Area cheesemakers make Saveur’s cut

Inland Northwest cheesemakers got some love in the latest issue of Saveur magazine.

In an entire issue devoted to American artisanal cheese, Saveur recognized the efforts of Washington State University for its Cougar Gold and named cheeses made by Sally Jackson in Oroville, Wash., among 50 favorite cheeses from small producers across the U.S.

Here’s what the magazine’s editors had to say about the cheeses produced before a boom of artisanal producers began to emerge in the early 1980s:

“Some pretty good cheese was being made in America in the mid-20th century: certain cheddars produced in Vermont, New York, Wisconsin, and California; high-quality monterey jack; soft-ripened offerings from the Marin French Cheese Company; a few inventions out of university dairy science departments, like Washington State University’s cheddar Cougar Gold (packed in cans) and the estimable Maytag Blue, developed by Iowa State University.”

The magazine also included Sally Jackson Cheeses and her Guernsey in Chestnut Leaves in its list of 50 favorite cheese. Because Jackson produces such small quantities of cheeses, it is not available in Spokane. It’s sold in Seattle Whole Foods markets, Quality Cheese at Pike Place Market and the Puget Consumer Co-op.

Jackson said her cheese soon will be making an appearance in Walla Walla.

This is what the magazine said about Jackson’s cheese: “Earthy, with slight mushroom notes drawn from its chestnut leaf wrapping, this cheese is truly handcrafted, in tiny quantities (it comes from the milk of only three cows). ‘We don’t even get to eat our own cheese because it’s so valuable,’ ” says Jackson, who started making cheese after she and her husband bought their farm in 1972.

The magazine editors also recommended Jackson’s other cheeses: Goat in Grape Leaves and Sheep in Chestnut Leaves. For more information, go to www.sallyjacksoncheeses.com.

Broker’s Gin creator visits

One of the co-founders of Broker’s London Dry Gin will be in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene this week for a series of receptions to promote the award-winning spirit.

The gin recently won a gold medal at the 2004 International Review of Spirits with 94 points, more than any other gin. Also, it was named the 2003 Spirit of the Year in the gin category by Food and Wine magazine. (True foodies will remember “red meat and gin!” was always Julia Child’s answer when asked for her secret to a long life.)

Each bottle of Broker’s wears a bowler-shaped cap in honor of English stockbrokers, as will Andrew Dawson as he makes his appearances around the Inland Northwest. More information is available at www.brokersgin.com. Here’s the schedule of appearances:

Thursday: Italian Kitchen, 113 N. Bernard St., 4:30 to 6 p.m.; Brickwall Comedy Club, 110 E. Fourth Ave., 6 to 7:30 p.m.; and Marilyn’s on Monroe, 21 S. Monroe St., 8 to 10 p.m.

Friday: The Satellite Diner, 425 W. Sprague Ave., 4:30 to 6 p.m.; Spencer’s, 322 N. Spokane Falls Court, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and Bluz at the Bend, 2721 N. Market St., 8 to 10 p.m.

Saturday: Cricket’s, 424 E. Sherman Ave., 6 to 7:30 p.m.; and Brix, 317 Sherman Ave., 7:30 to 9 p.m., both in Coeur d’Alene.