MORE New Arrivals

New Cheese

Roaring 40's Blue from Australia - This cow's milk blue is named after the powerful storms called "roaring forties" that pummel the shoreline and wash up the kelp that flavours the cow's diet as they graze. Creamy, superbly fruity and nutty. - $16.50 / LB

Bra Tenero from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. The city of Bra is the self-proclaimed capital of cheese in Europe. Bra Tenero has a semi-hard texture and a dense, slightly piquant flavour. Pair with Cabernet or a hearty Italian red. - $18.00 / LB

Lamb Chopper this is a sheep's milk cheese made in Holland exclusively for Cypress Grove Farms in California (whew!). This is a unique, mildly buttery, pleasingly "sheep-y" firm textured cheese. - $26.00 / LB

Zamorano from Spain. DOC protected, this is also a sheep's milk cheese but decidedly older, crunch-i-er and saltier than the Lamb Chopper certainly and has even more flavour that our pasteurized Manchego (the jury is still out on the raw Manchego). $26.00 / LB


New - Charcuterie and Accouterments

Duck Pate Mousse with Truffles
Salmon Mousse Pate

Olive Oil infused with White Truffles (from France)
Risotto with Truffles
Polenta with Truffles

(are you sensing a trend?)

Italian Flag Pasta
Swedish Leksands Crispbreads
Australian Organic Water Crackers (ok we had these in before, but they were sold out for a while)


This Weekend...

We received a delivery of ORGANIC FRENCH WINES

We've had several requests for organic wine. The 4 we are getting are boutique, fabulous examples of French wines. An Alsace Riesling, 2 red Bordeaux blends, and a rend blend from the Languedoc.

So what's the deal with ORGANIC WINE ? The information below is from our organic wine importer, and The Biodynamic Farming Association of the United Kingdom, respectively.

Organic farming has generally accepted practices around the world and in its simplest form, is very similar from country to country. All practice Earth-friendly farming techniques and respect the very inherent relationship with nature and the Earth. They are free of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers and other synthetic chemicals.

Generally, most of the confusion comes in regarding how different agencies in different countries certify products as organic.There are two primary opinions in the world that help to both provide clarity and confusion on these topics.

First, there is the opinion of the United States/FDA or NOP (National Organics Program). Secondly, there is the stance of the European Nations and their respective certifying agencies.

The public often equates organic wines with “sulfite-free” wines. This is inaccurate. In the United States, in order for wines to be labeled organic, they can contain no more than 10 ppm (parts per million) of sulfites. And to be labeled as “Wine made from organically grown grapes”, they can contain no more than 100 ppm of sulfites.

So where do we stand with our organic wines and the amount of sulfites used in their production and their certifications? According to the information provided by the vineyards, the organic reds, on average, have about 45 ppm of total sulfites, while the whites and the sparkling wines have about 75 ppm. These wine producers are striving to use the smallest possible amount of sulfites necessary to allow their wines to properly mature.

The certifying agencies that these vineyards use are internationally recognized organizations. For the organic designations, both Ecocert and Agriculture Biologique are used and for the Biodynamic farmers, Demeter handles the certifications.

Biodynamic agriculture is the oldest consciously organic approach to farming and gardening and is one of the most sustainable in existence. It is founded on a holistic and spiritual understanding of nature and the human being and builds on the pioneering research work of Rudolf Steiner.

Who was Rudolf Steiner?
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was an Austrian philosopher, scientist and social reformer who sought to extend scientific research beyond the existing parameters of natural science and investigate the non-physical, spiritual realities of life. Using a clear and accessible means for attaining spiritual knowledge, he offered insights that have inspired new approaches to medicine, education, the arts, social reform and economics as well as agriculture. Spiritual science follows a conscious methodology that can be followed up with rigorous thinking activity. The name given to this new branch of science is 'anthroposophy', a Greek word meaning 'wisdom of Man'.

How is biodynamic different from organic?
Every biodynamic farm aims to become self-sufficient in compost, manures and animal feeds.
All external inputs are kept to a minimum.
Compost is treated with special herb-based preparations.
Crop quality is improved using natural manure and quartz based preparations.
Ecological diversity is a goal of landscape management. An astronomical calendar is used to determine auspicious, planting, cultivating and harvesting times.