As we continue our lap around the seasons and summer is left far behind, our appetites also make a move. Hearty foods—including dense, ripe cheeses—now become as appealing as do warm sweaters and soft flannel sheets. Our fall cheese plate selection (available from most cheesemongers) satisfies these cool weather cravings with big, nutty, buttery flavors and supple wedges, served with a sampling of easy autumn accompaniments. Just unwrap the cheese, dish out the condiments, and add a few knives. Mmm, what a delicious season.
Garrotxa
Gray-rinded, with a bone-white interior, this signature goat’s milk cheese (pronounced gar-ROACH-uh) comes from Catalonia, Spain, where the goats feast on thyme and rosemary. Close your eyes and slowly savor this nutty, dense cheese to taste its herbal subtleties.
Serve with: Tangy-sweet Sour Cherry Preserves from Harvest Song; harvestsong.com
Rogue River Blue