Willow Hill Vermont Brebis

Artisanal CheeseClock Pairing Tool

In the year 1530, East Friesian sheep were mentioned in the official Vatican Archives as "being larger than other sheep, and able to raise up to five lambs." Willa Smart, of Willow Hill Farm in northwestern Vermont, has taken to using the breed - new to the US in 1996 - to make her fantastic sheep's milk cheeses. The Vermont Brebis is a soft-ripened, bloomy-rind cheese, styled after a camembert. Allowed to ripen, it overflows with notes of earth and mushroom. Ultimately, the delicate paste becomes smooth and spreadable, while still retaining a characteristic brightness. It pairs beautifully with dry rieslings and earthy pinot noirs. One piece weighs approximately 6 ounces.