Cheese story
What is Saint-Nectaire?
An Auvergne cheese with a supple paste and distinctive earthy rind.
Origin
Auvergne, France
Milk
cow
Board role
Bold / washed-rind
Cheese profile
Country
France
Region
Auvergne
Milk type
cow
Texture
semi-soft
Rind
natural washed rind
Ageing
4 to 8 weeks
Vegetarian
Check the rennet / producer
Milk treatment
raw or pasteurised
Flavour profile: earthy, mushroomy, nutty, creamy
Origin, protection and character
Saint-Nectaire comes from France, especially Auvergne. Its character comes from the balance of milk, texture, rind, ageing and local serving traditions.
Protected status
PDO/AOP
Typical ageing
4 to 8 weeks
How to serve Saint-Nectaire
cheese boards, potatoes, rustic dishes
Good food matches
red wine
apples
bread
Serving tip
Take it out of the fridge before serving so the texture softens and the flavour opens up. Softer cheeses usually need less time than hard aged cheeses.
Buying tip
Look for clean aroma, good texture and a style that matches the board: fresh and bright, soft and creamy, hard and nutty, blue and salty, or bold and washed-rind.
