What could be better than to break out that prized bottle of wine you've been saving, served with some of the world's greatest cheeses? This Four-Cheese Sampler was created with everyone's palate in mind. The cheeses in the sampler are:

• Blue - From Italy's famed Lombardy region comes superb Mountain Gorgonzola. It is mild yet tangy, creamy yet firm, with a pale interior laced with streaks of blue. Delicious served the Italian way (drizzled with honey), it is a real treat for connoisseurs.
• Nutty - Beemster Classic Exta Aged Gouda is ripened for a full 18 months to develop its nutty, caramel-like flavor. It is always a crowd pleaser.
• Creamy - French Camembert is a wonderfully creamy cow's milk cheese that is perfect before or after the meal.
• Tangy - No holiday cheese assortment would be complete without authentic cheddar, and this one from Denhay of England is as good as it gets.

Whether entertaining or having an intimate night in by the fire, our selection of favorites is sure to be a winner.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This sampler features four cheeses that are typical of four distinct regions of Italy:

• Toma Piedmontese - This simple mountain cheese has a thin rind with a custard-like interior, pierced by small pores.
• Grana Padano Stravecchio - The original hard Italian cheese, Grana Padano is a firm, dry, fruity cheese from the Po Valley of Northern Italy. Stravecchio is aged for an optimal 20 months. Grate it over pasta, vegetables or soup, or serve it as a table cheese drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.
• Mountain Gorgonzola - Italy's famous blue cheese comes from Lombardy. Made from cow's milk taken from local herds that graze on beautiful rolling pastures, no Italian Cheese Assortment would be complete without a cut of authentic Gorgonzola.
• Pecorino Toscano - This soft, sheep's milk cheese is made in the hills of Tuscany. It is young, sweet and springy. We find that this combination well represents the wide variety of flavors and textures found in Italian cheeses.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

Perfect for that slightly larger get together, our 8-Cheese Assortment contains all of the cheeses from our 4-piece version, plus four more half-pound cuts of some of our other favorites:

• Blue - From Italy's famed Lombardy region comes superb Mountain Gorgonzola. It is mild yet tangy, creamy yet firm, with a pale interior laced with streaks of blue. Delicious served the Italian way (drizzled with honey), it is a real treat for connoisseurs.
• Nutty - Beemster Classic Exta Aged Gouda is ripened for a full 18 months to develop its nutty, caramel-like flavor. It is always a crowd pleaser.
• Creamy - French Camembert is a wonderfully creamy cow's milk cheese that is perfect before or after the meal.
• Tangy - No holiday cheese assortment would be complete without authentic cheddar, and this one from Denhay of England is as good as it gets.
• Sheep - Malagon with Rosemary is made from 100% sheep's milk. Aged for over three months, this cheese has a wonderfully firm texture and an herbed-flavor that comes from its rosemary-impregnated rind.
• Goat - Famous chef Cas Spijkars spent years developing the recipe Dorothea, a remarkable Dutch goat cheese. Once tasted, never forgotten.
• Sweet - White Stilton with Mango & Ginger; a delightful dessert cheese studded with mango and ginger pieces. The UK's best seller!
• Tangy - Camembert, the most famous cheese from Normandy, has a white mold rind and a delicious, creamy interior.
• Water Crackers: Perfect for serving with cheeses, fruit, and spreads when entertaining. (4 oz.)

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

Long known as "The King of Cheeses", Blue Stilton is one of a handful of British cheeses granted the status of a "protected designation origin" (PDO) by the European Commission. Only cheese produced in the three counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and made according to a strict code may be called Stilton. There are just six dairies licensed to make Stilton, each being subject to regular audit by an independent inspection agency accredited to European Standard EN 45011.

To be called Stilton, a cheese must:

• be made only in the three counties from local milk which is pasteurized before use.
• be made only in a traditional cylindrical shape.
• be allowed to form its own crust or coat.
• be un-pressed.
• have delicate blue veins radiating from the center.
• have a taste profile typical of Stilton.

Made by the Long Clawson dairy, this product is perfect for snacking and as a part of the cheese course, but also is a wonderful cheese for salads and cooking.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 8 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

With Roquefort's fine, milky-white body veined with emerald green, and its well-balanced flavor, this cheese has been appreciated for generations. The secret of Roquefort's manufacture lies in the cellars built in the 17th century. Thanks to the fleurines that allow the air to circulate in the cellars, Société's master cheese-makers are able to maintain the relative humidity near to saturation point. These are the ideal conditions for the development of the subtle and unequalled flavor of Roquefort Société.

In accordance with the AOC Roquefort regulations, the production of Roquefort requires whole, raw sheep's milk. In order to be used in Roquefort production, this milk must come from within the Roquefort region, and from the ewe's of the Lacaune breed. Roquefort Société is delicious on a baguette, salad, or melted on a steak. Enjoy with your favorite bottle of Sauternes for a delicious ending to any memorable meal.

• Made from unpasteurized sheep's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 3 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

The original pioneer of Blue Stilton, commonly referred to as "The King of Cheeses," was Mr. Cooper Thornhill, owner of the Bell Inn on the Great North Road in the town of Stilton. In 1730, Mr. Thornhill discovered a distinctive blue cheese while visiting a small farm in rural Leicestershire. He fell in love with the cheese and forged a business arrangement that granted the Bell Inn exclusive marketing rights to Blue Stilton. Soon thereafter, wagon loads of cheese were being delivered to the Inn. Since the main stagecoach routes from London to the North of England passed through the village of Stilton he was able to promote the sale of this cheese and the legend of Stilton rapidly spread far and wide. The extraordinary flavor comes from careful aging for a minimum of three months. This Stilton is produced in Leicestershire and is full, rich and creamy. Its shocking blue veins radiate outward from a natural, crinkly brown crust, revealing layers and folds of honeyed, cheddary flavor. We recommend this mature Stilton as a pure table (eating) cheese; it is too precious and delicious to submerge in a dressing or dip.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts 1/2 of a 16 lb. wheel of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Roquefort is the ancient blue cheese from the Rouergue, a small region of southern France. It ranks with Stilton and Gorgonzola as the three musketeers of blue cheese, setting the gold standard for all other blues. Roquefort is made from raw sheep's milk, as opposed to the pasteurized cow's milk of its chief rivals. First evidence of Roquefort was discovered in 79 A.D. when Pliny the Elder wrote of its rich aroma. It was the favorite cheese of Charlemagne. In 1411 King Charles VI gave rights to the ageing of Roquefort to only one village: Roquefort-sur-Soulzon. It is aged naturally in the caves of Cambalou for a minimum of three months, developing an intense flavor profile. Roquefort quality comes from the ewe's milk, the processing of the curd, the penicillium roqueforti and then the maturation in natural caves. The milk is so prized that any leftover milk is saved, which is then used to make France's Valbreso Feta.

The Roquefort Association, Inc. protects the quality of Roquefort and marks all genuine Roqueforts with a red sheep seal (it is made from the milk of Red Lacaune sheep). This world renowned cheese is soft, rindless, and a bit crumbly.

• Made from unpasteurized sheep's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 3 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Roaring Forties Blue Cheese is made by the King Island Dairy. King Island is situated south of Melbourne, Australia at the western end of Bass Strait. Dairying is the largest primary industry among this island's 1,500 inhabitants. According to local legend, grass seeds found in King Island's soil are believed to have been washed ashore in straw mattresses from some 60 eighteenth-century French and English shipwrecks that are strewn along the King Island coast. For almost a century now, dairy herds have grazed on these unique pastures. The quality of these pastures, combined with a pristine environment, combined with a year round growing season, enables the dairy farmers on King Island to practice traditional feeding methods. The cows are reputed to produce the sweetest milk in the land and from this milk comes a range of dairy products acknowledged throughout Australia and rapidly earning the same sort of reputation in the international marketplace. Roaring Forties Blue is a full-flavored blue with a sweet, nutty character. The cheese is matured in blue wax, thus retaining its moisture and creating a smooth and creamy texture.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 3 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

igourmet.com is saluting blue cheese by offering this International Blue Cheese Assortment, containing four of the world's greatest blue cheeses. For creating blue cheese in the first place, we owe thanks to a micro-organism named penicillium roqueforti. This microscopic spore attaches itself to a young cheese and, assuming the cheese is laced with small cracks, multiplies and spreads blue mold throughout as the cheese matures. By the way, this little microbe is also the principal agent used in creating penicillin, the world's first antibiotic. And now, back to the cheese...

• Roquefort: The world's oldest known blue cheese. It is made from sheep's milk and can only be produced and aged in a specific region in France, also named Roquefort. Exceptionally tangy!
• Mountain Gorgonzola: Another ancient blue, this one hails from northern Italy. It has a firm,yet springy texture and a mellow bite that melts in your mouth.
• Roaring Forties: A modern blue from King Island, Australia. We are astounded by its creamy, delicious flavor everytime we sample it.
• Royal Blue Stilton: This special Stilton, still produced in Leicestershire, is full, rich and creamy. Its shocking blue veins radiate outward from a natural, crinkly brown crust, revealing layers and folds of honeyed, cheddary flavor.

This assortment includes one half-pound of each cheese selection.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

Rogue Creamery's "Oregon Blue" is the first blue cheese recipe made on the west coast and they thought it only fitting that this classic recipe become the first blue cheese ever smoked. The result is magic! "Oregon Blue" is a classic Roquefort style blue cheese that is cold smoked 16 hours with Oregon Hazelnut shells. The smoking process releases a sweet, creamy, smoky flavor that balances both the sharp blue flavor and sweet, creamy flavor of the 100% natural full cream sustainable milk from Bonanza View Dairy.Oregon's Rogue Creamery scored the coveted Best New Product in the World Award at the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) Food Show in New York (2005) and best product line (2006).for their Smoky Blue.

• Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.
• Suitable for vegetarians.
• Photo depicts whole 5 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Nestled in among the rolling hills of central Iowa is Maytag Dairy, which produces Maytag Blue cheese. Shortly before World War II, F.L. Maytag II began working with scientists at Iowa State University to begin making a great American blue cheese, modeled after those of Europe. The result was one of the first American farmstead cheeses of superior quality. Maytag cheese makers, however, are still hand making the same cheese that they created in the 1930's. Maytag Blue's popularity has taken off with the growing interest in American farmstead cheeses, and this wonderful, tangy blue cheese is now featured on menus across the country. Its wonderful flavor, moist yet crumbly texture, and lemony finish make Maytag one of the world's great blue cheeses.

• Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 4 lb form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• We sell this item in whole form. (item 098W)

The original pioneer of Blue Stilton, commonly referred to as "The King of Cheeses," was Mr. Cooper Thornhill, owner of the Bell Inn on the Great North Road in the town of Stilton. In 1730, Mr. Thornhill discovered a distinctive blue cheese while visiting a small farm in rural Leicestershire. He fell in love with the cheese and forged a business arrangement that granted the Bell Inn exclusive marketing rights to Blue Stilton. Soon thereafter, wagon loads of cheese were being delivered to the Inn. Since the main stagecoach routes from London to the North of England passed through the village of Stilton he was able to promote the sale of this cheese and the legend of Stilton rapidly spread far and wide. The extraordinary flavor comes from careful aging for a minimum of three months. This Stilton is produced in Leicestershire and is full, rich and creamy. Its shocking blue veins radiate outward from a natural, crinkly brown crust, revealing layers and folds of honeyed, cheddary flavor. We recommend this mature Stilton as a pure table (eating) cheese; it is too precious and delicious to submerge in a dressing or dip.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts 1/2 of a 16 lb. wheel of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

igourmet.com is saluting blue cheese by offering this International Blue Cheese Assortment, containing four of the world's greatest blue cheeses. For creating blue cheese in the first place, we owe thanks to a micro-organism named penicillium roqueforti. This microscopic spore attaches itself to a young cheese and, assuming the cheese is laced with small cracks, multiplies and spreads blue mold throughout as the cheese matures. By the way, this little microbe is also the principal agent used in creating penicillin, the world's first antibiotic. And now, back to the cheese...

• Roquefort: The world's oldest known blue cheese. It is made from sheep's milk and can only be produced and aged in a specific region in France, also named Roquefort. Exceptionally tangy! (8 oz.)
• Mountain Gorgonzola: Another ancient blue, this one hails from northern Italy. It has a firm yet springy texture and a mellow bite that melts in your mouth. (8 oz.)
• Roaring Forties: A modern blue from King Island, Australia. We are astounded by its creamy, delicious flavor everytime we sample it. (8 oz.)
• Royal Blue Stilton: This special Stilton, still produced in Leicestershire, is full, rich and creamy. Its shocking blue veins radiate outward from a natural, crinkly brown crust, revealing layers and folds of honeyed, cheddary flavor. (8 oz.)
• igourmet.com Signature Cheese Serving Knife: Specifically crafted for us at igourmet.com, this multi-function cheese knife is the perfect tool to easily slice uniform servings of your favorite cheeses.
• Water Crackers: Perfect for serving with cheeses, fruit, and spreads when entertaining. (4 oz.)

This assortment includes one half-pound each cheese selection packed in a sturdy chocolate colored gift box with yellow ribbon.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value

Royal Windsor is a British creation, combining three wonderful flavors into one of the most visually striking cheeses the world has ever seen. The base cheese is cheddar, which is marbled with bright red, fruity Elderberry wine. Inside is a layer of veiny Blue Stilton, offering its tangy, distinctive flavor. The taste combination is extraordinary and the presentation will certainly draw many oohs and aahs at your next party. If you like Huntsman (Double Gloucester with Blue Stilton), then you must try Royal Windsor.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 5 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Long known as "The King of Cheeses", Blue Stilton is one of a handful of British cheeses granted the status of a "protected designation origin" (PDO) by the European Commission. Only cheese produced in the three counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and made according to a strict code may be called Stilton. There are just six dairies licensed to make Stilton, each being subject to regular audit by an independent inspection agency accredited to European Standard EN 45011.

To be called Stilton, a cheese must:

• be made only in the three counties from local milk which is pasteurized before use.
• be made only in a traditional cylindrical shape.
• be allowed to form its own crust or coat.
• be un-pressed.
• have delicate blue veins radiating from the center.
• have a taste profile typical of Stilton.

Made by the Long Clawson dairy, this product is perfect for snacking and as a part of the cheese course, but also is a wonderful cheese for salads and cooking.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 8 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

From Italy's Lombardy region comes the most imitated blue cheese in the world. Many cheeses falsely claim to be gorgonzola, but they always leave you singing the blues. Authentic Italian Gorgonzola comes in two varieties; Dolce - meaning sweet; and Mountain - the sharper and firmer version. Dating back to ancient times, this member of the stracchino family is one of the world's classic cheeses.

Almost spreadable, Gorgonzola Dolce is supple and luxurious with an unmistakable tangy creaminess. Its pale white interior is laced with streaks of blue, giving Gorgonzola Dolce a striking appearance to match its piquant flavor. Enjoy Gorgonzola Dolce as a table cheese; spread thickly on a piece of crusty baguette; or as an ingredient in your favorite salad dressing.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 3 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

This DOP Spanish blue cheese is often sold as Cabrales in the United States because its flavor is similar to that bold blue, but is slightly tamer. It, therefore, appeals to a wider range of palates. The cheese is made in the Castille-Leon region of the northwestern Spain and is wrapped in chestnut leaves before being sent to market. The cheese has a very intense blue flavor, but is not as yellowed or as biting as true Cabrales.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 6 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

White Stilton, the young, immature cousin to the world famous British blue cheese, is extra creamy and deliciously tangy but somehow unfinished all by itself - much like plain yogurt. Hence the need to introduce a fruit. Available with apricots, lemon, ginger, and eight other wicked flavors. Each of these flavorful additions tames the brash White Stilton. After your first bite you will immediately recognize that the combination is a natural fit. The expert cheesemakers have added exactly the right amount of fruit such that the cheese is not overly sweet. Aged for a minimal time period, our family of flavored White Stiltons are fresh tasting products. Owing to their delicious flavors, beautiful presentations and wickedly scrumptious names, they are among the best selling blended cheeses in the U.K.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Suitable for vegetarians.
• Varieties are sold separately

Crafted by Boska of Holland, this stainless steel cheese knife is perfect for smoothly slicing into your favorite wedge of blue cheese. From Stilton and Roquefort to Gorgonzola and Danish Blue, this knife easily slices through both crumbly and creamy blue cheeses. Whether you like blue cheese on your salad, steak, or just on its own, this knife is indispensable for the blue cheese lover.

Blue Stilton English cheese: King Of Cheeses, close textured un-pressed cheese with a pale ivory paste, grading to amber at the edges and marbled with white powdery patches. Full, fruity, deep, intense, sharp, and buttery flavor. Its made from whole cow's milk.

Swiss Valley Dairy specializes in Blue-veined cheeses including Gorgonzola and Mindoro Blue, which is a drier and stronger version of their gorgonzola. Their manufacturing facility for blue-veined cheese is located in Mindoro, Wisconsin, in the southwestern part of the state.

Mindoro Plant Manager, Richard Glick, is a certified Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker. Mindoro Blue and Gorgonzola are premier cheeses in their categories and have won numerous awards. Recent awards include: Third place, Blue cheese, National Milk Producers Federation, 2006 Third place, Blue cheese, World Dairy Expo, 2005 Third place, Blue cheese, World Cheese Awards (London), 2004

White Stilton, the young, immature cousin to the world famous British blue cheese, is extra creamy and deliciously tangy but somehow unfinished all by itself - much like plain yogurt. Hence the need to introduce a fruit. Available with apricots, lemon, ginger, and eight other wicked flavors. Each of these flavorful additions tames the brash White Stilton. After your first bite you will immediately recognize that the combination is a natural fit. The expert cheesemakers have added exactly the right amount of fruit such that the cheese is not overly sweet. Aged for a minimal time period, our family of flavored White Stiltons are fresh tasting products. Owing to their delicious flavors, beautiful presentations and wickedly scrumptious names, they are among the best selling blended cheeses in the U.K.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Suitable for vegetarians.
• Varieties are sold separately

Those Brits, long enamored with blue cheeses, have inspired us to create this special blue cheese assortment. To round out the pack, we've included one of our favorite Irish blues, the inimitable Cashel Blue. This assortment of blue cheeses showcases how varied the texture and sharpness can be. It includes:

• Shropshire Blue: Made in a similar way to Stilton, it is a soft cheese with a sharp, strong flavor that takes between six to eight weeks to mature. Orange in color with blue veining, it enjoys a slightly tangy aroma. (8 oz.)
• Royal Windsor: Combines three flavorful elements into a strikingly unique creation: cheddar, wine, and Stilton. (8 oz.)
• Cashel Blue: Ireland's Beechmount Farm makes this superb blue cheese. Cashel Blue is a young, somewhat mild and extra creamy cheese that, unlike inferior blues, is not too salty. (8 oz.)
• Royal Blue Stilton: This special Stilton, still produced in Leicestershire, is full, rich and creamy. Its blue veins radiate outward from a natural, crinkly brown crust, revealing layers and folds of honeyed, cheddary flavor. (8 oz.)
• Specialty Cheese Crackers from Fine Cheese Company: This range of crackers was designed by cheese gurus and is a perfect complement for every cheese. (5.3 oz.) Please Note: Any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal or greater value.
  

From Italy's Lombardy region, we present Mountain Gorgonzola, a sharp and tangy cheese. With its white interior laced with streaks of blue, Mountain Gorgonzola is an attractive table cheese and a savory ingredient in your favorite salad. Or- try it the Italian way - on a plate drizzled with honey.

• Made from cow's milk.
• Whole form is 14 pounds.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Societe Roquefort is an exquisite French blue cheese made from unpasteurized ewe's milk. It has a firm, smooth white paste with uniform bluish-green veining. Virtually rindless, with fruity notes of nuts and raisins, its flavor is salty, with delicate complexity and a tangy finish. Pair with full-bodied dessert wines. Approximate Net Weight: 16 oz.

This creamy and spreadable cheese is still made, as it has been for 300 years, in the same three counties in England. As compared to other blue cheeses, Stilton Blue is lighter than Gorgonzola and richer than Danish Blue. Salty, with a very sreadable consistency. Easy to melt, this British import is paired with salads, or baked into biscuits. Wine Alert! Tawny port, Sauterne, Muscat, Shiraz.