HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Sao Jorge - Portugal

Sao Jorge is a Portuguese cheese from the island of the same name in the Azores archipelago. It’s made from raw cow’s milk, and is semi-firm and matured for 7 months. It’s yellowish in colour, and has a firm and slightly waxy texture. The flavour is incredibly interesting - it begins fruity (like olive oil), and then changes into this lovely, persistent zippy/spicy flavour. This cheese is awesome on its own, or melted on a burger or in a grilled cheese sandwich, and pairs best with a bold red wine or fortified wines such as Port or Madeira.

Sold by weight, $7.50/100g

RETURN (t0) FLIGHT: Crowdie - Ontario

This is Crowdie; typically a type of soft, fresh cheese made from raw cow's milk from Scotland, but our friends over at Golspie Dairy in Woodstock, ON have made their own version!

Crowdie is a fresh cheese made using the whole milk from their family farm. It's similar to a cream cheese, but more spreadable with a very smooth texture. Use it in place of cream cheese or sour cream in your favourite recipes! It's a whipped pasteurized cheese, and is easily spreadable right out of the fridge. Use it on a bagel, melted into a zingy cream sauce, or as a midnight snack with a spoon & some honey.

Personally, I love using Crowdie to make a Cheese Danish - click here to see my recipe!

Sold in 225g jars, $12.99 each

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Sao Miguel- Portugal

Produced on the beautiful island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago, the São Miguel Island Cheese is a matured cheese with a semi-hard paste, with a firm texture and matured for a minimum of 9 months. Known by many as "black rind cheese", it is a product with strong, clean flavour and aroma, obtained from pasteurized cow's milk. It has a salty flavour with a pleasant bite. It reminds me a lot of a zesty aged cheddar! 

Sold by weight, $7.50/100g 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Chimay a la Biere (Chimay Rouge) - Belgium

Chimay Rouge, also known as Chimay a la Biere is made in Scourement Abbey, a Trappist monastery on the Scourmont plateau in the village of Forges, Belgium. This cheese is made from pasteurized cows milk and is washed with Chimay Beer made in the same place.

The monks of the monsatery produce beer and cheese to cover their rent and charity efforts. Being one of only thirteen monasteries IN THE WORLD producing this type of beer, this cheese is incredibly unique in both flavour and history! The cheese is semi-soft, with a slight funk and nutty, fruity flavour profile.

If you're looking for a fun gift idea for the beer & cheese lover in your life, the LCBO is actually carrying a gift pack of Chimay beers that pair PERFECTLY with the cheese! Just make sure to let me know to gift wrap your cheese & I'll make sure it's perfect for your recipient!!! Check out the pack here:

 https://www.lcbo.com/en/chimay-gift-pack-519223 

Sold by weight, $11.00/100g 

RETURN (t0) FLIGHT: Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar - PEI

The recipe for this cheese comes from the Orkney Islands, north of mainland Scotland and is handmade in the style of the great traditional English cheddars. Made from milk from Holstein cows on small local farms in PEI, and is gently heated (but not pasteurized) to allow beneficial microbes to thrive and give the cheese depth and flavour. This cheddar has won countless awards at competitions such as The American Cheese Society Competition, SIAL International Cheese Competition, World Cheese Awards, the Canadian Cheese Awards and more! The cheese itself is fruity, mushroomy, savoury with both creamy and crumbly texture profiles. It's rich and hearty, and is undoubtably an impressive cheddar.

Sold in 180g packages, $14.99 each

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Langres - France

LANGRES, a soft, washed rind cheese from the Champagne region in France.

One of the huge tenets of pairings is “what grows together, goes together”, and this cheese is a fantastic example of that! The best way to serve this cheese is by pouring some champagne (or any traditional method sparkling wine) over the cheese and enjoying a glass of the wine with it!

The cheese has a dimple on the top, formally known as the “fontaine” which means fountain. Pour about 4oz (1/2 cup) of the wine onto the cheese and let it flow down around the wheel before you cut into it. The bubbles in the wine balance out the salty, fudgy richness of the cheese and compliment it’s funky, yeasty, biscuity flavour that is concentrated on the rind.

If you’re planning on entertaining or just want something special to serve as an app, this is the perfect show stopper cheese!! I’m happy to recommend sparkling wines for you if Champagne isn’t quite within your budget. 

Don’t want to serve it with alcohol? No sweat! Langres is also INCREDIBLE when baked like brie or Vacherin Mont d’Or, or even used in classical French dishes such as tartiflette, soufflé, or really anything that necessitates a funky cheese!

Note: the second photo is not mine, and I couldn’t find the original photographer! I’m happy to give credit if you know who took it!

Sold in 180g wheels, $19.99 each 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Brie de Meaux - France

This is one of my favourite cheeses to have in store because it’s something so familiar, yet so different!

Brie de Meaux is actually only one of two “real” Bries in the world. It has an AOP designation, which means that it can only be called Brie de Meaux if it’s made in the town of Meaux in the Brie region of France

Now this Brie is not like any of the other ones you find at a regular grocery store. It’s much bolder in flavour - cream, mushroom, slight earthiness and a whole lot of luxury! When it comes up closer to room temperature, it’s gooey without making a giant mess and so full of flavour and absolutely addicting to eat!!

Pair this cheese with sparkling wine or a light French red wine, you’ve got a match made in heaven!

Sold by weight, $9.49/100g 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Blu61 - Italy

BLU61 is a FANTASTIC blue cheese from Italy that has been soaked in Raboso Passito wine and is topped with fresh cranberries. The sweet-tart flavour of the berries plays off the fruitiness of the wine and compliments the creamy blue cheese! Especially festive, this cheese is a perfect dessert or feature for a cheese board. It's definitely the type of blue I would suggest someone to try if they want to get into blue cheeses!! 

Looking for a similar cheese minus the blue? Check out Occelli Barolo!

Sold by weight, $11.00/100g

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Occelli Barolo - Italy

Occelli al Barolo is an exquisite Italian cheese crafted from cow's and goat's milk, aged to perfection and drenched in the pressed grapes and must of Barolo wine. This unique aging process infuses the cheese with fruity, wine-rich notes that complement its creamy, nutty flavor and firm texture. Its texture is almost fudgey - soft and creamy, but with some structure and absolutely melts in your mouth! The vibrant, wine-stained rind adds a visual and aromatic allure, making it a standout on any cheese board. Perfect for pairing with red wine, figs, or crusty bread, Occelli al Barolo is a luxurious treat for cheese connoisseurs.

Want a blue version? Try Blu61!

Sold by weight. $13.00/100g 

RETURN (t0) FLIGHT: Idiazabal - Spain

This beauty is Idiazabal (pronounced ee-dee-ah-zah-ball), and it’s a lightly smoked cheese from the Basque region of Spain. 

Made exclusively with raw sheeps milk, the cheese is aged for several months, lending a nutty, buttery yet sharp and acidic flavour. It’s smoked over a blend of wood chips from birch, beechwood, cherry and white pine trees. It is absolutely DIVINE when paired with Quince paste, dark chocolate, and a big, Spanish red wine.

Sold by weight, $11.00/100g 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Vacherin Mont d'Or - Switzerland

Called the "holy grail of raw milk cheeses", Mont d'Or is world renowned as being one of the best, ooey-gooey-full-flavoured cheeses out there. It's a washed rind cheese with heady aromas of wood and bacon mixed with funky cream, garlic, and hay. It's salty and milky, funky and bold, creamy and rich - the pinnacle of what great cheese is. Mont d'Or is not an easy cheese to describe, but its reputation speaks volumes. It's best when baked with some white wine and garlic. 

I have only brought in eight wheels of this cheese for the holiday season. Contact me to reserve one for you!

For some more information on Mont d'Or, visit these links: 

David Lebovitz Review - "Folks, I gotta tell you, this is one amazing cheese and if you get a chance to try one, you won’t know what hit you. I’ve had a few in my life that were exceptionally good just as is (unbaked). But when baked, it’s like a brain wreck of everything going on – fat, funk, fresh cream, wood, garlic, rank, and a peculiar buttery sharpness scrambling all of your senses together in each single mouthful. And if that description didn’t scare you away, then you’ll be rewarded with a life-altering eating experience."

The Kitchn - "Touted as the “Holy Grail of soft cheese,” Mont d’Or can only be described as a self-gifting ready-to-eat fondue. The Swiss are the original inventors and keepers of fondue — a retro dish created many decades ago for farmers to use up old scraps of bread and cheese during the harsh winters. Fondue ultimately made its way to the United States in the ’70s. Perhaps you remember fondue parties? Or at least wish they still existed? Either way, before fondue there was Mont d’Or — a portable “pot of cheese” for times when you need gooey cheese on the fly."

Check out this video from Les Amies du Fromages on Youtube

Sold in 600g-ish individual wheels, $65 each

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Godminster Heart Cheddar - UK

This deliciously melt-in-the-mouth cheddar cheese is made to a traditional 90-year-old recipe with organic milk and matured for up to 12 months, at which point Godminster selects the very best cheese to be made into one of their award-winning truckles. This heart-shaped Vintage Bruton Beauty cheese has a rich depth of flavour with a smooth texture that’s irresistibly delicious and will make you come back for more! This cheese has the creaminess of a young cheddar, but with the sharpness of an aged cheddar - so much so that you may think it's actually much older than it is! Perfect for a cheese board or as a last minute stocking-stuffer for your lover! 

Sold in 200g heart-shaped wheels, $21.99 each 

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Adoray - Fromagerie Montebello, Quebec

This is ADORAY from Fromagerie Montebello in Quebec. It's a washed rind super soft cheese that is ULTRA creamy and is wrapped in a small piece of spruce bark. It has a flavour profile almost similar to bacon - meaty, salty, with a woodsey flavour that could almost be interpreted as smokey, even though the cheese is not smoked! The best way to eat this cheese is to slice the top off the wheel and allow it to come to room temperature. Then, dip some crusty bread or crackers into the cheese fondue!!! Words truly cannot express how ooey and gooey the texture of this cheese is... it's nuts!

Sold in 180g wheels, $16.99 each

RETURN (t0) FLIGHT: Chateau de Bourgogne - France

It's been known as The Cadillac of Bries, and it's pretty hard to find something that can improve this delicious cheese. From the region of Burgundy in France, this bloomy-rind, triple-cream brie will blow you away! Chateau de Bourgogne (bor-gun-ya) has a very familiar flavour profile, not unlike your "typical" bries, but with an ultra-ooey-gooey-can't-cut-it-into-slices type of texture that is absolutely to die for. This cheese is spreadable, and is best with some fresh bread or your favourite crackers. Add on something sweet, and your dinner guests will never want to leave!

Pairs well with sparkling wine, dry Riesling, Pinot Grigio or Viognier.

Sold in 200g wheels, $19.99 each

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Chateau de Bourgogne aux Truffes - France

This is CHATEAU DE BOURGOGNE with a TRUFFLE TWIST! In a perfectly delicious center layer, you’ll find truffle cream to perfectly accentuate the deliciously rich Triple Cream heaven that is Chateau de Bourgogne.

In case you haven’t had the pleasure of enjoying Chateau de Bourgogne before, it is the most luxurious, ooey gooey cheese that I’ve actually had a few separate people call “LIFE CHANGING”. You can’t cut Chateau into slices, THATS how creamy it is. And then a layer of truffle cream through the center? Boy oh boy…

Sold in 200g wheels, $27.99 each

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Ash La Pic - France

Le Pic is an ash-covered French chevre, typically with a distinctive pyramid shape, but around this time of year gets an infusion of FESTIVE! Shaped like a Christmas tree, this goat cheese has a creamy, yet slightly crumbly texture and a bold, tangy flavour with subtle earthy and citrusy notes. The ash coating not only enhances its appearance, but complements its natural acidity. As it matures, the flavours deepen, offering a rich, complex tasting experience! Perfect for pairing with crisp white wines or fresh fruit. 

Sold in 150g tree-shaped pieces, $12.99 each 

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Brebisrousse - France

This ultra-gooey cheese is sure to impress! Made exclusively from sheeps milk in Lyon, France, Brebirousse is a fantastic savoury cheese that has earned its spot on your board. Its name literally means “red sheep” in French, and is distinct in appearance with its rusty red-ish rind. Not to be confused with washed rind cheeses, the red on the rind of this cheese comes from annatto, the seed of the achite tree, which is a natural food colouring used for cheesemaking. The cheese is delicately sweet, buttery and sheep-y, with interesting earthy notes. 

What's nice about this cheese is that it has very familiar flavours, an incredible texture, but the sheep milk gives it a je-ne-sais-quoi complexity that's super addicting! 

Sold by weight, $10.29/100g

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Blu Martini - Italy

We love a fun, flavoured blue cheese for the holidays, and this one is no exception! Blu Martini comes from Mauri Fromaggi in Italy. This lovely blue cheese is coated in Gin 43,  a lovely Italian gin from Friuli made with 43 botanicals, including Lemon, Orange, Mandarin, Thyme, Lavender, Mint and more! The cheese is then topped with bright, salty olives for a martini inspired treat!

RECIPE IDEA: Mix together chunks of blue cheese with 1 cup of vodka, shake well and let sit in the fridge for 24 hours. Strain through a sieve for some blue cheese vodka to make the bluest martini there has ever been!  

Sold by weight, $11.00/100g 

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Oveja con Ajo Negra (Manchego w/ Black Garlic) - Spain

The Oveja line from the producer Vega Sotuelamos is one of my favourites, because they're just so darn pretty! 

Oveja means "sheep" in Spanish, and that's exactly the type of milk these cheeses are made from. Made with the same process as Manchego, this particular cheese is layered with beautiful veins of Black Garlic paste to give it a really smooth, slightly sweet flavour to the sharp and salty cheese. 

Officially, this cheese is not called Manchego because Manchego is a PDO (protected) cheese which needs to follow rigorous rules to achieve the name. Since this cheese has additional flavours added, it can't be called Manchego at all! 

Sold by weight, $8.00/100g

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Roquefort Papillon Rouge - France

Roquefort Papillon Rouge is produced by Papillon, a renowned French company with deep roots in the Aveyron region, the birthplace of Roquefort cheese. Established in 1906, Papillon has been dedicated to crafting authentic Roquefort using traditional methods. Papillon exclusively uses raw sheep’s milk from the Lacaune breed, native to the region. The milk is combined with Penicillium roqueforti mold, harvested from the natural caves of Combalou. These caves, with their unique microclimate, provide the perfect environment for aging, giving the cheese its signature creamy texture and complex flavors.

Over the decades, Papillon has become a symbol of excellence in the world of Roquefort, earning accolades for its rich, tangy cheeses, including the coveted Papillon Rouge label. This red-labeled version is known for its intense flavor, making it a favorite among cheese connoisseurs worldwide.

Roquefort is a big, bold, beautiful and creamy cheese with an addicting intensity and saltiness. Roquefort is known as the King of Blues, and for good reason! Deliciously punchy, this is the cream of the crop of blues! 

NOTE: When Roquefort was first created, they used mold strains that were cultivated on rye bread, meaning that back then, Roquefort was not Gluten Free. This has since changed, and producers such as Papillon produce their mold strains in a strictly Gluten Free environment, so it is safe for those with Gluten Intolerances or allergies. 

 Sold in 100g packages, $12.99 each

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: St. Angel - France

Another holiday cheese, this is one for you Chateau or Délice lovers!! St. Angel is from the Rhone-Alps region of France, and is a bloomy rind triple cream cheese. What sets this cheese apart from other triple cream French cheeses is that its made with an ultrafiltration technique, which creates a silky texture unparalleled by other production methods. It's creamy and sweet, thanks to the extra cream used to boost its fat content to the high standards in the French Triple Cream world. Best served with a glass of Champagne. Pasteurized. 

Sold by weight, $11.00/100g or whole 720g wheel for $70

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Old Amsterdam Christmas Trees

This delicious aged gouda is pre-cut into teeny little Christmas trees, perfect for your holiday cheese boards!

The cheese itself is rich, fudgey, and studded with deliciously snackable cheese diamonds (aka tyrosine crystals) with flavour notes of caramel, butterscotch and fudge. Not only are they ADORABLE, Old Amsterdam Gouda is a prime example of what an aged gouda SHOULD be. 10/10.

Sold in 150g packages, $14.99 each

RETURN (t0) FLIGHT: Chic! Fondue - Quebec

The versatility of a delicious fondue dish knows no limits! Bold and delicious, this fondue shows full-bodied, long-lasting smooth flavours. 

We currently are stocking two flavours: Whiskey and Wine. 

Blended with Whiskey from Distillerie St. Laurent, winner of the gold medal at the prestigious International Spirits competition (2022),

Chic! Au Vin (wine) has delicately fruity notes and fragrant cheesiness with no aftertaste of alcohol, so it’s sure to delight young and old alike, not to mention giving a delicious boost to all your favourite dippers and sides. 

Chic! Fondue is a microwavable fondue kit that is incredibly easy to make. Either eat it as is with dippers, or use in a recipe. Check out their website here for recipe inspiration and more information!

Sold individually, 350g packages, $19.99 each 

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Raclette Kaiser - Quebec

In keeping with his Swiss heritage, Mr. Fritz Kaiser is a master of Raclette cheese-making. This beautiful cheese is a semi-soft, surface-ripened cheese that is aged for approximately 8 weeks. It has a subtle flavour of hazelnut, with notes of milk and butter. It's name originates from the French word 'racler', meaning 'to scrape', which is a reference to scraping the melted cheese from the wheel, onto potatoes. Not necessarily always meant for a cheese board, this cheese is best melted with some fruit or potatoes, but delicious on its own as well!

Raclette is a great way to share a meal with your loved ones! Flight Cheese Shop rents Raclette machines, and also has a guide to this ooey-gooey delight!

Sold by weight $5.50/100g

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Chabichou de Poitou - France

Chabichou comes from the Loire Valley in France. This cheese is one of France's oldest - dating to around the 8th century, where goathearding can be traced back to the Saracen rule. Well over 80% of France's goat cheeses are still made in the Loire Valley! These Chevres generally follow a loosely similar profile - lovingly known as "funky goat" cheeses here at the shop. They're ripened with a type of mold called "Geotrichum" and gives the cheese its characteristic wrinkly brain-lookin' rind.

Enjoy this cheese with some French Sauvignon Blanc or other dry white wine for a delectable treat!

Sold in 150g wheels, $19.99 each

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Crottin Germain - France

Crottin de Chevre Germain is a moulded goat cheese made from pasteurized milk and matured in the Berry region of France. Under its fine, white rind hides a firm and slightly crumbly texture with a moderately funky yet delicate flavour. This cheese is a Loire Valley Chevre – meaning that it follows a very similar flavour profile to other cheese from the same region. Chabichou de Poitou, Valencay, Selles-sur-Cher are some examples. This cheese is on the milder side of the Loire funk spectrum, but it’ll give you a great idea of what to expect from this type of cheese.

Sold in 60g wheels, $6.99 each

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Reblochon - France

Reblochon is a soft, washed-rind French cheese made in the Alpine region from raw cow's milk. It's kind of as if brie and raclette had a cheese baby - soft with a mild pungency that is absolutely fantastic when it's melted. Reblochon is typically used in a French dish called "tartiflette" - a baked potato dish with the cheese melted and broiled over top roasted potatoes with onion, bacon & cream. Although tasty on its own, it is absolutely stunning and scrumptious when melted. 

According to legend, a farmer owed his landlord a percentage of his daily milk production. On the day the landlord came to measure the milk, the crafty farmer only performed a partial milking. As soon as the landlord left, the farmer completed the milking. The milk from that second milking was very fatty and was used to make cheese. The rich flavourful cheese was called “Reblochon” from the word re-blocher in the Savoyard dialect, which roughly translates to "second pinch" of the cow's udder.

Sold in two ways: $53 for the whole wheel (~450g) or $15 for 1/4 wheel (~110g)

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: St. Marcellin - France

This adorable teensy cheese is called SAINT-MARCELLIN from the Rhone-Alpes region of France. It’s a delicate little guy that requires protection from the world, so much so that it’s sold in a tiny terra cotta crock to keep it safe. This cheese has a SUPER thin rind - so thin  that it’s almost non-existent and is just waiting for you to dip some crackers or crostinis into it. It’s best served when warmed up in the oven (for a couple of minutes) or microwave (for about 12 seconds) with something tart/sour (pickles, olives, sweety drop peppers) to cut through its rich creaminess.

Saint-Marcellin’s flavour profile is a little yeasty, mushroom-y, earthy with slightly nutty and fruity flavours. It’s got a little bit of a stank to it, but it’s very, very mild on the scale of funk.

If you want a little bit more of a detailed description of Saint Marcellin, check out this writeup by SeriousEats (https://www.seriouseats.com/eat-this-cheese-st-marcellin ) - I have to admit the way the author describes it made me drool a little!

Sold in 80g pots, $14.99 each

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Bleu d'Affinois - France

This is BLEU D'AFFINOIS from France, a blue cheese made from pasteurized cows milk. Bleu d'Affinois is a stunning triple cream blue with an absolutely to-die-for creamy texture. Its rind is bloomy, so similar to that of a Brie, with a moderately intense blue paste. It's so flavourful, yet not aggressive, and is PERFECT for your favourite crackers or fresh bread. Very similar in style to Cambozola, but with the beautiful boldness of French blues!

I would advise against cooking with this blue as it's so delicate and creamy, but would be an absolute star on a salad with greens, candied pecans or walnuts, maybe even some strawberries... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. YUM!

Sold by weight, $9.20/100g

NEW ARRIVAL: Brie a la Truffe - France

Brie a la Truffe, aka Truffle Brie, is a soft cheese with a bloomy rind that is made with pasteurized cows milk, and has a layer of truffle cream throughout the center of the paste! Made by Renard Gillard, this cheese has the heart of a Triple Cream Brie with the boldness of black truffles. Not only is it delicious, that layer gives this cheese an awesome visual presence on a cheese board! Pair with a Chablis or Riesling for a decadent treat. 

Sold by weight, $13.00/100g 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Apple Shaped Cheddar with Whiskey - Scotland

This is APPLE WHISKEY CHEDDAR from the Isle of Kintyre in Scotland. This cheese is a careful blend of prime quality mature Scottish cheddar flavoured with Highland Liqueur - a special blend of Islay malt whiskey and brandy, specifically designed to complement the high quality & delicious cheese! It’s fruity with a touch of sweetness from the whiskey, and is definitely an adorable treat.

Pairs well (obviously) with a nice Scotch, and makes a super adorable gift for the holidays!

Sold in 150g truckles, $18.99 each

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Pear Shaped Cheddar with Pear Schnapps - Scotland

This cheese is a Scottish cheddar from the Isle of Kintyre, infused with schnapps and pear oil, giving it a really nice, light, fruity flavour.

Of all the years that Gigha has made these adorable little truckles, apparently the Pear one is the most popular! It’s shaped by hand and dipped in wax to give it this adorable appearance, and has top notch world-class white cheddar just waiting for you to take a bite!

Pear & cheddar might seem weird at first, but think of how delicious chutney is with a nice mature cheddar! Apples with Raclette, Strawberries with Blue, Figs with Brie — cheese LOVES fruit, especially when its as mild as a pear to let the cheese really shine.

Sold in 150g truckles, $18.99 each 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Laphroaig Whiskey Cheddar - Scotland

Coming from the Isle of Kintyre, Laphroaig Whiskey cheese is an indulgence! Expertly married with the intense, peaty flavour of the classic world famous Islay single malt. Made by Inverloch Cheese Co, this cheese is encased with black wax and aged with the whiskey. 

The Whiskey itself is matured in seasoned oak barrels, bringing a slight sweet, vanilla nuttiness to the cheddar, as well as a zesty, spicy note. 

Sold in 200g truckles, $18.99 each

RETURN (to) FLIGHT: Tete de Moine - Switzerland

This is Tete de Moine from Switzerland, a washed rind alpine style cheese quite similar to Appenzeller or a funky Gruyere. What makes this cheese super exciting is how it’s traditionally served - “rolled” into florets using a device called a GIROLLE.

Typically, when you see Alpine style cheeses, they’re either melted or cut into bite sized chunks. Delicious, yes, but when this perfectly shaped cheese is turned into florets, the texture changes into a silky smooth paste that absolutely MELTS in your mouth. To get technical, this happens because florets have much more surface area which alters the structure of its body and allows the full flavour of Tete de Moine to shine! Pair this cheese with some stunning prosciutto and a big red wine, you’ll have a combo to DIE FOR.

Sold in different formats:

• Whole wheel (~900g) $80

• Half wheel (~450g) $45

• Rosettes, by weight, $13.50/100g - if ordering rosettes, plan to eat them ASAP as they dry out REALLY fast!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Gjetost (Ski Queen)- Norway

Since the day I opened, I've had requests for this special Norwegian cheese, and I finally have been able to source it! Gjetost (pronounced yeh-toast) is a traditional brown cheese from Norway has a very interesting, unique flavour! It is made from whey, which is rich with lactose, aka milk sugar. To make Gjetost, that whey is boiled until the liquid reduces and the sugars caramelize, which is where the butterscotch flavor comes from. Ricotta is also made with whey, but it’s cooked much less and retains more moisture!  “Gjetost” translates to “goat cheese” in Norwegian, so this style contains at least some goat’s milk. This particular brand of gjetost also uses cow’s milk to make it creamier and soften the flavor.

Sold in 250g blocks, $16.99 each

Beurre d'Isigny Demi-Sale - France

This BUTTER is a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) butter from Isigny-sur-Mer in the North West of France, and is unlike any other butter you likely would have had before. It has a buttercup yellow colour and slightly hazelnutty flavour profile, and has followed a slow, traditional fermentation process that helps it develop its distinctive aromas and flavours. 

What makes this butter different than the butter you're used to? A few things -- the Isigny region has a warm and humid climate, and is close in proximity to the ocean and marshes. The cows, therefore, feed on grass that is rich in iodine, beta-carotene and micronutrients, giving the butter its own unique flavour! This butter is 100% natural, and has a fat content of at least 82% (for reference, Canadian butter is only 80%) with tons of Vitamin A and E. This butter contains no artificial flavours, preservatives or colouring. This butter also goes through a special production process called tourage that gives it a malleable yet firm texture, and is favoured by French pastry chefs when making light & airy puff pastries and crispy baked goods with buttery flavour! 

For more information on this particular butter, visit the Isigny website here.

Sold two ways: 

• Basket (top) $27.99

• Brick (bottom) $26.49

Crosswind Farm Chevre - Keene, ON

Once you go crosswind, you'll never go back! These fantastic fresh goat cheeses are absolutely top notch. Similar to the "tubes" you'd get at the grocery store, this chevre has a much cleaner, smoother, creamier, and less wet texture, with an even better flavour! The cheese itself is already worlds better than the commercial stuff, but these particular packages are flavoured with some delicious, high quality ingredients! Perfect for cooking with, spreading on crackers or sandwiches, or eating with a spoon from the fridge at midnight, this is a no-brainer choice!

Currently carrying flavours: Caramelized Onion & Green Peppercorn, Maple Cream, and Lemon & Thyme

Sold in 250g packages, $15.99 each

Kapuskasing - Kapuskasing, ON

Named after the town in which the cheese is made, Kapuskasing (kah-pus-kay-sing) is based off of Morbier cheese from France. This cheese has a beautiful layer of vegetable ash in the center of the wheel, which is a classic cheesemaking technique from the Jura region in France. Cheesemaker Francois Nadeau was travelling in Asia, where cheese is scarce, and decided he wanted to pursue cheesemaking so he would never have to go without it. His new found passion brought him to Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec for basic training, and then to France for more in depth training. Morbier, the cheese Kapuskasing is based on, was born from the by-products of Comte. Traditionally, cheesemakers would take the leftover curd from the morning milking and cover them with ashes to preserve them, and then did the same thing with the afternoon curd and pressed the cheese into Morbier. The cheese was so delicious, it is now produced with its own dedicated source of milk, but with the layer of ash in the middle to preserve the tradition.

We have the goats milk (pictured, top) version of this cheese in stock currently. 

Sold by weight, $8.70/100g

Le Fleurmier de Charlevoix - Quebec

Fleurmier is a typical soft cheese with a bloomy rind of the Camembert type. The milk comes from the Gouffre valley in Baie-Saint-Paul. It’s rich and velvety paste has a fruity and nutty flavor without any aftertaste. Its texture improves with age and its taste develops without bitterness. Its name comes from the words fleur meaning bloom and fermier – meaning farmer!

Sold in 250g wheels, $16.99 

Picobello - Netherlands

This beauty is Picobello from the Netherlands! It's a super rich and crunchy aged Gouda that's inspired by Parmigiano Reggiano.

When I say this cheese is crunchy.. I mean this cheese is CRONCHY. Dare I say I haven't met a crunchier cheese? Picobello has so many crystals within, it's absolutely decadent. It's flavour profile is much like an aged Gouda - sweet, caramel and butterscotch - with the nutty saltiness of an aged Italian cheese.

Picobello is made from pasteurized cow's milk and is fantastic with a Belgian brown beer or a robust Chardonnay.

FUN FACT: Cheeses like this one are best when they're thoroughly chewed. Now that may sound super weird, but it's very easy to sufficiently chew your food to swallow it, but we very rarely chew our food enough to SAVOUR it. With the amount of umami flavours hidden within the paste of this cheese, it's truly best to let it sit in your mouth for an extra few moments to truly appreciate the flavour of this cheese to the maximum potential. Next time you're eating something rich, try chewing it a few extra times and see what happens!

Sold by weight, $9.50/100g

Niagara Gold (A2) - Jordan, ON

This is Niagara Gold - a beautiful semi-soft washed rind cheese from Jordan, Ontario (near St. Catharines). Its recipe is inspired by Trappist monk cheese-making techniques, and it's flavour is as if a Quebec raclette and pizza mozzarella had a baby!

But that's not the most exciting part about this cheese - Niagara Gold is made with pure A2 Guernsey milk - a form of casein (milk protein) that is much easier on your digestive system! Most milk is likely to contain a much higher concentration of A1 protein than A2, but Guernsey cow milk contains over 80% A2 protein, compared to the 15% of Holstein cows! A lot of people attribute tummy problems after consuming dairy to being lactose-intolerant, but many people actually have a sensitivity to casein instead! Guernsey milk also has a higher concentration of Vitamin D, Beta-Carotene and Omega 3s compared to "regular" milk.

Over 2 years ago, I had someone come into the shop asking for A2 cheeses because they can only tolerate A2 dairy products, and mentioned Upper Canada Cheese Company by name. I've had a sticky note with her name & phone number for almost as long as I've been open, and finally got to make that phone call telling her it's arrived! Is there something specific you've been looking for? Let me know & I'll see if I can find it for you!!

Sold by weight, $12.49/100g

Townsley 8 year Cheddar - Quebec

Coming from Quebec, this cheese impressed me much more than I expected it to. Townsley Cheddar has been aged for 8 years, and has a stunning complex flavour, yet nothing off or weird about it. It's very firm and crumbly, and is studded with tyrosine crystals (aka cheese diamonds!) to give it an additional crunchy texture to its profile. It has deep flavours, almost reminiscent of caramel or nuts, and evolves as you chew on it. This is a stunning cheddar that is meant to be savoured, and can stand alone and impress without any other accompaniments, but would also be enjoyable on a salad, sandwich or with spreads. 

Sold by weight, $8.50/100g 

Dalmatia Spreads

Dalmatia makes stunning spreads out of the coastal region of Croatia, where fruits, vegetables and olive oil are as fresh as they can be! They use only first-class fruits, with no bruising or damage, giving their spreads superior flavour and quality. Made with lots of love and care, these spreads are a fantastic option for your holiday boards. 

Flavour available: Chilli Fig (Spicy)

240g jars, $8.99 each

OUT OF STOCK: Snowdonia Chutney - UK

Handcrafted in traditional copper pans, Snowdonia chutneys are a fantastic accompaniment to your favourite cheeses. Slightly sweet, sticky and scrumptious, you won't be disappointed by these spreads!

Snowdonia's website claims that these chutneys are suitable for people who are vegetarian, vegan, celiac and do not contain nuts (however there are nuts processed in the same facility). For more information, visit their website.

Currently carrying Pear, Date, Cognac flavour.

114g jars for $7.49

Out of Stock:  Delice de Bourgogne - Burgundy, France

By popular request, Délice de Bourgogne has graced the fridge of Flight Cheese Shop! This cheese is a triple cream Brie from the Burgundy region in France, and it differentiates itself from other similar cheeses by the addition of crème fraiche during the cheesemaking process. It's a bloomy rind cheese, with flavour notes of mushroom, cream, butter and a pleasant tartness and saltiness. It's ultra-creamy and gooey, and a fantastic choice for the soft cheese lovers out there.

Sold by weight, $8.00/100g

Out of Stock: Pastore Sardo (Pecorino Sardo) - Italy

A Sardinian table cheese, this young pecorino is a delicate and savoury treat! Made from raw sheep's milk, the cheese is semi-firm, slightly acidic and salty, with a mild sweetness. Perfect as a snacking cheese, on an appetizer cheese board or served with a light-bodied red wine. 

Sold by weight, $8.30/100g

Out of Stock: Mimolette (24 Month) - France

It’s been aged for 24 months with the help of some little critters (bear with me) called cheese mites!! Don’t worry, it’s nothing like Casu Marzu (don’t google that if you’re squeamish) but the cheese mites lend Mimolette its characteristic flavour around the rind. It’s rumoured to be originally made by the request of Louis XIV who wanted a French product to replace the then popular Edam from the Netherlands. The cheese is super rich, crumbly and reminiscent of a reaaalllyyyy old cheddar or gouda. It’s coloured bright orange by the addition of annatto, a classic cheese ingredient in pretty much any orange cheese. The perfect cheese for you aged-cheese-fanatics!

Sold by weight, $12.50/100g

Out of Stock: Prestige de Bourgogne - Burgundy, France

This luxurious triple cream cheese from the Burgundy region of France is a specialty of French gastronomy! Made from pasteurized cow's milk with the addition of cream, this is top notch for you ultra-creamy bloomy rind cheese lovers. It's slightly tart and lactic, but light and fresh. The texture is almost like a mousse - airy, yet decadently creamy. It's almost as if Chateau de Bourgogne and Delice de Bourgogne had a baby -- unctuous, creamy, and opulent, this is one you don't want to miss!

Sold by weight, $8.49/100g 

Out of Stock: Murcia al Vino - Spain

Murcia al Vino, also known as "Drunken Goat", is a pasteurized goats milk cheese from Spain that's been soaked in red wine, giving it its beautiful burgundy coloured rind. It's semi-firm, with a fruity, slightly salty, and deliciously goat-y flavour. Pairs best with a medium bodied and fruity red wine, ideally from Spain, such as Tempranillo! 

The milk for this cheese comes from the Murciano-Granadina goat breed, known as the best milk producing breed in Spain! The milk gives this cheese a little bit of a decadent edge over your standards goats milk cheeses. 

Sold by weight, $7.50/100g 

Out of Stock: Madawaska - Back40 Cheeses, Mississippi Station, ON

Madawaska cheese is a fantastic soft cheese from about an hour north of Kingston. It's made with raw sheeps milk, and has a really wide variety of textures in one slice of cheese! The center is chalky and slightly tangy, and it's soft, sweet and slightly salty under the rind. Pairs beautifully with sparkling wines, Pinot Gris or a dry Riesling. 

Sold by weight, $9.15/100g 

Out of Stock: Monte Enebro - Spain

Full flavoured and boldly goaty, Monte Enebro is a stunning goats milk cheese from just outside of Madrid in Spain. The rind of the cheese is not covered in ash as its appearance may seem, but it's actually ripened with pennicilium roqueforti - the same mold used in many blue cheeses! The main difference, is that instead of inoculating the cheese and spreading the mold throughout the interior, it is just used on the exterior, giving the cheese a spicy, peppercorn-like bite to complement the robust paste. Monte Enebro is only made by one producer in Spain, and has won countless awards around the world. Lovers of Grey Owl will surely appreciate this one!

Sold by weight, $7.29/100g 

Out of Stock: Black Olive Manchego - Spain

Visually exciting and deliciously savoury, this Manchego-style cheese from Spain is made with a black olive tapenade veining throughout its paste. The flavour of the cheese itself is pretty bang on for a typical Manchego, however the black olives give it a salty, umami and super savoury flavour. Definitely my favourite of the flavoured Manchegos I've carried in the past!

Sold by weight, $7.50/100g 

Out of Stock: Kaamps Maple Whiskey Gouda - Netherlands

A unique specialty from Kaamps, one of the few remaining Dutch farmstead creameries, this delicious cheese is made with the addition of Maple Syrup Whiskey, giving it a subtle, nutty/woody/sweet background flavour. The cheese is mild and is a fantastic choice for a cheese board or a grilled cheese!

Sold by weight, $9.50/100g