Ossau-Iraty Fermier

An authentic jewel of the Basque Country and Béarn mountains, Ossau-Iraty Fermier AOP is an exceptional unpasteurized sheep’s milk cheese crafted exclusively on small mountain farms. Unlike cooperative productions, the prestigious fermier seal guarantees that each wheel is handmade directly on the property using raw milk strictly from the farmer’s own flock of Manech or Basco-Béarnaise ewes.

Slowly matured in humid cellars for at least four to six months, it develops a thick, natural rustic rind enclosing a dense, ivory to pale yellow paste. On the palate, it exhibits a remarkably rich, buttery texture that delivers a deeply nuanced flavor profile – harmonizing gentle notes of toasted hazelnut, sweet meadow wild grasses, and a subtle, rustic barnyard complexity unique to farm-reared raw sheep’s milk.

An essential highlight for any artisanal cheese platter, it is traditionally served sliced alongside black cherry jam or a dollop of sweet fig preserve. On the cellar side, its rich, savory depth pairs exquisitely with a dry white wine from the Southwest, a full-bodied red, or a glass of crisp cider.