Many of us know that Wisconsin's artisan cheeses have become hot numbers in tonier cheese stores on the east and west coasts. But who would have guessed that our local cheese heroes are now a tourist destination for coasties?
Last Sunday's New York Times' spring Travel supplement featured Christine Muhlke's smart report on Driftless area cheese makers, including details on how to visit them.
Muhlke praised cheese makers that Madisonians know well -- Bleu Mont, Fantome, Carr Valley, Uplands, Cedar Grove, Hook's -- and perhaps not so well with the newish Hidden Springs Creamery.
For any coastie visitors, she plugged Madison standbys: the Mansion Hill Inn and The Edgewater for accommodations, L'Etoile's "stellar" cheese course for dining, and Fromagination and the Saturday Farmers Market as good spots to buy cheese.
Muhlke's praise for "The piece was very well done," he says. Heather Porter Engwall of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing board was even happier, saying, "It's exhilarating to witness the specialty cheese renaissance in Wisconsin" being feted in The New York Times.
But as a tourist destination? Hmmm. You gotta wonder. Still, if The New York Times says so....
