Our Christmas orders are now closed. You can still buy our Cheese Subscriptions to start in January, as well as book our courses and tasting events. If you want to purchase vouchers you can do so until the 20th December but please note that it can take up to 48 hours for the vouchers to be emailed to you as we process these manually.

We have a full counter of cheese in our shop in Pangbourne so you can still come in and purchase items in store

A picture showing an Époisses PDO in its wooden box. It is sat on a wooden table

Époisses PDO Cheese

£14.50

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Époisses PDO is possibly the smelliest cheese in our counter! Washed in a French Brandy it is soft and squidgy with a ripe aroma. The cheese within its pungent rind is surprisingly mild and delicate. The traditional way to eat Époisses is to scoop or spread it, not cut it, almost like a savoury custard. It’s not just a cheese, it’s a whole experience, proudly local and absolutely full of character.

  • Cow’s milk cheese
  • Burgundy, France
  • Medium in flavour, strong in smell!
  • Pasteurised milk
  • Animal rennet
  • Available as a whole wheel
Description

Description

Époisses PDO Cheese

About Époisses PDO

Époisses is as French as they come, gloriously stinky, silky, and straight from Burgundy. If you’re feeling brave enough to give it a go, you’ll find there’s a lot more going on than just the smell. There’s a real depth and richness hiding underneath that first whiff.

Époisses has been around since the 1500s, first made in the little village of Époisses in Burgundy. The story goes that Cistercian monks were the first to make it, using milk from local cows and methods that suited the damp weather. It soon became a favourite in the region, even Madame de Pompadour was a fan. Like so many old cheeses, Époisses almost vanished in the early 1900s, but thankfully some determined cheesemakers brought it back.

You’ll know Époisses straight away by its bold smell and its bright orange-red rind. It’s a small, round cheese with a sticky top, thanks to regular brine washes and a splash of Marc de Bourgogne, a local brandy. That’s where it gets its colour and that unforgettable, unique aroma. Inside the cheese softens as it ripens, perfect for spreading on bread or crackers.

 

Protected by PDO Tradition
Époisses has had official protection since 1991, first under the French AOC and now the European PDO. That means only cheese made with milk from cows in Burgundy (and nearby) and using the traditional methods, including those famous brandy washes, can be called Époisses. These rules help keep the quality high and make sure the cheese stays true to its roots.

 

Époisses PDO – Jen’s Tasting Notes

Don’t be put off by the smell – Époisses is packed with subtle flavours. When it’s ripe, it’s creamy, a little bit meaty, and almost runny at the edges. There are savoury and sweet notes, a bit of tang, and even a hint of caramelised onion if you’re lucky. That gentle sweetness keeps everything in balance. Younger Époisses are firmer and milder, but a ripe one is pure delight and definitely something to take your time over.

 

How to Serve and Pair Époisses
  • Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it so it can come up to room temperature.
  • Classic pairings: If you’re wondering what to drink, you can’t go wrong with Burgundy wine. A white Burgundy, like a Meursault or a Chablis, is perfect for penetrating through the richness of the cheese.
  • Something a little different: Something like a Belgian-style ale will also pair really nicely.
  • On the plate: I like to keep the food simple; a bit of rustic bread, some boiled potatoes, or just plain crackers to let the cheese do all the talking.

 

Jen’s note: Époisses is said to have been banned from some public transport in France because of the smell! True or not, it’s a great story.

 

Buying Époisses PDO
  • Brand or Producer: Fromagerie Germain
  • Product name: Époisses PDO
  • Milk: Cow
  • Country: France
  • Region: Burgundy
  • Strength: Medium in flavour, strong in smell!
  • Vegetarian: No
  • Suitable for pregnancy: No
  • Allergens: MILK

 

Sizes and Prices

  • Whole cheese (approx. 250g), £14.50

 

Storage Advice

  • Keep refrigerated
  • Wrap in waxed paper or foil
  • Remove from the fridge before serving
  • Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening

 

Delivery and Collection

  • UK wide courier delivery
  • Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
  • Free local delivery available for selected postcodes

 

Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)

MILK, salt, ferments, rennet, Burgundy marc (traces)

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Christmas Opening Hours

Normal opening Monday – Saturday 9am – 4pm until:

Sunday 22nd 9am – 4pm
Monday 23rd 9am – 4pm
Christmas Eve 9am – 12pm
Christmas Day Closed
Boxing Day Closed
Friday 27th Closed
Saturday 28th 9am – 4pm
Sunday 29th Closed
Monday 30th 9am – 2pm
Tuesday 31st 9am – 2pm
New Year’s Day Closed
Thursday 2nd January Closed
Friday 3rd 9am – 4pm then open as normal

After Christmas our courier delivery slots start from 8th January.