Ossau Iraty Arriou AOP

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Ossau Iraty is a ewe's milk cheese that can be made of raw or pasteurised milk. It hails from the Basque region, which is bordering the south-west of France. Th…
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Ossau Iraty is a ewe's milk cheese that can be made of raw or pasteurised milk. It hails from the Basque region, which is bordering the south-west of France. This semi hard cheese received AOC status in 1980 and PDO status in 1996, which governs the production and where it can be made. Ossau Iraty is exclsively produced in only Béarn and Basque Country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). If you have not visited this area, it is very beautiful, green and mountainesque and characterised by high humidity, which makes it the perfect climate for lush and varied grass to grow.

To make this semi hard cheese, the producers must exclusively use whole milk from only three local breeds of ewes, Manech black-faced, Manech red-faced and the Basco-Béarnaise, and at most 40-48 hours after the last milking. By using these local breeds, it allows farmers to exploit and maintain the steep, grassy slopes of the region during the summer transhumance. Ossau Iraty must be matured for a minimum of 80 to 120 days depending on the size of the cheese wheels. Something that is quite interesting about this is cheese, that you may not have noticed, is that under each wheel of cheese is a stamp of a ewe's head - Ask to look at it next time you see a full wheel!

Country of originFrance
Region, town: Basque Country
Source of milkSheep's Milk
Texture: Semi Hard cheese
Flavour: fruity, herbaceous and nutty
Aging time: minimum 80 days

Serving Suggestion: Why not enjoy this cheese like the locals in Basque Country and pair it with some black cherry jam and baguette. 

Wine Pairing: Ossau Iraty is complimented by a full-bodied, fruity red like, Zinfandel, Tempranillo or Syrah or a rich, buttery chardonnay

 

*All our cheeses are cut by hand so the weight may vary slightly :)

4 reviews
  • Amazing product 5

    Posted by Michaela Harris on 28th Jun 2022

    I was surprised by this cheese , I don’t think I ve ever had anything like it , delicious, superb ! I definitely will order again !

  • Creamy, nutty and light 5

    Posted by Daegal Brain on 22nd Sep 2021

    Wonderful cheese here, its much more pale than looks in the picture, a white creamy colour. The depth of flavour is fantastic. There is something here for fans of both strong and mild cheese. Paire it with a Mornington Rieisling

  • Ossau Iraty Cheese 5

    Posted by Greg Turner on 26th May 2020

    This is an exquisite cheese. First tasted by me in France, it was a joy to find fine quality Ossau Iraty sold in Australia. Le Fromage Yard packaged and sent my order perfectly and quickly. Highly recommended.

  • Ossau Iraty Arriou 5

    Posted by Shane Dennis Reiche on 17th May 2020

    Beautiful cheese. Hard to fault.

Ossau Iraty Arriou AOP

$19.80 - $99.00

Ossau Iraty Arriou AOP

$19.80 - $99.00

Description

Ossau Iraty is a ewe's milk cheese that can be made of raw or pasteurised milk. It hails from the Basque region, which is bordering the south-west of France. This semi hard cheese received AOC status in 1980 and PDO status in 1996, which governs the production and where it can be made. Ossau Iraty is exclsively produced in only Béarn and Basque Country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). If you have not visited this area, it is very beautiful, green and mountainesque and characterised by high humidity, which makes it the perfect climate for lush and varied grass to grow.

To make this semi hard cheese, the producers must exclusively use whole milk from only three local breeds of ewes, Manech black-faced, Manech red-faced and the Basco-Béarnaise, and at most 40-48 hours after the last milking. By using these local breeds, it allows farmers to exploit and maintain the steep, grassy slopes of the region during the summer transhumance. Ossau Iraty must be matured for a minimum of 80 to 120 days depending on the size of the cheese wheels. Something that is quite interesting about this is cheese, that you may not have noticed, is that under each wheel of cheese is a stamp of a ewe's head - Ask to look at it next time you see a full wheel!

Country of originFrance
Region, town: Basque Country
Source of milkSheep's Milk
Texture: Semi Hard cheese
Flavour: fruity, herbaceous and nutty
Aging time: minimum 80 days

Serving Suggestion: Why not enjoy this cheese like the locals in Basque Country and pair it with some black cherry jam and baguette. 

Wine Pairing: Ossau Iraty is complimented by a full-bodied, fruity red like, Zinfandel, Tempranillo or Syrah or a rich, buttery chardonnay

 

*All our cheeses are cut by hand so the weight may vary slightly :)

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