Find Your Perfect Cheese

The fastest way to pick a cheese you will love is to start with the flavor you already reach for. Do you like things mild and creamy, sharp and aged, nutty, smoky, sweet and fruity, or a little spicy? Once you know that, the choice gets easy. This guide sorts a lineup of small-batch cheeses by taste preference, so you can match a wedge to your palate or to whoever you are shopping for.

The short version: for mild and creamy, go with Dill Havarti or fresh goat cheese. For a sharp, grown-up bite, a seven-year cheddar delivers. If you like nutty and savory, reach for an aged parmesan or rosemary-rubbed asiago. Smoky palates will want a bourbon-smoked gouda, sweet-and-fruity fans a wine-soaked or cranberry cheddar, and heat seekers a honey sriracha gouda. Every cheese below is in stock at Madeline's and made by a Wisconsin creamery or small producer.

If you like mild and creamy

Dill Havarti

Buttery, somewhat sweet Havarti folded with herbaceous dill, from Cheese Brothers in Wisconsin. It is about as approachable as cheese gets, soft and mellow with a fresh aromatic note. Pair it with salmon, fruit preserves, and a crisp white wine. $8.95.

LaClare Original Goat Cheese

If you like creamy with a gentle tang, this fresh goat cheese log is clean, milky, and delicate, finishing lightly sweet. It spreads on crackers, crumbles over salads, and stirs into warm pasta, so it is the flexible everyday pick. $8.

If you like sharp and aged

7 Year Aged White Cheddar

Seven years of aging give this Wisconsin cheddar a rich, sharp, slightly tangy bite and a granular, crumbly texture. This is the one for people who think most cheddar is too mild. Serve it in shards with cured meats, or pair it with a bold red or a hoppy beer. $16.

If you like nutty and savory

Sarvecchio Parmesan

A Wisconsin take on Italian parmesan, aged at least 20 months for a buttery, nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a pleasing grainy texture. Grate it over pasta and risotto, or shave it as a table cheese. The pick for a home cook. $10.

Asiago w/ Rosemary

A rich, nutty, fruity Italian-style cheese hand-rubbed with rosemary and olive oil, and a gold-medal winner at the World Championship Cheese Contest. The rosemary gives it a savory, aromatic lift that stands out on an antipasto board. $10.

If you like smoky

"Bluegrass" Bourbon Gouda

A gouda naturally smoked over a wood fire and made with real Kentucky bourbon, so it is creamy and smoky with hints of vanilla and caramel. Pair it with sausages and crusty bread, or melt it into a grilled sandwich. The pick for smoke and whiskey fans. $8.95.

If you like sweet and fruity

BellaVitano Merlot

A rich, creamy cheese that sits somewhere between cheddar and parmesan, soaked in Merlot for berry and plum notes. It is an easygoing table cheese with a fruity edge that makes it a natural for dessert boards and wine pairings. $10.

Cranberry Infused Cheddar

A mild, nutty white cheddar studded with real cranberries for a tart, fruity pop in every bite. It is a holiday-board favorite that also slices onto a turkey sandwich. Choose it if you like creamy cheese with bright fruit. $9.

If you like a little heat

Honey Sriracha Gouda

A gouda that balances sriracha heat against a honeyed sweetness, at a mild spice level so it is approachable. It melts beautifully into grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or over a burger for a sweet-and-spicy kick. $8.95.

If you want an easy spread for entertaining

Beer Cheddar Cheese Spread

When you want no slicing and no fuss, this handmade spread blends sharp cheddar with malty Wisconsin lager into a rich, savory dip. Serve it with pretzels, crackers, or fresh vegetables. The easiest crowd-pleaser here. Contains milk and wheat. $9.95.

At a glance

• Mild and creamy: Dill Havarti or LaClare Goat Cheese
• Sharp and aged: 7 Year Aged White Cheddar
• Nutty and savory: Sarvecchio Parmesan or Asiago w/ Rosemary
• Smoky: "Bluegrass" Bourbon Gouda
• Sweet and fruity: BellaVitano Merlot or Cranberry Cheddar
• A little heat: Honey Sriracha Gouda
• Easy spread: Beer Cheddar Cheese Spread

Frequently asked questions

What is a good cheese for someone who likes mild flavors?

Stick with soft, buttery cheeses that are not heavily aged. A Dill Havarti is mild and creamy with a gentle herb note, and a fresh goat cheese is milky and only lightly tangy. Both are easy to like and pair well with fruit and crackers.

How many cheeses should I put on a board?

A good rule is three to five cheeses for variety without overwhelming the board, choosing different textures and flavor intensities. A common combination is one mild and creamy, one sharp aged, one nutty or savory, and one sweet or fruity, so there is something for every guest.

How much cheese do I need per person?

For a cheese board served as an appetizer, plan on about two to three ounces of cheese per person. If the cheese is the main event, increase that to roughly four to six ounces per person and add bread, fruit, and accompaniments.

Which cheese is best for melting?

Younger, higher-moisture cheeses melt most smoothly. The Honey Sriracha Gouda and the Bourbon Gouda both melt well into grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or over burgers. A spreadable option like the Beer Cheddar Spread skips melting entirely and goes straight onto crackers.

How should I store and serve specialty cheese?

Keep cheese wrapped and refrigerated, and for the best flavor and texture, take it out about 30 to 60 minutes before serving so it comes to room temperature. Aged cheeses keep longer than fresh ones, so eat soft cheeses like goat cheese sooner.

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