Cheese

The fundamental difference is sourcing and handling. igourmet works directly with artisan and farmhouse producers — creameries, cooperatives, and affineurs whose cheeses are made in small quantities, aged with genuine expertise, and simply not available through mass-market retail channels. Every cheese is cut fresh to order rather than pre-portioned and vacuum-sealed weeks in advance, and every perishable order ships in temperature-controlled packaging to ensure it arrives in the same condition it left the creamery. The result is cheese that tastes the way it is meant to taste — alive, expressive, and genuinely distinct from one producer to the next.

All cheese orders ship via expedited service in igourmet's FreshWave temperature-controlled packaging — insulated Tempguard liners made from 100% pre-consumer recycled material, non-toxic frozen gel packs, and recycled kraft fill — to ensure safe, fresh delivery in optimal condition. In warmer months, dry ice may be added for additional protection. Standard ground shipping is not available for cheese because maintaining the cold chain throughout transit is essential to quality. Full details are available on igourmet's shipping information page.

Refrigerate cheese immediately upon arrival and bring it to room temperature for 30–60 minutes before serving — this is when artisan cheese is most expressive and its flavors most fully developed. Once cut, wrap each piece in cheese storage bags rather than plastic wrap or foil. Cheese storage bags are designed specifically for artisan cheese: they maintain the right balance of airflow and humidity to keep the paste and rind in ideal condition, preserving flavor and texture for one to three weeks after opening. Store each variety separately to prevent flavors from transferring between strong and delicate styles.

For a cheese board served as an appetizer or alongside other food, plan for two to three ounces of cheese per person. For a more substantial cheese-focused spread — where cheese is the centrepiece rather than a supporting element — three to five ounces per person is a better guide. If you are ordering a selection of three to five different styles, a half-pound cut of each provides enough for four to six people to taste each cheese comfortably without running short. igourmet's product pages list approximate serving sizes for each cut, and most individual cheeses are available in multiple size options to make it easy to order the right amount for your occasion.

The pairing depends on the wine style. Champagne and sparkling wines pair beautifully with creamy, delicate cheeses — triple crème styles, fresh chèvre, and mild bloomy rinds. Chardonnay and white Burgundy complement buttery, semi-firm styles like Gruyère and Comté. Cabernet Sauvignon and full-bodied reds work best alongside aged firm cheeses — vintage Cheddar, aged Manchego, and firm Italian styles like Asiago or aged Gouda. Blue cheeses are famously paired with sweet wines including Sauternes, Port, and ice wine, where the saltiness of the blue is balanced by the wine's sweetness. igourmet's cheese and wine pairing guide covers every major wine style in detail, with specific cheese recommendations for each.

Pasteurized cheese is made from milk that has been heat-treated to eliminate pathogens before cheesemaking begins. Unpasteurized, or raw milk, cheese is made directly from fresh milk without heat treatment, which preserves a broader range of naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes that contribute complexity, depth of flavor, and regional character to the finished cheese. Many of the world's most celebrated cheeses — Parmigiano Reggiano, authentic Comté, raw milk Manchego, and numerous farmhouse British styles — are made from unpasteurized milk. In the United States, raw milk cheeses must be aged for a minimum of 60 days before sale. igourmet carries an extensive selection in the unpasteurized cheeses collection for those who want to explore this category.

Yes. igourmet ships directly to gift recipients throughout the United States, and a personalized gift message can be added at checkout at no additional charge. For a complete cheese gift — cheeses selected, packaged, and presented together — explore igourmet's cheese gift baskets and boxes collection, which includes options for every occasion, every recipient type, and every budget. For the gift that keeps arriving, igourmet's cheese subscription boxes deliver a new curated selection every month — an ideal choice for someone who loves discovering new cheeses rather than receiving the same thing twice.