Once you have a nice smooth batter, simply drop spoonfuls into a hot pan and then flip when you start to see air bubbles appearing. They’re quick and delicious!
Walden Farms also make calorie free dips in both chocolate and caramel flavor. The chocolate dip is made with premium natural cocoa beans, real chocolate, and other natural flavors, while the natural caramel flavor is great with slices of apple or pear.
As if that wasn’t enough, there is also a calorie free marshmallow dip! It is made with all natural vanilla flavor and is delicious with your favorite fruits, in a parfait, a smoothie, with yogurt, or as a topping on pudding or Jell-O. You’ll be spoilt for choice!
Walden Farms Calorie Free Salad Dressings
We’re also lucky enough to have a whole range of calorie free salad dressings, so you can avoid the hidden sugar that pops up even in savory dishes. Choose from a wide range of flavors including Ranch, Italian Sun Dried Tomato, and Honey Dijon. Just like the syrups, they have no calories, fat, carbs, gluten or sugars of any kind.
Try them drizzled over salads, as flavor in your sandwiches or as a marinade for grilled meats, fish or vegetables.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our exploration of our sugar free range. Hopefully, you found something to try this week. What are your favorite ways to reduce the sugar in your diet? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We wanted to wish all of our customers a very Happy Valentine’s Day!
Whether you’re celebrating love this week or taking some time to celebrate yourself, we wanted to share some ideas for making the day extra special.
We’ve created two fabulous gift boxes that are sure to hit the right note on February 14th.
Our Valentine’s Day All Chocolate Gift Box is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Inside you’ll find a Heggy’s Solid Milk Chocolate Heart, Chocolate Cheese, Heggy’s Milk Chocolate Turtles, and two kinds of chocolate covered fruit!
With this much chocolate packed in, your loved ones will be thinking of you for a long time.
Our Valentine’s Day Gift Box combines some of our favorite treats. Inside you’ll find Havarti Cheese, a Heggy’s Milk Chocolate Heart, Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl Fudge, Strawberry Caramel Creams and Yogurt Covered Cranberries.
This is the ideal gift if you’re preparing a special dinner and want to have cheese and sweet treats to complete the evening.
If these selections aren’t quite right for your loved ones, check out our huge range of gift boxes. You’re sure to find something that will help you demonstrate your love.
Now all that’s left to do is plan the perfect date night. Here are some ideas that we love!
1. Movie night
Whether you head out to the cinema or stay in with lots of blankets curled up on the sofa, watching a movie together is always fun. Choose a classic that you’ve seen before so that you two can reminisce about your first dates and make sure that you’ve got plenty of popcorn!
2. Hiking
Grab some trail mix and head out for a hike. This is a great way to get to know your partner better, as you support each other to get to your destination. Take along a picnic for an even more romantic day.
3. Take a brewery or winery tour
This is a super fun way to spend an evening. Find a local brewery or winery that holds tours and head along. You’ll learn something new about how your favorite tipple is made and you might even get to try some samples along the way!
4. Take a cooking class
Instead of putting the pressure on one person to cook a stunning meal this Valentine’s Day, or booking a busy restaurant, why not head to a cooking class? You’ll be sure to have fun goofing around and you should get a great meal out of it at the end. If it’s a disaster, you can always grab a takeaway and file it away in your funny stories to tell the kids.
5. Go to a spa
The ultimate in relaxing dates, if you are both in need of some time out then book into a spa. Whether you try out the treatments on offer or simply sip champagne in the hot tub is up to you, but it’s always good to find time to relax.
However you are spending your Valentine’s Day, we hope that it is one filled with love!
Everything That You Need to Know About Vegan Wine
If you have been interested to hear about Veganuary or wanted to learn more about veganism, you might want to start by learning about vegan wines!
What is Vegan Wine
Vegans exclude all animal products including meat, eggs and dairy products. Vegan wine is simply wine that has been produced without using any animal products. Some wines are not vegan will use animal products in the fining process, to remove impurities. Whilst these are not left in the wine that we drink, they will leave some residue behind, making them unsuitable for vegans.
The Winemaking Process
Wine is made by harvesting, crushing and pressing grapes to extract the juice. Sugar and yeast are used to ferment the juice, producing alcohol. The base wines undergo a fining process to remove any impurities and then the wine will be aged or bottled ready for sale. It is the fining process that introduces animal products into the wine. You can learn more about how wine is made in our blog post on the subject.
What Animal Products are Used in Wine?
The fining process binds together the impurities in the wine so that they can be removed. Some of the most common fining agents include:
- Egg whites (sometimes known as albumen)
- Gelatine (made from boiling animal parts)
- Isinglass (gelatine fish bladder)
- Casein (milk protein)
- Chitin (fiber from crustacean shells)
- Fish oil
- Blood and bone marrow
Alternative fining agents that are vegan include carbon, bentonite clay, limestone, kaolin clay, plant casein, silica gel, and vegetable plaques.
How to Tell If a Wine is Vegan or Vegetarian-Friendly
Many labels for wine do not include their ingredients or the ‘suitable for vegetarians/vegans’ label that you would expect to find on other groceries. Some wines will be labelled ‘unfiltered’ or ‘unfined’, so these will usually be vegan. One of the best ways to get hold of vegan wine is to ask for help at a wine store or even a supermarket. The staff will usually have a good knowledge of which winemakers do not use animal products when making wine. Online wine merchants often have a section for vegan wine so that you can be sure you’re buying what you need.
Have you ever tried the vegan diet? Let us know in the comments, we would love to hear your thoughts!
How Wine is Made
We know that lots of our customers are avid wine lovers, so today we thought we would give you a brief explanation of how wine is made. Next time you’re hosting a party or tasting a new wine, you’ll be sure to impress your friends with your knowledge!
The Harvest
Grapes are usually harvested in late summer and autumn. Wine grapes are often harvested at night because the temperature in the day can change the sugar composition of the grapes. This might affect the fermentation process. Sparkling wine grapes are harvested first to keep the sugar levels low, followed by white wine grapes and then red wine grapes which take longer to mature.
Whilst harvesting by hand allows selection of the best grapes and can protect against damage, many large vineyards will use mechanical harvesting as it can be quicker and cost-effective.
Crushing and Pressing the Grapes
Crushing the grapes bursts the skins so that the whole grape can be exposed to fermentation. This was historically done by stomping on the grapes with your feet. Now it is usually done by pushing the grapes through a machine. The crush gets the juices of the grapes flowing and allows this to come into contact with the skins. This is essential for red and rose wines but will be avoided for white and most sparkling wines.
The pressing separates the grape juice from the rest of the grape solids. Wineries may use a pneumatic press to make the juice drain out or use the weight of the grapes themselves to cause the juice to run.
Fermentation
Fermentation occurs when sugars and yeast are exposed to each other and it produces alcohol in wine. Crushing the grapes allows the natural sugar found inside to combine with the yeast on the skin. It might take place in stainless steel tanks, open plastic vats or wine barrels. The temperature is closely controlled to ensure that it does not get too high and kill the yeast.
Clarification
Once fermented, the wine will be clarified to make it clear. The yeast sediment will be removed and a process of fining may take place. This involves adding a substance to collect and remove all of the unwanted particles in the wine. Fining agents include gelatine, isinglass (gelatine derived from fish), egg white, casein (a dairy protein), and bentonite (a clay).
Blending and Aging
The wine will be blended from the different grape varieties required as well as different plots within the vineyard to create the blend required. Some wines may have over 100 base wines blended together. Then the wine will move into the aging stage. Only some wines will benefit from significant aging, whilst others will be better when they are still young. This depends on the variety of grapes and the conditions in which they were grown.
Winemakers may choose to age the wine in the bottle. Alternatively, barrel aging may add flavor to the wine. Oak barrels, for example, can impart vanilla flavors and a silky texture to wines.
Bottling
Wine is usually poured into bottles by a machine and then sealed with a cork. The corker vacuums the air out of the bottle to remove oxygen which might otherwise break down the wine.
We hope that you have learned some more about how wine is made. Got any questions? Let us know in the comments!
Scotch: How to Choose a Bottle of Whisky
Did you know we offer a cheese collection specifically designed to pair with whisky? Our Scotch Collection includes generous portions of Danish Blue Cheese, Gruyere, Cheddar, and Parmesan.
We thought we would put together some top tips to help you choose a scotch, as we know it can be rather daunting when you are faced with a shelf full of options.
What is Scotch?
Scotch is whisky that is made in Scotland. It is mostly made from malted barley, in comparison to American bourbon whiskey which is distilled from corn.
The flavors
You will often hear a whisky described as ‘peaty’. This means that peat, an accumulation of decaying plant matter, has been used to help malt the barley. It imparts a smoky flavor with rich, grassy qualities.
Some whiskies are sweeter and will have flavors of fruit, vanilla, or spices. Malt and honey might come through, or for the lightest scotch, you may even taste floral notes.
Regions of Scotland
There are four recognized regions for scotch to come from: Highland, Speyside, Islay, and Lowland. Whilst there are some characteristics typical of these regions, this is due to the work of the disChotillery, not the growing conditions in each location. So, unlike when selecting a wine, you don’t need to be as tied to seeking out bottles from specific locations.
Because the Highland region is so large, there is a lot of variation, but generally speaking the whiskies are spicier in the North, whilst they become sweeter in the South. Lowland Scotch is generally lighter and less peaty. Speyside distilleries tend to produce malty, sweet scotch, whilst Islay use the most peat, producing very smokey whiskies with a dry finish.
Choosing a Scotch for you
Of course, you need to decide which flavors you prefer when it comes to your drink. Seek advice from your local shops and tell them what you do and do not like so that they can find you a whisky that fits your preferred flavor profile.
If you’re just starting out trying scotch, then you might want to try a light coloured bottle that will have sweet flavors, rather than going for an extremely smoky finish straight away. However, if you know that you love the smoky taste then don’t let us stop you from enjoying it!
How much to spend
Generally speaking, this is a drink that gets more expensive if it is older. This is not only due to the process involved in aging the whisky, but because they are likely to be rarer bottles. Whilst it is absolutely not essential to choose a more expensive, aged bottle, you will find that cheaper whiskies may not have the smoothness or richness of a more prestigious pour. It’s also important to check that you are buying a single malt scotch, rather than a blended whisky.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips and they help you to pick out your next bottle. Why not make an evening of it with our Scotch Collection? It can feed up to 20 guests so you’re sure to be able to put together a fun party.
What’s your favorite scotch? Let us know in the comments!
Walnut Creek Pickles: Explore the Full Range
Sometimes we like to help you explore our ranges in more detail here on the blog. Today we are looking at Walnut Creek Pickles. Read on to find out all about the range and their many uses. We are a proud supplier of Walnut Creek foods and we think you’ll see why.
Walnut Creek Foods President, Mark Coblentz, told us: “Honesty and integrity have always been hallmarks of our company. Early on, one of my new customers received a three-cent credit from me. It convinced her that we were a company she wanted to do business with. She became a lifelong fan of Walnut Creek Cheese and a friend of the family. My first warehouse was a couple of refrigerated truck beds and a shed on my dad’s farm. In 1984, when more space became necessary, we built our first building in Walnut Creek, Ohio. We attached a retail store to it, primarily so I could justify having personnel to answer the phone for wholesale orders and pick-ups. Although the retail store began as an afterthought, it was the beginning of us becoming a team. In an interesting development, the retail exposure and knowledge of products needed to make retail successful were used to better serve our wholesale customers as well.”
Walnut Creek Pickles: Hot Eggs
Pickled Eggs are typically hard-boiled eggs that are cured in vinegar or brine. As with many foods, this was originally a way to preserve the food so that it could be eaten months later. Now, pickled eggs have become a favorite among many as a snack or hors d’œuvre. The shell is removed from the hard-boiled egg and they are submerged in a solution of vinegar, salt, spices, and other seasonings. Recipes vary from the traditional brine solution for pickles to other solutions, which can impart a sweet or spicy taste. For these Hot Pickled Eggs, they have spice added that certainly has a kick to it!
Walnut Creek Pickles: Beet Eggs
We also stock delicious Beet Eggs, which have a wonderful pink color to them and an excellent flavor. Serve these alongside a cheeseboard, crackers, or crudites.
Walnut Creek Pickles: Hot Pickled Garlic
Hot Pickled Garlic is an Amish classic and ours is from the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country Walnut Creek. It is delicious as part of a salad dressing or served alongside other pickles.
Walnut Creek Pickles: Baby Beets
These beets are flavored with a touch of cinnamon and spices and make a delicious healthy snack or side dish with salads. Use the juice to make a batch of delicious pickled red beet eggs.
Hot Pepper Jelly
A sweet and spicy jelly, perfect with cheese and crackers. You could also stir it into sauces and dressings to add a spicy kick.
If pickles aren’t your thing at all, then Walnut Creek also makes a delicious Amish peanut butter spread. It’s perfect for sandwiches, spreading on pancakes or mixing into your baking!
Which is your favorite pickle? Let us know in the comments!
Chevre: Everything You Need to Know
Today we explore another cheese for you: chevre!
What is Chevre?
Chevre is cheese made from the milk of goats, with the word chevre meaning goat in French. Our chevre is imported straight from France, so you know you’re getting the authentic taste.
This cheese almost resembles cream cheese. It is slightly crumbly whilst also being creamy and can have a strong goat flavor. This is somewhat fresh and grassy, with earthy undertones.
How is Chevre made?
Chevre is often made in France, but is now also made around the world. It is produced from goat’s milk which is brought to temperature and has cultures added. Rennet helps the milk to gradually coagulate over time. The curd is drained with a cloth until it is separated from the whey. The curds are then put into molds which are called faisselles.
Once the cheese is in the mold, it is usually salted, which helps the taste of the cheese to develop. Whilst the cheese can then be eaten fresh, it can also be aged. The cheese is usually placed on racks in a humid room so that the bacteria can mature and develop into a fine white, yellow, or brown mold on the rind of the cheese.
How does it taste?
Fresh goat’s cheese has a very delicate, slightly salty taste. As it ages, it develops a more tart, earthy flavor. Some people can be very divided on whether they like it or not, but we definitely recommend trying this cheese at different stages of the aging process, as you’ll find that it can be quite varied.
How should I eat it?
Creamy goat’s cheese is delicious in salads, bread, and pizzas. Although it will soften when exposed to heat, chevre does not melt as other cheeses do. It will add delicious moments of cheesy goodness to any dish it is melted onto. Try it grilled on the top of pasta dishes or simply bake it in the oven before spreading it onto bread for a quick lunch.
Goat’s cheese combines well with sweet flavors such as honey, figs or nuts. Try them together to see for yourself! You could cut up slices of apples or pears to eat it with or combine these in a salad. It also pairs well with savory vegetables such as caramelized onions, roasted beets or simply roasted tomatoes. Using it in tarts is another way to enjoy its creaminess as well as the flavor.
You can even use goat’s cheese to make desserts such as a unique cheesecake! Balancing it with honey and spices can create something truly unexpected. See if your guests can guess which cheese you made their dessert from.
What should I drink with it?
Fruity wines go best with the earthiness of the goat’s cheese. Try a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with fresh cheese or a Chardonnay with older cheeses. Fruity reds such as a Pinot Noir would work perfectly with the tart flavors of the cheese.
How do you like to eat chevre? Let us know in the comments!
Dried Fruit Ideas to Add to Your Diet
Today we’re sharing ideas for using dried fruit in your recipes. Whether you’ve got some left over from Christmas baking or you’re looking to get some more healthy snacks into your day, we’ve got ideas for you. Dried fruits are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a great addition to a healthy, balanced diet. They’re also super tasty, portable and versatile, as we hope you’ll see if you read on!
Snacks
We stock Think Fruit Dried Fruit Snacks which are perfect if you need a quick bag of energy to throw into your bag as you head out of the door. We offer pineapple, cranberry, peach, blueberry, cherry and cinnamon apple pieces. We also offer a variety of trail mix options if you’re heading out on a hike and want to combine your fruits with nuts and other snacks.
Granola
A great way to use up dried fruit or add it to your diet is to make your own granola. Not only does this reduce the cost of your breakfast, but you can also add only the ingredients that you really like. We know how annoying it is to find that your granola has one ingredient that you don’t want to eat, so why not make your own? Check out our range of nuts to help you with this. Roast them and mix with dried fruits and any spices that you like such as cinnamon, vanilla, or cardamom. Make sure that you store your granola in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Compote
It’s really easy to create a compote from your favorite dried fruits, which you can then enjoy on top of yogurt or oatmeal. Put your dried fruit in a bowl with any spices that you want to use to flavor them, such as cinnamon. Pour over 3 fl. oz. of boiling water and 3 fl. oz. of juice (apple or orange work well) for 2 oz. fruit. Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge overnight. In the morning you will have soft, broken down fruit ready to spoon onto your breakfast! You can experiment with different combinations of fruit to find the best one for you.
Desserts
You can add dried fruit to many different desserts, such as cobbler or crumble, to add an extra element of texture or flavor. Simply mix them in with the fresh fruit that you are using. You can also bake dried fruits into bread or cakes. For best results, soak them in some hot water or juice before using so that they do not affect the moisture of the cake. Be careful to seek out a bread recipe that includes dried fruits as they will affect the rise of the dough.
Salads
We really love adding dried fruit to salads. It adds a burst of sweetness, extra flavor and a pop of color as a feast for the eyes. Our favorites are cranberries or cherries as their tartness works well against fresh vegetables. Add some seeds or croutons for extra crunch and you’ll have a well-balanced salad.
How do you like to eat dried fruits? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
