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Langres Chalancey AOP 180g

$19.00
$19.00
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The Cheese

One of France's great washed-rind cheeses, produced in the rolling countryside of Haute-Marne in the Champagne region. This is a cow's milk cheese, named for the historic town of Langres where the cheese has its roots.

It is famous for its distinctive concave top, the fontaine. Traditionally, a whole wheel is purchased and the depression is filled with Marc de Bourgogne, a grape-based brandy from neighboring Burgundy, which gradually permeates the paste and enriches the cheese's aromatic complexity. In some celebratory settings, the spirit is briefly ignited before serving, creating one of France's most memorable cheese rituals.

The cheese is washed during maturation, encouraging the development of its orange-gold rind and complex aromatic profile. Depending on its size, Langres is typically aged for a minimum of three to six weeks, developing a creamy paste beneath the rind.

Langres Chalancey offers an enticing balance of rustic intensity and elegant creaminess. Aromas suggest cultured butter, cream, roasted nuts, and damp cellar earth, with the gentle pungency typical of traditional washed-rind cheeses. The texture becomes increasingly soft and luscious as the cheese matures, often approaching a spoonable consistency beneath the rind. On the palate, flavors of sweet cream, toasted hazelnuts, mushrooms, and savory broth unfold over a rich, buttery foundation. Despite its aromatic intensity, Langres remains remarkably approachable, finishing with notes of roasted nuts and lingering cream.

Pairings: Langres has long been associated with the wines of Champagne, whose acidity and fine bubbles cut through the cheese's richness while complementing its nutty and savory character. Pinot Noir-based Champagnes are particularly successful, though the cheese also pairs beautifully with dry sparkling wines, Burgundy Chardonnay, or light-bodied reds with bright acidity. Traditional accompaniments include crusty bread, walnuts, and fresh pears, all of which highlight the cheese's creamy texture and earthy complexity.

The Producer

Chalancey refers to one of the principal production areas within the Langres AOP and is home to dairy traditions that have shaped the character of this celebrated cheese for generations. Situated in the Haute-Marne department near the historic plateau of Langres, the area's lush pastures and temperate climate provide ideal conditions for dairy farming.

Producers in the region continue to follow traditional methods that emphasize careful milk selection, slow maturation, and the distinctive rind-washing techniques that give Langres its iconic appearance and flavor. Today, Langres remains one of France's smaller AOP cheeses, prized for its unique shape, regional identity, and centuries-old connection to northeastern France.

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