If you have a passion for cheese and wine (and really, who doesn’t?) you may want to plan a trip to Villa Appalaccia Winery in Floyd on Oct. 11 or 12 for a unique tasting event.

The winery will add a sampling of 15 cheeses for a special wine tasting that weekend, including a comparison of Virginia-made Tallegio cheese to its Italian counterpart.

The cheese samples will range from soft to firm to dry, and a different wine will be paired with each. As the winery’s Web site points out, most wine and cheese tastings feature cheeses commonly found in the grocery store, but sampling fresh-made artisian cheese makes this a special event.

I know that while I am fond of my everyday cheeses (even on a weight-loss program I still find ways to enjoy a little muenster and smoked mozzarella) it would be great to sample something unusual, learn how cheese is made, and how it pairs with various wines.

The tasting costs $15 per person. Reservations are required by Oct. 6 so the winery will have the right amount of cheese for each taster. Click here to learn more.

Now, if you prefer your cheese melted on top of bread or a tasty pizza (and really, who doesn’t?) then Villa Appalaccia can hook you up the following weekend, Oct. 18 and 19, with focaccia and pizzas baked in its two brick ovens. See the Web site for directions and more details.