Best Canton of Fribourg Cow's Milk Cheese Types
Gruyère is a cooked and pressed cheese made from raw cow's milk. On the exterior, the cheese has a grainy yellow to brown rind, while the interior is ivory to pale yellow in color. The Swiss version (AOP), a hard cheese with a salty and nutty flavor usually has no holes, while the French version (IGP) is required to have them, ranging in size from a pea to a cherry.
Gruyère must mature for at least 120 days in cellars so that it develops delicate aromas of caramelized apples, hazelnuts, and brown butter. It melts well, making it ideal for classic fondues, or, alternatively, sliced and consumed on its own and paired with a glass of light red wine.
THE BEST Gruyère Cheeses
Vacherin Fribourgeois is a traditional semi-soft cheese. It's made from raw cow's milk in Bulle and Fribourg. The cows graze only on grass and summer hay on the Alpine meadows. The rind is washed and has a pungent aroma. The interior hides an open, firm, and buttery texture.
The aromas are grassy and strong, while the flavors are buttery, nutty, milky, and acidic. It's difficult to find the cheese because it's produced only by a handful of local artisanal cheese makers. There are 6 varieties of Vacherin Fribourgeois: Classic (6-12 weeks), Extra (at least 12 weeks), Rustic (at least 12 weeks and up to 25 weeks), Alpage (12-25 weeks), Mountain (9-25 weeks), and Organic (at least 9 weeks).
Pair with
Mont Vully is a Swiss cheese made from raw cow's milk. It's produced in the Canton of Fribourg. The texture of Mont Vully is semi-soft and delicate, while the flavors are mild, nutty, woodsy, and slightly piquant. As it ages (10 to 20 weeks), the cheese is regularly washed with Pinot Noir from local vineyards, giving it a reddish rind.
The cheese can also be recognized by a grape imprint on top of the wheel. The name of this cheese is a reference to Mont Vully, a hill in the Swiss Plateau. It is produced in 3 varieties – Classique (the original), Bio (organic), and Réserve (matured for 25 weeks).
Pair with
Fricâlin is a semi-hard cheese made from raw cow's milk that undergoes a total maturation period of approximately 28 weeks. The cheese forms a round wheel, approximately 30 cm (12") in diameter, 4 cm (1.5") in height, and weighing around 7 kg (15.5 lbs).
Its washed rind starts with a beige hue, turning brown as it matures, while the interior paste is compact and firm, varying from yellow to ivory depending on the season, with sparse small holes. Fricâlin offers a robust flavor profile, featuring fresh milky and nutty notes.
Arpitan is a semi-hard cheese crafted from thermized cow's milk. It is named after the regional language, Arpitan, which is spoken in parts of Switzerland, France, and Italy. It undergoes a three-month aging process in cellars, resulting in a cooked, pressed cheese with a flavor profile reminiscent of Appenzeller and Swiss Gruyère.
Typically, it is formed into 4.5 kg wheels.
Best Canton of Fribourg Cow's Milk Cheese Producers
Walo von Mühlenen specializes in the production and maturation of Swiss cheeses, working with affineurs to age cheeses in optimal conditions. The company highlights traditional methods and regional cheese varieties, maintaining close relationships with small-scale dairies to ensure high-quality products.
They are known for promoting lesser-known Swiss cheeses alongside internationally recognized varieties.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Walo Von Mühlenen Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022
BEST Le Gruyère Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Cremo Cheeses
Best Canton of Fribourg Cow's Milk Cheeses
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
Affineur Walo Jura Mountain cheese is a product created by Walo von Mühlenen, a company renowned for its expertise in aging and refining cheeses. The cheese is made from cow's milk and reflects the rich traditions of Swiss cheesemaking. It is aged to develop a complex flavor profile, with creamy and nutty undertones and a smooth texture.
The aging process takes place in specialized facilities to ensure the cheese attains its characteristic depth of flavor and unique aroma.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Gruyère D'alpage Aop Caves De La Tzintre is a traditional Swiss cheese produced by Interprofession du Gruyère. This cheese is a variant of the renowned Gruyère, specifically made from the milk of cows that graze in the high alpine pastures around Vounetz.
The "d'alpage" designation indicates that it is crafted during the summer months when the cows feed on the rich alpine flora, contributing to its distinct flavor profile. Aging takes place in the Caves de la Tzintre, where the cheese develops its characteristic taste and texture.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024
Le Gruyere AOP Premier Cru is a type of cheese produced by Cremo. It is renowned for its robust and complex flavor profile, often described as nutty and slightly sweet with earthy undertones. This cheese is aged for a minimum of 14 months, which contributes to its rich and mature taste.
Le Gruyere AOP Premier Cru is typically used in gourmet cooking as well as enjoyed on its own, paired with fine wines.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2021
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024
Emmentaler AOP produced by Cremo is a traditional Swiss cheese renowned for its distinct nutty and mild flavor, which is complemented by its iconic large holes. This cheese is crafted using raw cow's milk that comes from local farms adhering to strict guidelines, ensuring a natural and consistent product.
The cheese is aged for a minimum of four months, which contributes to developing its deep, rich flavors and firm texture. Emmentaler AOP Classic is often used in cooking for its melting qualities but also enjoyed on its own or as part of cheese platters.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP Classic, made by Cremo is a traditional Swiss cheese hailing from the Fribourg region. This cheese is renowned for its smooth and creamy texture, which becomes delightfully melty when heated, making it an excellent choice for fondue.
The flavor profile is rich and moderately tangy with earthy undertones, a characteristic derived from the high-quality cow's milk used in its production. The cheese is aged for a minimum of three months, allowing it to develop its distinct taste and texture.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2021
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
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