AAACS Wine and Cheese

I have a group of girlfriends who assemble every now and then for wine and dinner.

We met at work, a place that we've all moved on from; despite our corporate introduction, I know we'll be close friends for years to come. Each time we see each other we pick up where we left off no matter how long it's been.

We live all over the Bay Area and every 3-6 weeks we meet somewhere in the middle. This usually happens to be near me since San Mateo sits between SJ and SF. Last evening was very hot, but we still held our AAACS (our initials :-) dinner at my house.

A simple summer's eve spread, we enjoyed some good wine and delicious cheese with bread, nuts, salad, and fruit. It's easy as pie, and even more delicious.

The star was a scrumptious plate of fromage direct from Whole Foods' gorgeous cheese department. The disk is a goat cheese made locally here in San Mateo County. The craggy piece of the moon is a cow's milk cheese from France, created at the request of Louis XIV who wanted a French cheese similar to Edam. It's colored orange to distinguish between the two. This cheese had wonderful flavor and is quite hard when aged. Cheese lovers actually prefer it this way due to the hazelnut-like flavor it takes on. I found the brie from Australia and had to try it. The ladies and I agreed the flavor was very special, mild and rich with a soft rind. It reminds me of days long gone when I could eat a wedge of brie and a hunk of bread as my lunch. Finally, a goat cheese with garlic and herbs. We are all lovers of goat's milk cheese; this was the biggest piece and the only bit we have left.

With our cheese we enjoyed two bottles of wine: Estancia Sauvignon Blanc from Monterey County; and Shoofly, a white wine from Australia. It gives no indication of the grapes used, just says an Australian white table wine. Both were great choices for a hot night. First time buys but a good gamble because I would purchase both again.

To round out the meal, a spinach salad with fresh corn, tomatoes, walnut oil, and red wine vinegar; and some delicious watermelon. A very sweet one, we ate half and I've saved the other to cut this weekend.

Before the ladies arrive and the fun begins...

~:~