Sweet, Cheese-Us!
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
A friend of mine recently found out that she’s lactose intolerant. Reacting perhaps as a cruel friend, I immediately spoke the first thought that came to mind: “So no more ice cream or frozen yogurt?”
“Actually, I’m more upset about not being able to eat cheese.”
Being a lifelong cheese consumer, she’s bummed, to say the least, and understandably so. Being a good friend, I assured her I’d eat enough cheese for the both of us.
Image: Nayashkova Olga/Shutterstock
Upon moving to the NoVA area, I have realized that there is an abundance of great cheese shops here. Who woulda thunk? Wisconsin, of course. Vermont, sure. But Virginia? Sweet! To say the least, I’m glad to know the NoVA area has such a sharp thing to offer as great cheese. You cheddar believe it!
So, in lieu of all the grate cheese puns, I’ve decided to post a little visit from the cheese muenster (pardon the cheesiness). Here’s a short list, just enough to tickle your cheese fancy, of local places to find good cheese in NoVA (in simple alphabetical order):
Bella Italia Market & Deli (320 William St., Fredericksburg; 540-371-3354)
This small market offers a wide range of Italian groceries, including, of course, cheese.
Blue Ridge Dairy Company (retail in a variety of locations; 703-443-6605)
This Leesburg based farm makes four kinds of cheese in their artisan creamery: fresh mozzarella, applewood smoked mozzarella, aged feta, and fresh ricotta. You can buy their products in a variety of farmers markets and Whole Foods stores in Arlington, Alexandria, Tyson’s Corner, Vienna, Reston, Springfield, and Fair Lakes.
Cheesetique (2441 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, and a new location opening in Shirlington; 703-706-5300)
This half specialty cheese shop, half cheese and wine bar hosts monthly hour-long cheese classes including cheese education and tasting, as well as private cheese classes ($55 pp).
Everona Dairy (23246 Clarks Mountain Road, Rapidan; 540-854-4159)
Everona’s cheeses are part of their main product line, including the Piedmont, their signature cheese made with sheep’s milk.
The Frenchman’s Cellar (129 East Davis St., Culpeper; 540 827–4757)
The Frenchman’s Cellar offers samples and explanations of their over 50 in-house cheeses, sliced to order.
La Fromagerie (1222 King St., Alexandria; 703-879-2467)
With the simple proper French name, La Fromagerie cheese shop shows off their main shining star with an enormous selection of seasonal cheeses.
Marshall Farms Corner (Route 522 & Route 20, Unionville; 540-854-6800)
This farm, country store, deli and wine shop in the Shenandoah Mountains makes their own natural cheese with organic milk from their pasture raised dairy cows. They have five different varieties of cheddar and four different varieties of jack, including one with sundried tomato and basil. They also offer an extensive breakfast and lunch menu featuring what else but their homemade cheese.
Mountain View Farm Products (85 Marmac Lane, Fairfield; 540-460-4161)
Mountain View Farm Products is a family owned, 250 acre dairy farm with approximately 120 cows and fresh farmstead cheeses made with raw milk, cultures, herbs, spices and peppers.
Oak Spring Dairy (8370 Oak Spring Road, Upperville; 540-592-3559)
This 150 acre farm specializes in their own raw cheese, made with naturally produced milk.
Screwtop Cheese Shop (1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington; 703-888-0845)
Screwtop’s weekly rotating cheese in stock ranges from “fresh & bright,” “creamy & bloomy,” “aromatic & delightful,” “nutty & caramel-y,” and “flavored” from various regions in the US and worldwide.
-Julia Harbo
Tags: cheese, cow, dairy, farms, food, Gut Check, julia harbo, milk, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, sheep, shops