Tarima Monastrell on Maui: A Gourmet Cheese Shop's Wonder Wine

If you've been a customer of Guava Gouda and Caviar for any length of time, you probably already know that we are especially fond of Spain and it's Culinary offerings,  the wine of Spain especially.  In recent years,  there's been an extraordinary amount of a new wine on the shelves.  Not new in that it's just been discovered, but new in that it has until now, not made it to the shelves of the commercial markets here in the USA, at least not with any popularity.  The Monastell grape, is not only difficult to grow, but it's yields are inconsistent and therefore difficult to rely on. Despite the challenges,  winemakers are constantly discovering ways to improve blending and production and the Taramina is an example of how these winemakers are able to create delicious wine at unbelievable prices.  The Taramina is a big wine, without the big price. It is generous and hearty and the tannins are controlled and come off the palate with soft intention. The subtle complexities in the wine make it enjoyable over dinner or as a cocktail.  We recommend decanting and swirling and getting the most out every drop. 

Deviled Eggs

Hard boiled eggs left over from Sunday?  You probably already thought of this, but did you consider a little touch of fresh goat cheese to replace the mayo?  We recommend our house favorite, Laura Chenel!  Smooth, creamy richness with fewer calories than mayonnaise, and if it's store bought, a lot fewer additives.  Regardless of the health benefits, it's a wonderful little secret ingredient that your family will happy to discover without feeling like their missing out.  Keep it all white with Sea salt, and white pepper.  Garnish with little chive sticks, not too big as the perfect length is a size that can fit into one bite.  We dare you try this with a sprinkle of the truffles salt in place of the plain sea salt.  It's a show stopper.  And you thought they were just ordinary deviled eggs.  

Sea Salt and Truffles on Maui?

No, neither of the two ingredients come from Maui.  But at Guava Gouda and Caviar, we felt it was necessary to bring it in.  There doesn't seem to be an awful lot to comment on about this product other than it's just simply the best little treasure in our pantry.  The picture pretty much says all it needs to say:  Truffles!  Salt!  Made by the Sabatini family in Umbria, this product is a secret weapon of weapons for those unexpected dinner guests or that pot luck that your boss is throwing.  Well, your boss, your boyfriend, your in-laws, anybody you might want to impress. Suggestions for consumption?  What, the  tip of your finger doesn't sound appetizing?  Follow your instincts.  Any root vegetable,  squash, potatoes, fried baked or smother with cheese, eggs, popcorn, corn on the cobb, sautéed mushrooms, risotto, pasta with cream sauce, roasted chicken, and mac and cheese.  Turn even the simplest dishes into pure Luxury.  Every couple of weeks we make our gourmet mac and cheese over in the Cheese Shop.  It is sold by the pound and makes a special occasion our running late and not having time to make dinner.  Add this little beauty and you'll be forgiven instantly. 

Cohn Creek Anthology: A Cabernet Loved by all @ Guava Gouda and Caviar

Did you know that the word "Napa" is actually a Native American word meaning, plenty? Well for today's modern wine world I understand the implication completely, however, it is a bit bewildering, wondering what may have been wandering, on leg or root, through those hills and valleys some 300 years ago?  Whoever they were and whatever they were doing, I doubt they were sipping on any juice with the power and prestige that the Anthology has to offer.  Anthology, is a Greek word, and whenever I hear, read, or recite the words, "is a Greek word,"  I hear the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding explaining all things Greek, and how "there are only two kinds people in the world, Greeks, and those people that want to be Greek."  Well, falling into neither of those categories, just leaves me a fan of the word, Anthology: meaning a collection of literary or artistic work, and that is the inspiration behind the wine. No, not the Greeks, for I doubt there is any wine produced in Greece with the ability to display such rich lively complexity on the palate as this Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend -  it's so American!  An American Anthology of the best grapes grown in the Napa Valley.  Have yourself a spiritual experience discussing this wine, its inspirations, and its place in today's wine drinking world;  make it even more passionate, and do it with a sexy Greek with a thick accent!  Delicious. Did we mention, we mention at Guava Gouda and Caviar we are especially fond of Greek accents?  Well any accent, actually. 

Irish Blue Cashel Cheese: A True Blue

A House favorite for sure.  Making it's way all the from Ireland to Maui is testament to it's brawn and even further still onto the "top shelf" of the Guava Gouda And Caviar Gourmet Cheese case to it's unwavering beauty.  Made in a small town, by a passionate family with traditional and all natural ingredients it's qualities are harmonious yet individually distinctive.  The body is rich and creamy and memorable.  The marbling adds a minerally effervescence that subtly tingles your tongue and lifts some the weight of the buttery cream off your palate.  We recommend it Hearty Beers and Fortified Wines.  Some local options include Maui Brewery's Coconut Porter and from the Hills of Haleakala, The Tedeschi winery's Raspberry Dessert Wine.  Although the cheese comes from a far off land, it is welcomed warmly by Maui made products and Irish alike.

A Perfect Maui Wine: For the Perfect Gourmet Cheese Shop

This wine, with a bright pale gold colour, is notable for its strong bouquet of wild flowers, honey and musk, with hints of creamy almonds. The wine has a medium sweet flavour, very soft, but fresh and lively with a gentle aftertaste of ripe fruit.  The finish is dry yet pleasant. Called, "sole d’Italia in bottiglia” (“Italian sun in a bottle”),Orvieto is a very ancient wine produced in a very high rocky landscape and over the century has become one of the worldwide symbols of Orvieto. Bigi’s Orvieto, today in the unmistakeable specially designed “Gaudy” bottle, represents the cellar’s flagship wine, which is considered one of its most prestigious products. The grapes are Trebbiano Toscano (locally called Procanico), Verdello, Grechetto, Malvasia Toscana and Drupeggia and are probably the oldest oenological expression of Orvieto available today.  We pour this wine in the Wine Tasting Bar on many warm nights here on Maui.  It is a lovely wine to pair with gourmet cheese and perfect for the beach or a barbecue, the lanai, or an Italian Feast.  The Cheese Shop has many cheeses that pair perfectly, we recommend the italians,  Robiola, Reggiano, and any Italian Goat Cheese.  

Global Cheese Offering on Maui: The List Goes On!

Limburger Cheese on Maui?  You betcha!

It's associated with many things, but it's origin takes us to modern day Belgium, Germany and Netherlands.  It is a cows milk cheese that we love to spread on dark bread and even better with a burger - A Limburger Burger with dark mustard!  Cornichon on the side and you'll be transported to another place and time.  The cheese is known for being on the stinky side and is often compared to the scent of body or foot odor.  Not surprising since the bacteria used to ferment this cheese is the same on found in human skin, Brevibacterium.  Okay, so it probably doesn't sound like the sexiest cheese, but is most definitely one of our more "manly" cheeses.

Sottocenere: Becoming a Maui Holiday Classic

Italian Cows provide the milk for this memorable and decadent cheese 

that we always carry during the holiday months of the Year!

The rind is a finely ground layer of 12 spices, including truffles, 

and the fleshy body is tickled with truffle shavings throughout. 

Don't let this one slip by you if ever confronted with it's delicious smile.

"La Tur:"  Another reason Italians love to Boast

We wish we had this cheese in the case at all times.  The flavor is like no other and neither is it's texture-we especially love the firm but soft center and powdery dry yet damp exterior (it ages from the outside in).  Check out our Facebook page and know when we have this handsome cheese available.  He travels a long way to get here, not unlike many of it's fellow cheese case vacationers, and we are always so pleased he makes it the distance, all the way to Maui, most times unscathed. 

A Simple Wine & Cheese Pairing on Maui!

Wine & Cheese Tasting at Stuey's Wine Bar or @ Home!

One of the most fabulous features at Guava Gouda & Caviar in Wailea is the fact that we have Stuey's Wine Tasting Bar right next door;  allowing for sampling of the most gourmet products available on Maui.  Pictured above is a very cool cheese board made by Boska.  It is approximately 10 inches x 5 inches, however, it is available in various other sizes.  We love the simplicity of the natural look which works in casual and elegant environments both in and outdoors.  Sometimes it's just two or three simple ingredients that when combined not only look amazing but satisfy even the most discriminately palate.  Carol Shelton makes amazing wines including a house favorite loved by all, the "Wild Thing" Old Vine Zinfandel from Mendocino County.  We've paired it with another house favorite, "La Tur."  La Tur, from Italy is a very complex cheese that offers layers of earth, mushroom, cream and woodsy notes.  Made from the milk of all three animal milks, cow, goat and sheep, it's no wonder it's got so much goodness going on.  The fruit from the Old Vines is a delicate yet generous offering of dark berries that perfectly blends together into an almost savory berry cheesecake of sorts.  Perfect for before, or after a meal, and for some,  as a meal.  Even on Maui, in the most remote destination in the world, you can treat yourself and your loved ones to The best Wine and Cheese tastings available across the globe. 

Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball!

Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball!

.50 # Fresh Goat Cheese

.25 # grated Mimolette

.25 # Grated Cheddar or Gouda

2 cloves of Minced Fresh Garlic

1/2 tsp. fresh Thyme leaves

Place in Food Processor and Pulse until desired consistency.  Remove and Form.  After chilling for about an Hour, use a knife to cut the ridges.  Garnish with toasted Pumpkin Seeds. 

Carrots look and taste great too.  Try slicing the carrots diagonally like long chips for spreading cheese on.

Maui's Best Cheese Shop Pairing

Figs stufffed with Goat Cheese and Proscuitto, baked and served with toasted pistachios! 

The Head of a Monk: Tete de Moines

Traditionally made with only summers milk the translation of this cheeses name is "Head of Monk."  Made for over 800 years at the Abbey de Bellalay, it a Swiss Cheese through and through.  Although a somewhat smaller wheel of cheese compared to its fellow country cheeses, don't let it's small size trick you into thinking he's a cute and milk little baby of a cheese.  He is not!  More like a dirty little devil.  The Griolle, was invented for this cheese in mind, allowing the cheese to be shaved in a circular motion as apposed to with a knife right across the top.  This added effort in the preparation and slicing has a purpose:  it actually accentuates the aroma and flavor of the cheese.  Similar to swirling wine, the Griolle does just that for this cheese.  You may have noticed one of this handy little contraptions on the cheese case - if not, check it out next time your in.  Request a sample of the Tete de Moine, right off the Griolle and have a fast of the old world in Switzerland.  Strong, Meaty, Salty, Earthy, Fruity Flippin Deliciouslness.  Serve with dried cherries and an aged Gewerztraminer!  And don't be sissy -  this rind is edible.