This small, round, white goat’s milk cheese is named after the Rove breed of goats, believed to be one of the oldest breeds of goats in France.  It is sold when it is only 2-3 days old.  It is prized because the Rove goats produce a much smaller amount of milk than do other breeds.  The milk is full of the flavors of wild herbs and flowers.  It pairs well with a light sancerre or Sauvignon Blanc.

If you really love goat cheese and want to try something that is unique and delicious, choose Kiku from Goats Leap Cheeses (www.goatsleap.com) in St. Helena, California.  This round of fresh pasteurized goat’s milk cheese is wrapped in a fig leaf that has been soaked in Sauvignon Blanc. It is aged for about 3 weeks.  Eat the fig leaf along with the cheese.  This cheese is seasonal and thus a bit rare.  However, now is the season so find it if you can.   I buy Kiku at the St. Helena farmers market and at Dean & Deluca in Napa Valley.

This is a goat’s milk cheese from the Rhone-Alpes and Provence regions of France.  The name of this cheese is from the ancient language, Langue d’Oc, and means spicy.  The goats of this mountainous region feed on the grass, shrubs, herbs and leaves of trees in this region.  Their milk forms the basis for the flavors in this cheese.  The flavor is very fresh and you can detect traces of the grasses and herbs of the region.  Serve with a nice Sauvignon Blanc. 

Burrata is an Italian cheese made from fresh mozzarella and cream. It is shaped like a ball. The inside is soft and creamy and the outside is wrapped in stretched sheets of mozzarella. Burrata has a very fresh flavor. It was originally made in Southern Italy from buffalo milk. Today, most burrata is made from cow’s milk. I use this unique cheese in salad dishes – it is excellent, of course, with fresh, ripe tomatoes and capers, with a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt and pepper. But I also really like it with fresh fava beans, a hint of Meyer lemon zest, olive oil, sea salt and pepper. It is highly perishable and must be used within a few days of purchase. Burrata is available locally from A.G. Ferrari foods and Dean & Deluca. Check your favorite cheese shop, too!