The picturesque village of Berkswell in the central county of Warwickshire,
England is named for the Saxon chief, Bercul. In the eighth century, Bercul
converted to Christianity and was baptized in village's ancient well and thus
the village became known as Bercul's Well. Not only is Warwickshire known to be
the birthplace of William Shakespeare, but it is also where the Fletcher family
makes their highly sought-after cheese at their Elizab...
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Berkswell
The picturesque village of Berkswell in the central county of Warwickshire,
England is named for the Saxon chief, Bercul. In the eighth century, Bercul
converted to Christianity and was baptized in village's ancient well and thus
the village became known as Bercul's Well. Not only is Warwickshire known to be
the birthplace of William Shakespeare, but it is also where the Fletcher family
makes their highly sought-after cheese at their Elizabethan farmhouse, Ram Hall.
When former dairy
farmer Steven Fletcher first dipped his hand in the cheesemaking trade, he made
Berkswell -- his raw sheep's milk cheese -- using a Caerphilly recipe. However,
with Fletcher's careful cultivation and commitment, Berkswell eventually
developed a unique character of its own. Today, the dense and rich cheese is
more like a very delicate Pecorino or Manchego than the ancient Welsh cheese.
Depending on the season -- Berkswell is made between February and October -- the
cheese can be milky and nutty with sweet hints of caramel or it can be intensely
tangy and fruity with surprising notes of pineapple.
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| Farm/Company: | Ram Hall |
|
| Cheesemaker: | Stephen Fletcher & Linda Dutch |
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| Proprietor: | |
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| Affineur: | Neal's Yard Dairy |
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| City,
State: | |
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| Region: | Berkswell, West Midlands |
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| Country: | England |
|
| Milk: | Raw sheep |
|
| Rennet: | Vegetarian |
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| Rind: | Plasticoat |
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| Texture: | Hard |
|
| Aging: | 6-9 months |
|
| Size(s): | 8 pound |
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