Cheese of the Week: Grand Noir

Draped in a decorative black wax, this elegant blue cheese is dressed for your next event.

Images courtesy of Champignon North America, Inc.

Sweet, salty, and sharp, Grand Noir is a premium blue cheese that is encased in a black wax. It has an extremely soft and creamy texture that melts in the mouth almost instantly! Blue cheese lovers will certainly appreciate the bold blue notes of this fine cheese. Grand Noir won Best of Class in the Blue veined cheese category at the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest.

Image courtesy of Champignon North America, Inc.

Grand Noir is made by Käserei Champignon located in Bavaria, Germany. The production starts with fresh, local milk from Swiss brown cows that that graze in the Allgäu region of Bavaria. Each wheel of Grand Noir is dipped in its signature black wax. The wheels are then aged in a cold environment, which helps the cheese to develop its creamy, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Grand Noir is lactose-free, gluten-free and vegetarian friendly.

Käserei Champignon is a family-owned business that has been crafting cheeses in Bavaria, Germany for over 100 years. Champignon cheeses are crafted only by master cheesemakers that use recipes that have been passed down through the company's 100+ year history.

Käserei Champignon cheeses were first brought to the American market by Champignon North America, Inc in 1981. Since then, the company has expanded their line to include soft-ripened cheeses, washed rind cheeses and cheeses for the grill (check out our review of the Rougette Bonfire cheeses here!). All of their cheeses are still made in Bavaria using local milk.

Enjoy Grand Noir alongside bold red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon or champagne. The sweet notes of Grand Noir make it a natural pair for candied ginger, pomegranate, and fruit preserves. Make sure to remove the wax before eating--it is not edible! Under the black wax there is sometimes blue or grey mold, which is completely normal and adds to the wonderful blue character of the cheese.

I know it is a little early, but this beautiful and elegant blue cheese is a must-have for holiday entertaining! 😉 Check out this recipe for Grand Noir with Focaccia and Prosciutto which would make a fabulous appetizer at your next get together!