The Cheese Lady Rochester,MI

I may be back in Michigan but I'm still thinking about these fine French Fromageries! What I particularly love about them was that the store itself is chilled to a low temperature, allowing the cheeses to be on full display, like a cornucopia of delights, arranged perfectly - and just slightly out of reach!

Located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, Barthélemy is a cheese lover's dream and rumored to the oldest cheese shop in Paris. Now owned by Fromagerie Griffon this small but perfectly formed, exquisitely beautiful shop is famous for being a favorite spot for locals, chefs, and even a French president!
I purchased a 36m aged Comté (raw cow's milk Alpine from the Jura mountains), Rocamadour (raw goat cheese from the Lot region) and Maroilles (raw cow's-milk cheese made in the regions of Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais in Northern France).

Back in the Loire Valley in Saumur I visited Fromagerie du Puits Neuf, and again marveled at the beauty of the stacked cheese displayed before me!
I selected the very vibrant Boulette d'Avesnes (a pungent, cone-shaped cheese from the Nord department of France, this vibrant, paprika-rubbed cheese is kneaded by hand with herbs and spices), Galet de la Loire (a triple-crème cow's milk cheese from the Anjou region of the Loire Valley) and a tremendously exciting Tourteau Fromagé du Poitou-Charentes (a goat cheese soufflé cake, with a scorched blackened crust).

The hospitality of my fellow cheesemongers, the aromatic beauty of the stores and the taste of these cheeses will stay with me for a long time. What a lucky Cheese Lady!

Fortunate to have visited Le Vazereau Farm and Cheesemaker in Cinais this week, an organic farmhouse maker of a number of PDO (protected origin) raw goat cheeses in the Loire valley.

Had a very informative presentation by Mylène Chrétien on the making of iconic Sainte Maure de Touraine AOP - wonderful, historic cheese that I have always wanted to try! To use this name, precise quality criteria must be met; in particular, the taste, texture, rind, shape and consistency is checked frequently by inspectors. This cheese is readily identified by the straw running through it bearing the makers name - how cool is that?! And yes I kept the straw.

Also met some amazing goats who work terribly hard to provide all that luscious milk for those fantastic cheeses.

Really enjoyed stopping by and chatting in Laiterie Gilbert Chinon in French Loire Valley. It's always a real joy to talk cheese with another cheesemongers and hear their recommendations! I purchase lots of raw washed rind stinkers (as secretly, they are my favorite) Reblouchon - made in the Rhône-Alps region, Pont-l'Évêque - made in Normandy, and also my first taste of Livarot - again from Normandy, knicknamed 'the colonel' due to the 3 bands of plant fibers wrapped around the outside.
I couldn't leave without a goat's milk cheese from the region and choose some Crottin de Chavignol - a wrinkled cheese made since 1573!
I was also delighted to see Snowdonia Cheese on sale - we love the Black Bomber in our store!
A beautiful store, with delightful service 🧀❤

Having an extraordinarily brilliant time on a Wine (and Cheese) tour of the French Loire valley, organized by Rochester Wine
So very excited to meet and talk cheese with RODOLPHE LE MEUNIER today (those who don't know of Rodolphe's achievements in the cheese world - he has been awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France) and Mondial Fromage in 2007, and in the expert advisor for the World Cheese Awards). He is renowned for his talent and exacting standards of quality both in France and internationally.
Huge thanks to Rodolphe for spending time with our group today and to Owen Rumiano for showing us around the affinage caves and serving us a superlative cheese plate!

The May Cheese of the Month is Pineapple Le Roulé! We have limited stock available so stop by and secure your slice of summer today!

This pasteurized cow’s milk unripened soft cheese is made in France by Rians and is famous for its hand-rolled spiral appearance featuring pieces of candied pineapple. A sweet-tart flavor profile means its just perfect as a dessert cheese spread, atop an Effie’s Oatcake (just like a cheesecake) or on a warm bagel! In store and online here

https://rochester.thecheeselady.net/product/pineapple-le-roule/