La Fête du Fromage - Brebis du Larzac

The Causse du Larzac - Larzac Plateau - in the Aveyron in central France, is home to many sheep, many cheesemakers and many serious cheeses.
Roquefort AOC, Pérail du Larzac, Bleu des Causses and Laguiole AOC are all produced in this here, as is my most recent discovery, Brebis du Larzac.



This week I picked up this little wedge of Brebis du Larzac from a cheese vendor who comes down from the Aveyron from time to time to sell his cheese at the Olonzac market.

What a discovery!

Brebis du Larzac has a natural, moldy exterior and melt-in-your mouth texture that develops after 6-8 weeks of affinage in humid conditions on the farm.



Soft, floral and honey flavors tickle your tongue as you savor each bite of this meaty, richly textured cheese. It has an elegant, round aroma, full of herbs and grass, that reminded me of Italian Pecorino.

A glass of robust, Minervois red paired perfectly with Brebis du Larzac.



Next time, I'm buying a bigger piece! Pin It

La Fête du Fromage - Fouettard Claquemolle

(Update: This is actually called La Lauze. There was a bit of confusion with the cheese seller at the market)



Voilà! This week's cheese. Fouettard Claquemolle.

Quel nom!
Et quel fromage!

This is another gorgeous cheese from La Ferme de Roquecave, near Ferrals les Montagnes in the Montagne Noire. We tasted their chèvre in April on La Fête du Fromage's one year anniversary.

This is an unpasteurized goat's milk cheese that is as fermier as you can get.

It had a seductive, sweet, grassy meadow aroma and a mild flavor that was a delicious mix of mushroom and yeast. You just knew this cheese was perfectly ripe! And the flavor wasn't overly goaty, which I found appealing.

The edible exterior was firm with a chalky texture, and as soon as the knife sliced into the cheese, its creamy center oozed out onto the plate. (I'm drooling at the memory)

All in all, Fouettard Claquemolle was an exquisite cheese. I just wish I had asked where that name came from...

A fouettard is a whip but what does claquemolle mean? Can anyone help?

We spread it on some fresh bread and drank some local, Minervois red with it, which seemed to be a perfect match.

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Photo du Jour - A View Across The Canal

A view across the Canal du Midi of the château at Argens Minervois. Pin It

Daily Photo

A tranquil spot on the Canal du Midi between Homps and Argens Minervois. Pin It