Wine Tasting and Cooking Demo Event: Recipe 1

First of all, we want to say thank you to everyone who came out for our Wine Tasting & Cooking Demo event on Thursday, December 10th. It was a fun night and we were so thankful you could join us!

As promised, we will be posting each recipe from the event over the course of the next week. So, whether or not you were able to make it out to the event, you can still enjoy the scrumptious appetizers we had by making them for your next party or gathering.

Moroccan Samosas:

The Wine Tasting & Cooking Demo event recipes will continue to be posted here on our Blog, Facebook and Twitter page throughout the week of December 14th. You can also sign up for our e-newsletter by clicking here and we will be sending these recipes via email as well.

(Our e-newsletter is a combined letter with our sister company, Breezy Hill Nursery.)

Questions? Leave us a comment or email us at info@hillcountrymarket.net.

Thanks for Following!

 

California Dreaming: August Cheese and Wine of the Month

With all the sunny weather we’ve had lately, it makes all of us Wisconsinites feel like we’re in California. We’ve been enjoying lovely warm and sunny weather, delicious summertime foods and fresh produce, palm trees…ok, maybe not palm trees. But still, it’s been an uplifting week of weather. So, it’s only natural that we picked our cheese and wine of the month to fit the Californian mood.

(And don’t worry. While this cheese is pretty great, we all know that Wisconsin cheese is still king.)

Cheese of the Month:

Vella Cheese Co. Dry Monterey Jack Cheese

Vella’s award-winning Dry Monterey Jack Cheese is made like a fresh Monterey Jack and aged another 7-10 months. This balanced and mild cheese is suitable for a variety of uses and pairs well with both red and white wines (however, we’d like to recommend a delicious Pinot Noir). With a firm texture, pale yellow coloring and a sweet nutty flavor, it’s perfect for shredding over pasta or tacos or slicing up for a fantastic grilled cheese sandwich. Of course, it also makes for a great eating cheese with a glass of wine.

Wine of the Month:

Pennywise, Pinot Noir, 2012

This deep ruby-hued wine offers rich aromas of rose petal, fresh-baked blueberry pie, wild cherry and toasted cedar. At first taste, a bit of tartness, which then mellows out to the taste of vanilla, French oak, wild huckleberry and toasted marshmallow. Ultimately, this wine wraps up with a playful balance of the flavors. Pennywise Pinot Noir’s rich flavor is perfect for winding down on a summer evening. Our recommendation: Pair with a Dry Monterey Jack grilled cheese sandwich topped with fruit preserves.

Pick up our cheese and wine of the month and enjoy them for yourself! After all, now is the time to relax in the sun on your patio and chill out, man.

*Please drink Wine of the Month responsibly.

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Love cheese? Then don’t miss our FREE Cheese Tasting on Saturday, August 8th from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm! Sample cheese from around the world that can be found in our great selection of cheeses at HCM. Discover something new so you can impress your guests at your next party with a fantastic and classy cheese plate.

Thanks for Following!

July Cheese and Wine of the Month

The summer weather is here and now it’s the perfect time to indulge in the bold and decadent flavors of the season. Enjoy great food with friends and family and make this summer one of your finest. We’ve chosen this month’s cheese and wine with the intent of spoiling you. So take a look and then stop in to get them and enjoy with loved ones.

Cheese of the Month:

Saint André Triple Creme Soft-Ripened Cheese

If summer is the perfect time to indulge in bold, rich flavors then Saint André Triple Creme does not disappoint. This French cheese, made from pasteurized cow’s milk, offers a deliciously buttery taste. If you’re looking to treat yourself this summer, this is one cheese you’ll want to have on your plate. Just listen to this dreamy description from Ile De France,

“As dense as pure butter and with the richest of flavors, the tongue-pleasing salty tang derives from the ocean air blowing through the pâturages of the Normandy coast. Produced in the shadow of the mystical island of Mont Saint-Michel, St. André cheese is just as breathtaking as the landscape of the surrounding Cotentin Peninsula” (Ile De France, St. André, www.iledefrancecheese.com).

In other words, yum. Be sure to pick up Saint André Triple Creme today.

Wine of the Month:

Château Grande Cassagne Rosé

This Rosé, originating from France, will make a great addition to your summer table. Rosé wines are ideal to have on hand in the summer as you enjoy a variety of foods, often all at once. Maybe you’re having steak, seafood and salad at your next house party, so grabbing a delicious Rosé to keep the palate nice and balanced is a no-brainer. Adding a fruit bowl to that dinner? Try also adding some fruit such as raspberries, strawberries or orange to your Rosé to give it just the right touch. Château Grande Cassagne Rosé boasts tangy cherry and blood orange flavors with hints of spice. Just the right flavors to match the feeling of summer.

*Please drink wine of the month responsibly. 

Thanks for Following!

May Cheese and Wine of the Month

The weather is certainly warming up and we’re about to jump into summer, which means more time with friends and family to enjoy the outdoors and great food. If you’re looking for some delicious picks to bring to your next party, cookout, or just to enjoy on your patio, (warm sunshine, a cat or dog around, a candle lit, a bottle of wine and a delicious cheese to pair. Man, we love summer!), give our May cheese and wine of the month a try. Both this month’s cheese and wine have hints of the sea, which are sure to remind you of being on a beach far, far away.

May Cheese of the Month:

SeaHive, by Beehive Cheese Co.

This award-winning cheese is true to its name. Hand-rubbed with honey and sea salt, this delicious treat of a cheese is one you’re sure to enjoy. SeaHive’s flavors are well-balanced and made from the milk of Jersey cows in Northern Utah. Enjoy this smooth, creamy cheese with hoppy ales or a fruity white wine. SeaHive is now available in our cheese section.

May Wine of the Month:

SeaGlass Riesling 2012

SeaGlass Riesling is deliciously balanced with sweet fruit flavors and floral aromas. This soft Riesling features hints of peach, pear and honey. Enjoy this west coast wine with seafood such as lobster and smoked salmon. It can also be paired well with spicy Asian dishes or ribs, as well as blue cheese. You can find SeaGlass Riesling in our wine section.

These delicious picks of the month are available in-store now. Bring them home to enjoy with friends and family or as you relax after work.

Please drink wine of the month responsibly.

Thanks for following!

April Cheese & Wine of the Month

With the weather quickly warming up, we think it’s time for your food to as well. This month, we’ve selected a cheese and wine with warm coloring, flavors and excellent quality. Take a look and inspire your taste buds this April.

This month’s cheese pick is from Moondarra Cheese. Moondarra is an Australian based company known for quality, fresh ingredients and innovative flavored cheeses. Their honey and pistachio cheese is no exception. This quality cheese is rolled in honey and covered in pistachio. With a smooth, creamy texture, it’s the perfect spreadable cheese for a party or gathering.

Moondarra Honey & Pistachio Cheese

Looking for a spin on traditional wine? Try our wine of the month, Sweet Pea Apple Wine. This wine is a refreshing detour from traditional grape wines. With the fresh taste of Washington apples, natural peach and hints of blackberries and strawberries, Sweet Pea features a crisp and clean finish, similar to a Riesling. It’s the perfect kick-off to spring and the upcoming summer. Grab this light and fruity wine, some friends, and enjoy a relaxing evening on the patio.

Sweet Pea Apple Wine:

Thanks for following and be sure to pick up our cheese and wine of the month the next time you shop at HCM!

Events on the Hill: April – June Calendar of Events Available!

Our calendar of events for the months of April – June is now available! Take a look and find an exciting event at Hill Country Market or at the other businesses that share our location, such as: WildRoots Salon & Studio, Turning Leaf Acupuncture, and our sister company, Breezy Hill Nursery. We’d love to have you join us!

Click the image to see the calendar in full size.

If an event asks you to pre-register, please do so as some events have limited space or require extra preparation to ensure that there are supplies/food/etc. available for you when you attend. Thank you.

(The calendar of events is also available in-store at the register).

See you at HCM!

Reminder: HCM’s Monthly Wine Tasting Tomorrow!

There’s still time to sign up for our popular monthly wine tasting. Enjoy an evening out, relax, taste wines from Wisconsin, and enjoy delectable appetizers created by our kitchen. We’d love to have you join us!

Bring a friend, (or a few), and come out to the market!

Wine tasting with appetizers: Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. Event is $15/person. You’ll also receive a coupon for $5 off in the store for the evening. Call 262.537.4867 to sign up. *Must be 21 or older to attend.

We hope to see you there!

March Cheese and Wine of the Month

We’ve finally made it to March, which means spring weather will soon be on it’s way! In preparation for the warmer weather and flavors of spring, we’ve chosen a tastefully fruity combination for our cheese and wine of the month. You won’t want to miss these delicious flavors.

March Cheese of the Month: 

Clawson, Sunburst, White Stilton with Dried Apricots

This tasty, mild, White Stilton cheese is coupled with sweet pieces of dried apricots. The combination creates a delightful sweetness which makes this an ideal dessert cheese.

Sunburst is made in England and is created with milk from local farms.

Pairing Sunburst with a favorite white wine is an ideal way to relax at the end of the day.

March Wine of the Month:

Arona, Sauvignon Blanc

With hints of passion fruit, citrus, and pineapple, this New Zealand wine is sure to delight. It’s a well-balanced wine that you can enjoy with seafood or chicken dishes as well as salads and appetizers. Arona’s unique and complex flavors have made this a popularly known wine that is great for a quiet night on the patio or to share at a party or gathering.

Arona is also a certified sustainable wine.

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Stop in today and get these wonderful flavors to enjoy and remind you of the coming spring season!

You can find our cheese and wine of the month in-store. Just look for the wine of the month and cheese of the month labels or ask an employee the next time you’re in.

Thanks for following!

February Cheese and Wine of the Month

It’s certainly February with frigid temps and snow storms. Luckily, here in Wisconsin, we know the way to enjoy these rough wintry days. Enjoying a tasty cheese and great bottle of wine is one of our favorite ways to relax in the winter. So, here is Hill Country Market’s pick of cheese and wine for February to help with the winter blues.

February Cheese of the Month:

Cypress Grove Purple Haze

If you’re looking for a unique spin on cheese, look no further than Cypress Grove’s Purple Haze cheese. Purple Haze combines flavors of lavender and wild fennel pollen. This award-winning goat cheese packs a flavorful punch and is a delicious addition to a fresh salad with berries and toasted pecans. It’s also a great one to experiment with pairing options and have fun using it to develop unique culinary creations.

February Wine of the Month:

Aquinas Pinot Noir

This well-balanced Pinot Noir is sure to become a favorite. Aquinas aptly describes their Pinot Noir as having, “aromas of cherry reduction, strawberry, vanilla and subtle clove notes. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine is full of fresh cranberry flavors with intricate notes of raspberry tart and toasted marshmallow,” (www.aquinasnapavalley.com). In other words, this Pinot Noir is pretty much delicious. It’s also a great wine to serve with a variety of dishes. To enjoy some great pairing flavor, try it with dishes that involve fennel, mushroom, fresh veggies, or goat cheese.

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You can find this month’s cheese and wine in-store. Simply look for the wine of the month and cheese of the month labels or feel free to ask one of our employees to point them out.

We hope you are able to take a moment to enjoy a great wine and cheese to scare off any of those winter blues and warm up with some delicious flavor!

Wine Tasting: Thursday, December 18

Join us for HCM’s monthly wine tasting! This month’s wine theme is Winter Holiday Wine. We’ll be sampling delicious wine that will make a great addition to any of your upcoming holiday celebrations. At each wine tasting, our chef creates fantastic appetizers for you to enjoy.

Make it a night out with friends or a date night. When you attend the tasting, you’ll receive a $5 Off coupon to use in Hill Country Market for the evening.

Sign up with a friend or two, (or three, or four), and everyone in your group will receive $5 off the tasting fee.

Come enjoy great wine, appetizers, and holiday cheer!

 

To sign up for this event, stop in or call 262.537.4867.

Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.