Tete de Moine

Size

Cistercian monks have made Tete de Moine at the Abbey of Bellelay in the Bernese Jura since the twelfth century. This tradition has been carried on by Anouck & Mac-Andre Girardin of Fromagerie de la Suze. Their dairy is the result of a merger of two local fromageries - Fromagerie de Courgemont et Fromagerie de Courtelary, each with an over 100 year old tradition of production in their respective villages - and now receives milk from eighteen local farms. After 75 days' maturation on spruce boards, we have our Tete de Moine brought to our maturation caves in the Cote Roannaise, where they see up to 105 days further maturation.

The nutty, sweet, and gently ham-like notes of Tete de Moine are best enjoyed with a 'Girolle', which shaves rosettes of thinly sliced cheese off of the wheel, typically served as an apertif in France. Pair it with a similarly light Roussette or Jacquere from the Savoie.