Savoie cheeses
8 P.D.O. / P.G.I.* CHEESES TO TRY
Recognized by an AOP (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) or an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication), Savoy cheeses are the undisputed stars of any good meal. But are you sure you know them well?
- P.D.O. Abondance These 10 kg wheels with concave heels bear the same name as one of the valleys in Haute Savoie as well as a local breed of cows. They are made in the mountains of Haute-Savoie.
- P.D.O. Beaufort Beaufort wheels weigh around 40 kg and have concave heels. They are produced in the high mountains of Savoie: Tarentaise, Maurienne, Beaufortain and Val d'Arly.
- P.D.O Chevrotin This exclusively farmhouse cheese made from goat’s milk weighs around 300 g a piece. It is made in the mountains of Haute-Savoie as well as the Bauges mountain range in Savoie.
- P.G.I. Emmental de Savoie Each cylindrical, slightly convex wheel weighs around 75 kg and has a golden-coloured rind. It is made in Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
- P.D.O. Reblochon This creamy, cylindrical-shaped cheese weighs around 500 g a piece. It is made in Haute-Savoie and in Val d’Arly, in Savoie.
- P.D.O Tome des Bauges With a grey coloured, marked rind, each piece weighs between 1.1 kg and 1.4 kg. It is produced in the Bauges mountains.
- P.G.I. Tomme de Savoie The fat content of this cheese varies, and each one weighs between 1.2 kg and 2 kg. It is made in Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
- P.G.I. Raclette de Savoie This cheese is produced throughout the whole of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Its beautiful, smooth rind is yellowy-orange and each wheel weighs 6 kg.
* P.D.O. / P.G.I.: Protected Designation of Origin / Protected Geographical Indication
Two breeds of cows are native to our mountains: Abondance and Tarentaise.
The former is named after the valley they come from in Haute-Savoie.
They are very easy to spot with their mahogany coloured coats, white heads and patches over their eyes making them look like they are wearing glasses.
The latter comes from the Tarentaise valley in Savoie. These cows are hazel in colour with dark eyes, as if they were wearing make-up. In addition to their valley of origin, they can be found in Maurienne, Beaufortain, Les Bauges and even as far as Aravis.
While native to the Jura mountains, Montbéliarde cows can also be found here.
Alpine goats also come from Savoie and produce excellent quality milk. They are perfectly adapted to mountain breeding and suited to their habitat.
HOW TO PRODUCE THE PERFECT CHEESE BOARD
- Alternate the flavours: choose three to five Savoie cheeses and serve them in order from the mildest to the strongest.
- Vary the textures: soft, hard, creamy
- Display them with care: opt for a natural serving platter (made from wood, marble, slate or glass) rather than a metal one which may alter the flavour of the cheese.
- Add a sweet touch, by embellishing your platter with some grapes, fresh figs, dried fruit, chutney, or honey.
- Enhance the flavours, by carefully selecting which bread to serve with your cheese: farmhouse loaf, walnut bread, or crusty baguette.
- Jams, honey, beer, wine... Choose the best match for your Savoie PDO - PGI cheeses.
THE SAVOIE CHEESE ROUTE
Over 70 sites in Savoie Mont Blanc to visit!
What the dairy farmers, cooperatives, cheese producers, cheesemongers and mountain herders all have in common is their passion and drive to share the ins and outs of their work, their products and their lives with visitors.
On each site along the Savoie cheese route you can book a guided tour or look around freely, enjoy a meal on the farm or just a snack, visit local exhibitions and museums, try your hand at cheese making or milking, as well as book a guided hike around the various mountain sites. You’ll be sure to come away with a memorable experience!
DID YOU KNOW?
Every year you can come and taste Savoie cheese at the Fête des Fromages de Savoie fair!
Over the course of this fun-packed day you can enjoy a range of activities, events and encounters all about Savoie cheese.
