Is this Australia’s best Tomme?
Bellarine Tomme is a hard mountain-style cheese made by Drysdale Cheeses.
Corinne and Peter Blacket established Drysdale Cheeses in Drysdale on the Bellarine Peninsula in 2005. Coming from careers as pharmacists, they were both ideally placed to appreciate the scientific approach to cheesemaking.
Whilst it was a career change that surprised many in the mid-noughties, the couple have fully embraced their new lifestyle on their farm.
A farmhouse life
The farm they live on is also home to a small herd of Saanen goats. On it, they milk the goats themselves and handmake a small range of fine goat’s milk cheeses in their small onsite dairy. Moreover, their offerings include fresh cheeses like goat’s curd and ricotta as well as some blue cheeses and hard cheeses.
This particular semi-hard cheese is inspired by the classic French tommes from Savoie. Overall, it has a clean ivory pâte and has a surprisingly mild fresh aroma. On the palate, a subtle goaty tang is augmented by herbaceous, savoury notes.
How to pair Bellarine Tomme
Enjoy with quince paste and crackers! And wash it all down with a glass of Champagne.
