A Cheesy 2012

I eat like a (vegetarian) bird, run at least 6 miles a day, sock money away into retirement savings, overtip at restaurants, and smile at strangers, so I allow myself to make rather frivlous resolutions come January 1. Last year's was to always have polish on my fingernails. (Society-bettering my resolutions are not.) This year's is to develop and implement a cheese review process.

From top to bottom: Roomano, Roncal, Saintalin, and Casatica di Bufala on a Crate and Barrel slate accompanied by walnuts and Mitica sunflower honey

It just so happens that we stayed in on New Year's Eve with a plate of selections from Murray's, so while technically these varieties were consumed in 2011 (I was in bed well before midnight), I'm getting a jump on this year's resolution:
Because I only shop at stores that allow customers to sample cheese before buying it, it's a rare day that I end up taking home a cheese I dislike. (You won't see any tasting notes on Truffle Tremor from this girl. Goat cheese won't grace my cheese slate often, either.) Therefore, my rating scale is meant to distinguish the cheeses I merely liked from the ones I absolutely adored.

Resolutions are made to be broken, but it's safe to say that I'll stick to my plan of consuming and reviewing many, many types of cheese in 2012.