Product Review: Fiscalini Cheese

"Cow comfort" - The primary concern on the dairy farm of this gourmet cheese maker. The motto on their website (www.fiscalinicheese.com) is "Great cheese comes from happy cows, and happy cows come from California."

Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese is located in Modesto, CA on a dairy farm founded in 1914. Late in 2000, John Fiscalini added a cheese plant to the dairy farm and a few months later hired Mariano Gonzales as the head cheesemaker. Mariano, born in Paraguay, is a world-renowned cheesemaker, learning from childhood how to make excellent cheese. The company specializes in gourmet cheddars.

All of their cheeses are made with natural products, using raw milk. There are no artificial ingredients, such as preservatives and colors. They make cheese the original way - a labor-intensive process - that brings out the taste and texture of the cheese. The cheeses are made in small quantities in an open vat and handcrafted. They do not pasteurize the milk, claiming this allows "for the wholesome, natural flavors of the fresh clean milk to be expressed in the cheese."

Fiscalini Cheese recently won 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal in London at the 2007 World Cheese Awards. Their 18 month cheddar has been awarded the Wyke Farms Trophy for being the best extra mature cheddar in the world. The 30 month cheddar ($24 per pound) won a silver medal. In addition, the 'Fiscalini Cheddar' won a gold medal.

They offer 'Fiscalini Cheddar,' smoked cheddar, Purple Moon cheddar (made with Cabernet Sauvignon), Black Wax Cheddar, 18 month Extra Mature Cheddar, and 30 month Vintage Cheddar. They also make seven flavored cheddars: Caraway, Dill, Garlic, Pepper, Sage, Saffron, and Taragon. Fiscalini Cheese created their own cheese as well, named San Joaquin Gold. It is a semi-hard cheese with a buttery flavor. These cheeses vary in price, from $12 to $24 per pound. You can also order gift baskets, ranging from $20 to $80, from their website.

For the holidays, they have shaped cheeses - a snowman, the Fiscalini cow, a Holiday Tree, and a Holiday Heart. These are 2.5 or 3 oz and cost $7.50 each.

Where to get these gourmet cheeses and unique holiday gifts? You can order from their Cheese Store or go to your local Safeway, Randall's, Tom Thumb, Whole Foods, Specs, or Central Markets. There are many other retailers that vary by state. You can locate a retailer near you by going to www.fiscalinicheese.com and clicking on 'Locate a Retailer.'