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Thursday, March 26, 2015

Rodolphe Le Meunier "the Jimmy Page of the cheese world"




"Rodolphe Le Meunier, as we have mentioned, may be the Jimmy Page of the cheese world, a third-generation affineur who won the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, which is kind of like the Olympic gold medal for French cheesemongers and other craftspeople, at an age where most of his peers were still learning the difference between a Langres and a Saint-Marcellin." - The L.A. Times

"Rodolphe Le Meunier...in cheese circles, he’s a rock star.   The 39-year-old from the Loire Valley is the third generation of his family to be in the business. In 2007, he was named both the best cheesemonger in France and the world’s best cheesemonger by different organizations. Le Meunier has also won the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the Olympics of French craftsmen, held every four years." -- The L.A. Times




Rodolphe Le Meunier is an expert cheesemonger that purchases young cheese from quality producers when the cheese is only about 2 weeks old.  He then takes the cheese back to his facility in the Loire Valley and ages the cheese to his specifications.  He then releases them when he thinks they are ready.

Here are a few of Rodolphe Le Meunier cheeses in stock now at our Forsyth location.  Come in for a taste


Tome Des Pictons Morbier
This is a delicious cheese aged by Rodolphe Le Meunier in is Loire Valley facility.    The cheese is from Jura and would go great with an Arbois from Jura or a great Cru Beaujolais.

Le Jeune Autize "Goats Milk Morbier"
"Visual drama is what first attracted me to Le Jeune Autize; it reminded me of a marble slab, with its black, cinematic vein of ash creeping through the lily-white flesh. Fashioned similarly to Morbier, only with goat's milk, Le Jeune Autize batted its eyelashes at me from across the room, its kohl eyeliner promising mystery behind those amazing contours.

I asked for a taste, and my first impressions were smooth and silky, with a nicely semi-firm body that gave easily under my bite. Oilier than most goat cheeses, Le Jeune Autize plays across the tongue joyfully without being overly capricious. There's a good taste of salt there, with a lightly funky layer that won't overpower those not into strong cheeses. The followup is decidedly sweet, and the rind has a pleasantly dusty, mushroomy flavor that smacks faintly of grass and fresh tobacco.

If you find this lovely lady in your local cheese shop, I highly recommend taking her for a stroll. And if they don't carry it, put in a request! I guarantee you won't regret a few minutes alone with this little beauty." -- Serious Eats


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