Beaufort Chalet d'Alpage is a raw cow's milk cheese made in the Haute Savoie region of France, and its wheels are among the largest wheels of cheese produced artisanally. Beaufort has a natural smear rind and is immediately recognizable by its inwardly-curving sides. While a young Beaufort has a mild, fruity, sweet flavor, the Chalet d'Alpage farmer's variety that we have selected is aged longer and develops a lovely, rounded, more savory note. The breed of cow used to make Beaufort is traditionally the Tarantaise - a muscled beauty that does well in the barn during the winter and under the stars in the high summer pastures. The Chalet d'Alpage version is always rich and flavorful because the pasturing is done high up in the mountains. Beaufort holds well in the company of bold red flavors such as Syrah and is lovely with Champagnes, as well as with Chardonnay, Riesling, Gamay, and Tannat.
