Describing the absolute ‘perfect place’ on this earth, Biblical scribes wrote the phrase “land of milk and honey”. To me this is such a beautiful visual… a collaboration of the purest and simplest offerings. Each are drawn from the grasses and the flowers and transformed, by beast and by insect, into an exquisite expression. And each is silently linked to the other. The bees pollinate the flowers, and the plants feed the livestock.

That brings us to the current day marriage of the two. Cheese and honey are natural partners.

Classic to the cheeseboard, honey tones down blues with just enough sweetness to mellow the spice; it subdues and adds a lovely contrast to the tang of soft goat cheeses; and it enhances the full notes of more pungent and full-bodied cheeses. Honeycomb offers yet another dimension in this classic duo with it’s delightful crunchy texture and lovey eye appeal.

So how does the tiny bee …the true purveyor… go about creating this liquid treasure?  For this information we turn to the experts at Rosewood Estates Winery in Beamsville, Ontario.

Q: How do bees make honey?

A: Bees gather nectar from nectar producing plants. As they bring this back to the hive, an enzyme begins the transformation process. After storing, they heat the hive using their body heat This causes the water content to evaporate and thicken the honey. Once ripe, the bees seal each honeycomb cell with a thin layer of beeswax.

Q: How many bees live in one hive?

A: On average, in the middle of the summer, anywhere between 50,000 to 125,000 bees

Q: How long does a Queen bee live? What about a worker bee?

A: A Queen bee can live for up to 5 years. During the summer, a female worker bee typically lives for 7-8 weeks.

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We are delighted to offer Rosewood Honey at La Jolie!…and now that August is here, we are anxiously anticipating our cut of the 2018 honeycomb harvest.

In the meantime… why not check out the *”Bee Experience and Tour” at Rosewood Winery… a truly unique and a magical finale to summer!

(*scroll link below to make reservations)

https://www.rosewoodwine.com/tours-tastings/