His name: Andy Hatch
His game: Discussing a complex flavor profile, the aging process, and the role of tannins... but in a cheese wheel instead of a wine glass: Andy is a Cheese maker, dairy expert, and die-hard farm boy at Uplands Cheese in Wisconsin.
What three things are you most passionate about?
"My family, my farm, and my cows."
What three words describe you best?
"Shy, serious and skinny."
What is your favorite place in the world?
"Our family cabin up north."
What’s one quirky thing about you that most people don’t know?
"I've spent thousands of hours of my life watching soccer and I plan to keep the pace."
What’s your nightcap of choice?
"Talisker 10-year-old Scotch"
What’s your ultimate comfort food?
"Mom's lasagna."
You’re sipping on a glass of your favorite wine---what's playing on your iPod?
"Old-time country."
If wine’s not in your glass, what is?
"Cider we make here on the farm."
What's your favorite wine-drinking experience or memory?
"Barrel tasting with my father at some of the great Burgundian houses."
What are some general guidelines for pairing wine and cheese?
Be wary of tannins, especially with aged cheeses.