Ledyard, from Meadowood Farms in Cazenovia, New York, is a soft-ripened sheep's milk cheese styled after Robiola. It's hand-wrapped in grape leaves that have been soaked in deep purple - a wheat beer infused with Madison County concord grapes.

I had the pleasure of meeting Veronica Pedraza, the cheese maker, and seized the opportunity to nag her about sending me this beauty to paint. The portrait was a fun challenge, as the leaves added a Baroque element that I embraceds fully. The cheese itself started to ooz almost instantly so I had to work quickly. Then I willed myself to eat it as slowly as I could.

Country of Origin: USA, New York

Availability: sold