TRACY  -   October is American Cheese Month and California's dairy farmers are renaming the state "Cheese and Wine Country" in recognition of the award-winning cheesemaking heritage that grew alongside its wine industry and pairing the state's most noteworthy specialties formally together in a new way.

While California is widely known for its winemaking roots, its history as a top cheesemaker is just as strong. The state's rich cheese history started 250 years ago when Friar Junipero Serra introduced cheesemaking to the missions in 1769. Today, California is the nation's number one producer of fluid milk, butter, ice cream and Hispanic-style cheeses and is the second largest producer of all cheese.

"Cheese and wine are a match made perfect in California," said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications, California Milk Advisory Board/Real California Milk. "Like California wines, Real California Milk cheeses are also made with pride by local producers and makers. Starting with the milk produced by our state's family-run dairy farms, it is then made into more than 250 varieties and styles of delicious cheeses ideal for pairing with California wines."

It's easy to bring a taste of California Cheese & Wine Country home, no matter your location with these expert tips to entertain family and friends with some interactive fun and easy sophistication:

• Personali-cheese Quiz: Start with this fun quiz to determine your cheese personality profile and then choose cheeses that fit your individual "personali-cheese". Find out if you are a Particular Purist, Easygoing Enthusiast, Adventurous Advocate, Zesty Zealot or have a split personality?
• Cheese Carving 101: Common kitchen tools and a block of cheese are all that's really needed to host a one-of-a-kind party activity that guests will not only enjoy but talk about for weeks to come.
• California Cheese & Wine Pairing Tips: Everything you need to know to bring these two delicious foods together as satisfying companions.

Find California cheeses and dairy products at realcaliforniamilk.com/product-locator or look for the Real California Milk seal, which means the products are made with 100% milk from California's dairy farm families, on products at retailers throughout the U.S.