Ursula Heinzelmann, Wein- & Essenschreiberin
When I visited Petra Elsen on a research trip in May 2008 and wrote about her in my first cheese book, the title of that passage was “The Hommerdingen hero”: On the map Hommerdingen is just a tiny dot southwest of Bitburg, not far from the Luxemburg border, but in the new realm of German cheeses it deserves three stars: “one of the best cheesemakers, worth a special journey”. » Weiterlesen…
The category of sparkling sake is still a young one, and possibly that’s the reason it is more popular abroad than in Japan. However there is a traditional context to it. » Weiterlesen…
And suddenly it’s the Easter weekend, and April again, and again – still! – sooo much uncertainty ahead of us. Which is why we need at least a sturdy cheese, one that provides that friendly nudge, tells you to keep swimming and smiling, slaps his arm around your sagging shoulders, and gives you a push, like a fresh gust of April tailwind on your morning run. Sturdy means: reliable, unfussy and yet not boring, just good – such as the Calver family’s Westcombe cheddar from the lush green pastures of Somerset, halfway from London to Cornwall.. » Weiterlesen…
This month we’re introducing you to one of the sake world’s secret stars: Urakasumi or Misty Bay, as it is called on the export label. There is hardly another sake or another sake brewery with an equal record of national and international awards that would still be available at this affordable price. » Weiterlesen…
Which country is top of the list for cheese producers by volume worldwide? Not Switzerland, not France and not Italy either, but the USA. Makes sense, seen its size. However, who is number two and ranks as number one for cheese exports worldwide? Germany! Which makes it utterly frustrating how difficult it is to find good German cheese abroad. » Weiterlesen…
For February we chose two Junmaishu which are quite acidity-driven, though with Sake that still tastes rather mild compared to white wine, a fact that’s convinced many who were looking for something more elegant than beer to have with their meal. » Weiterlesen…
Almost two years old, dense and brittle, yet the very opposite of dry, the hard, crumbling density melts into a gorgeously fruit and caramel driven loveliness, both savory and sweet, cheese and dessert, like a rich rice pudding yet so much better… Cironé is quite a newcomer at cheese counters a bit worldwide, but in its essence an ancient classic. » Weiterlesen…
After the super elegant finale of the old year we start the new one with two bold, strong sake to counter the grey, rather dark days of January. » Weiterlesen…
January – a new year, a fresh start… although that won’t happen overnight, as if by magic, with the change of a digit. But as usual (well, mostly ;) optimism and confidence reign high in the Heinzelcheese realm. And I do hope the same is true for all of you! As a role model and delicious guidance, I present you this month’s cheese. Fresh, simple and the result of a new beginning. In the fall of last year Yule Seifert (Belgian, engineer, huge heart for cheese) and Paul Thomas (British, dairy technologist, huge knowledge about cheesemaking) started their own production! » Weiterlesen…
To fit with the season, for this month we selected two daiginjo sake, from Sogen and Ichinikura. Daiginjo means that the rice is polished to just 40 percent of the initial grain, leaving only the inner part. This inner part is full of concentrated aromas that make the sake taste quite full, but at the same time very elegant. » Weiterlesen…