Valentine's Day cheeseboard

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching I thought it would be fun to make a cheeseboard to celebrate. Normally I always see cheeseboards out around the winter holidays, but I think it's perfect for Valentine's Day! One thing I love about cheese is how you can pair it with so many complimentary items. Valentine's Day is about love, and since a traditional gift is chocolates, I thought it would be fun to make a cheeseboard paired with sweet, as opposed to savory, items. I partnered with Wisconsin Cheese to show how three of their cheeses could be used to make a delicious spread!

The first cheese on my cheeseboard is Merlot BellaVitano. This cheese has a creamy consistency similar to Cheddar, but is milder, and has hints of Parmesan. Pair Merlot Bellavitano with fresh blackberries and smooth dark chocolate. The blackberries and chocolate enhance the berry notes already present in the cheese.

Next, Pleasant Ridge Reserve, a Gruyere-style cheese made with unpasteurized cow’s milk from pasture-grazed cows. I thought some chocolate and nuts would be the perfect companion for this one. Creamy and nutty, this cheese really stands on it’s own.Last but not least, the crème de la crème, a wash-rind and soft-ripened cheese. Don’t be fooled when you unwrap the boldly fragrant Petite Frère; it’s a sweet, decadent and flavor-complimenting cheese. I loved pairing fresh strawberries and a drizzle of honey with it. Together they were absolutely amazing, and the perfect end to a delicious cheese course.