PLYMOUTH, Wis., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- No other snack pairs as perfectly with wine – or nothing at all – than cheese. New Sargento Tastings are specialty snack chunk cheeses that transform every day into a savored moment.

"Specialty cheeses are now accessible and conveniently located in the dairy aisle," said Chris McCarthy, director of marketing for the Sargento Consumer Products Division. "With Sargento Tastings, everyone can explore a variety of specialty cheeses from a name they know and trust. They are perfect for a casual get-together or a satisfying solo snack."

Sargento Tastings are cut from real block cheese and come in eight varieties to satisfy everybody's palate, every day. Some of the cheeses are familiar, while others are completely new. They are: Aged Wisconsin Cheddar, Aged Vermont White Cheddar, Bruschetta Jack, Fiesta Pepper Jack, Medium Asiago, Creamy Havarti, Parmentino™ and New Zealander™.

Carefully crafted into unique shapes and sizes, the cheeses are perfectly paired with favorite foods and wine. Try these pairing tips from Sargento Chef Ulrich Koberstein for a decadent, yet simple snack any day, any time:

Familiar

Aged Wisconsin Cheddar: The aged Wisconsin Cheddar is matured for 12 months to bring out its sharp, nutty flavors which work well with Granny Smith apple slices and roasted almonds.

Aged Vermont White Cheddar: This cheese is delicately ripened for 12 months to bring out its unique, matured taste. The flavor works well with roasted almonds or a glazed nut blend to complement its sharpness.

Twist on Familiar
Bruschetta Jack: The flavor of traditional Monterey Jack cheese is infused with tomato, basil, and garlic to deliver the unique taste of Bruschetta Jack. Cubed or sliced Bruschetta Jack will taste delicious atop a crostini.

Fiesta Pepper Jack: Four pepper varieties make up Fiesta Pepper Jack, including sweet chili, jalapeno, serrano and habanero. It pairs well with pineapple and seedless green and red grapes.

Familiar Adventure
Medium Asiago: This semi-hard cheese boasts deep, sharp and buttery notes with a firm texture. Spicy nuts and peppers delightfully pair with the cheese to bring out its smooth and nutty tones.

Creamy Havarti: Named after Havarthigaard, Denmark—the birthplace of Havarti—this creamy variety is made with extra cream for a more luxurious texture. It pairs well with dark rye bread or roasted peppers. 

New Adventure
Parmentino™: Parmesan is expertly blended with English Cheddar craftsmanship to create this variety that mixes full-bodied flavor with some tangy notes. It offers a remarkably delicious and savory experience, pairing well with figs, raisins and walnuts.

New Zealander™: The golden hue emanating from this cheese is attributed to cows' grass fed diets near Mount Egmont. The flavor is a bit nutty and complements oven baked pita crackers with sea salt or something sweeter like marmalade.

Sargento Tastings come in 3.25 to 3.95 ounce varieties for a suggested retail price of $2.69-$2.89 each. For more ideas and pairing suggestions, check out the Sargento Pinterest page Pinterest.com/sargentocheese/ or visit www.sargento.com/tastings for product information and availability.

About Sargento Foods Inc.
Sargento Foods Inc. has demonstrated its passion for cheese and cheese-based meal solutions for more than 60 years. Founded in 1953 in Plymouth, Sargento is a leading manufacturer, packager and marketer of natural shredded, sliced and snack cheeses, cheese appetizers, ingredients, sauces and other culinary solutions. Sargento is owned and operated by the Gentine family, and has net sales of more than $1 billion. For more information, please visit www.sargento.com.

For more information:
Kerry Robinson
GolinHarris
312-729-4141
[email protected]

SOURCE Sargento Foods Inc.