This deliciously nutty Alpine-style cheese is named for Alpha Tolman, a philanthropic dairy farmer whose most notable impact on the town of Greensboro, VT was actually inedible: the town library! The raw milk used for Alpha Tolman (the cheese) comes from Jasper Hill’s Andersonville herd. These cows are managed by their team to produce milk that’s particularly perfect for cheesemaking. In 2020, Jasper Hill (helmed by master cheesemaker Mateo Kehler) made a large purchase from the Comté region of France: two copper vats and a rarely-seen-in-the-United-States GSV system. In their own words, this system is “a network of vacuum bells that siphon out excess whey from the curd, ideal for making smoothly textured alpine-style cheeses.” A sister cheese of Comté, it’s no surprise that Alpha is one of the cheeses made in this system!
Fresh wheels are washed with a cultured brine to cultivate a rosy orange rind that imparts a funky depth to the ripening paste beneath. Young wheels have milky, fruit and nut flavors and a smooth mouthfeel. Mature wheels are more bold and meaty, with amplified butter and caramelized onion flavors enhanced by their rich texture. Aged between 9-10 months in the Cellars at Jasper Hill.
Pairing notes: Vin Jaune, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Arbois, Amber Ale, hard cider
Love Alpha Tolman? Check out our selection of other delicious Alpine-style cheese.
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