Marieke Penterman and her family relocated from the Netherlands to the nether regions of northern Wisconsin to pursue their cheesemaking dreams. They produce an array of award-winning gouda cheeses that would make their cousins across the pond blush! The Wisconsin cheese is crafted from the milk of Holstein-Fresian cows, the breed developed for its dairying prowess in Holland. Each wax-coated wheel is aged between 12 and 18 months, during which time it develops a dense, firm paste and a caramelly sweet, grassy flavor. The wheels of Marieke Premium Gouda are studded with crystalline crunchy bits known as tyrosine, which are clusters of protein that calcify during the aging process. Pairing Notes: Malty amber and brown ales, Belgian dubbel beers, rich red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel, Bourbon