Crottin de Chavignol
AOP📍 Centre-Val de Loire · Cher
Small goat cheese from Berry, dry and flavorful.
The cheese
Born in the village of Chavignol in Berry, at the heart of the Sancerre vineyard, AOP Crottin de Chavignol is a small raw-milk goat's cheese, round and flat, about 60 g. Made from the milk of Alpine Chamoisée goats, it is eaten at every stage of ripeness: fresh (10 days, white and mild paste), semi-dry (2-3 weeks, white-cream rind, tender paste), dry (4 weeks, bluish rind, firm and goaty paste), and even very dry or "repassé" (over 2 months, brown-black rind, dense and characterful paste). Aromas evolve from mild fresh goat milk to stronger hazelnut, mushroom and terroir notes. Classic local pairing: young white Sancerre, or even red for longer ageings. Also delicious melted on a warm salad ("chavignol chaud") or en papillote with honey.