Ola! Happy August 16! (Did you know that it apparently National Rum Day?? What do we even need such a day for?? – if you happen to be celebrating it, then have a good one!)
I am home from Europe and am going to talk about some of my fun soon, but today I wanted to look at 4 out of the 5 cheese labels that can be found in the Taste of Cheese August Taster, because I feel like it! The labels in the pictures above are from Garrotxa De Cal Bardines, Allegretto, Beemster Vlaskaas, and Laguiole AOC, respectively. I thought it was so interesting to look at the way that dairies brand their cheeses, and how you can analyze whether the label in some way relates to what kind of cheese it is!
Lets take a look at these 4 labels before I give you the deeeeets on the cheese!
#1: Garrotxa de cal Bardines – This is such a beautiful design for a label! It is individual and different, even when compared to the three beside it. It is like a water colour painting with someone’s writing and doodles drawn over it. Amazing! It’s as though the designer thought, what is the most simple and natural, visual way to express this cheese? And I really think that they found it! The colour is bold and simple and the “graphic” definitely has a rustic, old-school appeal and is very individualistic and even a bit whimsical!
#2: Allegretto – This label is much more neutral but because of the cute, dopey little sheep drawing it has a whimsical sense of humour to it! The texture on the label matches that of the rind of the cheese and makes it very approachable. This label definitely belongs on a humble, down-to-earth, local type of cheese.
#3: Beemster Vlaskaas – Now this is a different story all together. The label for Vlaskaas is corporate. It’s clean, its the big cheese (but for serious.. Beemster Vlaskaas is a biggggg wheel of cheese!) But as often happens with some cheese label designs, there’s alot going on here. Maybe a bit too much. The colour is exciting and the brand name, Beemster, is big. Unfortunately, I think the rest sorta gets lost in the mix, but because I know that Beemster is a reputable brand, it certainly doesnt deter me from eating it!
#4: Laguiole AOC: This is a fantastic example of “less-is-more.” The Laguiole AOC label is simple and no BS… It’s got the name, with AOC included so you know its good stuff, a cow so you know what animal pumped out the milk for this cheese, and “Lait Cru” to tell you that the milk is unpasteurized. And that’s that. no froof, frills or fancy-pants pictures, just what you need to know in as few words as possible. It does just that while still being attractive, so I say SUCCESS!
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So, do these labels match the cheeses?? I say absolutely! The Garrotxa is a rustic, Spanish goat cheese that has big flavour and personality, just like it’s free-wheeling label. The Allegretto is a sweet, fun, easygoing cheese that matches its funny, whimsical label perfectly. Beemster Vlaskaas is a big cheese with unbelievable flavour and execution that should be expected from a brand like Beemster, and the “Corporate” style design of the label fits pretty well. Laguiole AOC’s label fits like a glove. This no-nonsense label goes perfectly with the farmhouse-style big flavoured cheese.
My personal fave is the Garrotxa label. It’s bold, unique style is different and matches to the cheese it covers perfectly!!
What do you think?
Want to try them?? Check’em out at tasteofcheese.ca!
Till Next Time…. Adios!
