Description
The Chevrotin PDO is a cheese obtained from raw and whole goat's milk and is exclusively produced in farms. The goats, mostly of Alpine breed, are nurtured with pasture grass and hay and must belong to the same herd.
Production Area
The production area of Chevrotin PDO covers the Massifs of Mont-Blanc, Chablais and Aravis in Haute-Savoie and the Massif of Bauges in Savoie, in the region Rhone-Alps. The goats' stalls are located in mountainous areas, where the producers transform the milk of the farm.
Production Method
The production method of Chevrotin PDO reproduces in modern places the ancestral handmade gestures like the addition of rennet, the breaking up of curd, the laying of the paste in moulds and pressing. After salting, the cheese must be stored for some days in a dryer before being washed. Then the mould must ripen at least three weeks on deal wood boards. During this phase, the cheese must be turned at least three times a week.
Appearance and Flavour
Chevrotin PDO is a small cheese measuring 9-12 cm of diameter with a weight between 250-350 gr. Handmade and ripened for at least 21 days, it features a beautiful white-rosy tone, a very fine paste and a delicate goat flavour.
History
The origin of Chevrotin PDO goes back to the 17th century. At that time, the know-how of men and the natural conditions of the mountains, the rough climate and the precipitous mountains helped to form the Chevrotin area, making it unique. The lease agreements of alpine pastures and the documents regarding sales are the first written evidence of the production of this cheese.
Gastronomy
Chevrotin PDO can be conserved in the least cold compartment of the refrigerator, in its original package, for about one week. It is the ideal cheese for slicer. Before tasting it, it is suggested to leave it at room temperature for one or two hours, so to better appreciate its delicate goat flavour, maybe accompanying it with rustic bread and a Savoy, white or red wine.
Marketing
The product is sold as Chevrotin PDO. It is marketed whole and in single packages containing a thin deal wood base.
Distinctive Features
The production technique of Chevrotin PDO is similar to the one of cow's milk cheeses produced in the same region, like Reblochon, but it is the only goat cheese with rapid coagulation and washed rind.
