Food & Wine Cheese Tastings

[gismo1554]

OK has anyone ever done one of these? What do you get? Is it worth the money?

 

[tiggr33]

I did one two years ago. Although it was nice, I wouldn't rave about it or do it again. The one I attended certainly was not worth the cost. It was about 5 pieces of cheese, some fruit, and a glass of wine. I didn't really learn anything in the session, which was disappointing.

 

[oybolshoi]

My hubby and I thought about trying one of these last year when it was first offered but after reading this review decided against it. It's not that the event was bad, but I got the distinct impression that it's really not worth the money unless you're interested in listening to an "expert" talk about cheese.

The link I've posted will take you to a review at All Ears ... they're extremely reliable. Hope this helps.


cheese tasting review

 

[tiggr33]

but I got the distinct impression that it's really not worth the money unless you're interested in listening to an "expert" talk about cheese.

I worked in the cheese industry and I was interested to hear an expert talk about cheese. We did not get that. The presentors I had talked more about the wine, and were gourmet retailers not cheese mongers or makers.

I have photos from the event I did, I'll try and post them later today. We did an Italian Cheese course.

 

[luvpooh]

I worked in the cheese industry and I was interested to hear an expert talk about cheese. We did not get that. The presentors I had talked more about the wine, and were gourmet retailers not cheese mongers or makers.

I have photos from the event I did, I'll try and post them later today. We did an Italian Cheese course.

I just wrote basically the same reply in the F&W Festival sticky thread above. We must have been at the same event!

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks for this! Starting to think it might be a no no then.

 

[luvpooh]

My hubby and I thought about trying one of these last year when it was first offered but after reading this review decided against it. It's not that the event was bad, but I got the distinct impression that it's really not worth the money unless you're interested in listening to an "expert" talk about cheese.

The link I've posted will take you to a review at All Ears ... they're extremely reliable. Hope this helps.


cheese tasting review

sounds like not much changed from 2 years ago to last year, except the location and the price! The food and drink involved seem to be in the same quantity. For seventy bucks, not worth it to me (although in the review they did of the event last year, they got brillat savarin...drool...)but I can get that at home for 4 bucks for a quarter pound and be happy as a clam! Oh, and I have better acoutrements with my cheese plates!

 

[oybolshoi]

sounds like not much changed from 2 years ago to last year, except the location and the price! The food and drink involved seem to be in the same quantity. For seventy bucks, not worth it to me (although in the review they did of the event last year, they got brillat savarin...drool...)but I can get that at home for 4 bucks for a quarter pound and be happy as a clam! Oh, and I have better acoutrements with my cheese plates!

That's pretty much the impression I got, too. I can poke around the internet and find out pretty much anything I want to know about a specific cheese and since we've found out that Whole Foods is offereing classes locally for $20 per person (9 cheese samples, plenty of wine, interesting accompaniments, sometimes chocolate to finish off the evening) there is no way that I'll pay $70 per person at Epcot. We'd just end up being disappointed.

Brillat savarin ... just tried that for the first time last month ... ohmigod so good!!!

 

[oybolshoi]

I worked in the cheese industry and I was interested to hear an expert talk about cheese. We did not get that. The presentors I had talked more about the wine, and were gourmet retailers not cheese mongers or makers.

I have photos from the event I did, I'll try and post them later today. We did an Italian Cheese course.

I think you made a really great point - the presenters are expert retailers, not expert cheesemakers. Big difference.

I'd love to see your pictures, so thanks in advance!

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks a lot

 

[tiggr33]

These were the photos in my organized files. I'm sure there are more, somewhere. When I attended in 2006 the price was $45. The wines served did not retail for more then $20 or so a bottle from what I remember. The cheeses were simply tasting size. I can't find my notes to see exactly what cheeses were served. I could guess by the looks, but it would be a guess.

This is a shot of one of the presentors and the slide show title slide

The below is the sampler we received....I did miss speak earlier. It isn't 5 pieces it appears to be 8 to 10. They wanted us to pair each cheese with both the red wine and the white wine.

This shot represents the cracker assortment. And it was to be shared by 2 people. Notice there are no water crackers. All the crackers were very rich heavy crackers. Too salty and the fat content leaves your toungue coated with a film. Not exactly the best crackers to do a tasting with. Along with the wines served (sorry I can't find my notes at the moment). You will also see the back of my "child" Bear. Him and his brother Pal (Mickey) go to all events with us.

 

[luvpooh]

yup, we were at the same cheese tasting. I don't remember there being that many pieces of cheese either, however, I do remember swiping the cheese (and wine, ahem) from the empty seat next to me that remained unoccupied for the duration (luckily I did not get an extra bill on the way out).
The red wine was Villa Antinori and it is a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and something else. It is close to the only red wine, that I have tried, I can drink without getting sick. I don't remember anything about the white.
There was one cheese, Boschetto al Tartufo Bianchetto, that was yum. It is also residing in my refrigerator right now (not the same cheese from the tasting, that would just be gross!)