SHERRY GRAY
MILK TYPE: Pasteurized Cow Milk
STYLE: Ash-Ripened Bloomy Rind
MILK SOURCE: Local Pastured Herds; Monument Dairy Cream
FORMAT: 7 oz Wheel
AFFINAGE: 12-14 Days
TYPICAL PROFILE: Cultured Cream, Mushroom, Nuts.
THE STORY
SHERRY GRAY is a double-cream, ash-ripened medallion made with grass-fed cows’ milk and cream.
This cheese honors the memory of a treasured member of our community who modeled humanity and inspired our commitment to Community and to Place. Sherry loved Greensboro. He settled into an ascetic life in a sod hut on Barr Hill in the 1970’s trading the fortunes of urban living for the satisfaction of life Here. Sherry was a humble man who served us all, modeled citizenship, boosted community, and inspired generations as a substitute teacher and mentor to many.
The ash coating on this cheese serves a purpose beyond the aesthetically pleasing, stony complexion of its rind; it plays a part in tempering the fresh wheels’ surface pH and fosters the development of a thin, even bloom of flora. The extra cream and relatively long culturing time create an almost whipped texture, which coats the palate in buttery richness.
SENSORY
The result of all of this detailed ripening is a truly indulgent, one-of-a-kind cheese. Sherry Gray is, first, a feast for the eyes with its soft, silvery rind; the black ash peeking through a frosty layer of delicate bloom. Cutting into the wheel reveals a yielding, glistening paste with the texture of softened butter. Flavors of cultured cream dominate, with subtle hints of fresh button mushrooms and a warm, nutty finish that lingers on the palate.
PAIRING AND SERVICE — A cheese as decadent as this just begs for bubbles. Serve with lightly toasted rosemary-olive oil crostini, or simply enjoy with a cup of herbal tea in the evening.
