La Fête du Fromage - Five Fabulous French Fromages

Choosing just five French cheeses out of the multitude that I've tasted over the last couple of years was an interesting task. Especially since so many of my favorites aren't available outside of France. But I thought that if I narrowed down the choice to just five superb French cheeses that are all available in the States, maybe it would inspire some of you to put together a cheese platter to serve family and friends during the holidays.

One of the best things about a cheese platter is there's no cooking involved. At this time of year, you've got to love that! After you've purchased a varied selection, it just takes a bit of arranging on plates or platters and adorning with some fruit, possibly some nuts, and sliced French bread or crackers.

I think a cheese platter is the perfect thing to take the edge off if you're throwing une petite fête that will carry on until the wee hours. After the nibbles have been reduced to crumbs, put out a cheese platter and your guests will be revived and ready to keep the party going!


1) Bleu d'Auvergne
Buttery and smoky tasting. A delicious bleu!



2) Comté
No wonder this one is a favorite here in France. Its distinctive nutty and caramelized flavor is so satisfying.



3) Brie de Nangis
Smooth and buttery and an absolutely delectable member of the brie family.



4) Pouligny Saint-Pierre
This little pyramide is sublime!



5) Brin d'Amour or Fleur de Maquis
Seductive and soft on the inside. Spicy and herby on the outside.



These cheeses are all available online through my Amazon Store, Murray's Cheese, fromages.com and artisanalcheese.com

Bonnes Fêtes! Pin It

La Fête du Fromage - Brie de Nangis

When I go shopping and want to pick up some cheese to have around the house to nibble on, Brie is not one that I usually go for. I like Brie just fine, but living in the land of hundreds, some say thousands, of varieties of delicious cheese, I tend to go for more something a bit more interesting.

Then I spotted a big wheel of Brie de Nangis on offer at the cheese counter of our little local grocery store.
Hmmm...a Brie I've never seen before. How is that possible?


This is a delectable cheese!
It is lush with the taste of sweet creamy butter, and is packed with rich, but not too rich, mushroom flavors. It has a smooth, luscious texture and a pleasant, chewy mouthfeel that is wonderful with a crispy baguette.

Originally from the town of Nangis in the Seine-et-Marne département (home of Disneyland Paris, the Château de Fountainbleau, Brie de Melun and Brie de Meaux), this unpasteurized cow's milk cheese almost disappeared into obscurity until a lone artisan producer revived its production.

Brie de Nangis is charming and friendly and oh-so-easy to fall in love with.
Please try it. I promise you won't be disappointed!


A glass of fruity Beaujolais or crisp, summery Sauvignon Blanc would pair well with this cheese. Pin It