Vacherin Mont d'Or

Vacherin Mont d'Or is one of the most extraordinary cheeses in the world: a seasonal cheese made only from September to March, when the cows return from their mountain pastures. The cheese is wrapped in a band of spruce bark and aged in a wooden box, which gives it its distinctive resinous, woodsy undertone.

At room temperature, the cheese becomes almost liquid, perfect for spooning straight from the box or for baking whole in the oven. The flavor is rich, creamy and complex: buttery, lightly resinous from the spruce bark, with a subtle sweetness. In France and Switzerland, baking a whole Vacherin in the oven is a winter tradition. Tuck in a clove of garlic, splash in a little white wine and bake until it bubbles.

Pairs well with: a glass of Jura wine, a dry white wine or a Swiss beer. Bake it whole in the oven and dip in bread and potatoes. Or spoon it at room temperature onto fresh bread. A unique winter experience you won't want to miss.