Burgundy · France
Époisses Berthaut.
Époisses announces itself with an arresting funky barnyard perfume—the kind that clears a room and commands respect. Beneath its sticky, rust-orange rind lies a butter-soft interior with an almost meaty complexity, spiked with the warm spice of marc de Bourgogne and a prickle of heat that lingers on the palate. This is a cheese that tastes like place and tradition: messy, uncompromising, utterly alive.
Origin
47.3°N · 4.2°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Époisses was created by Cistercian monks near Époisses in Côte-d'Or, Burgundy, in the 16th century. Napoleon reportedly called it the 'King of all cheeses.
' Production nearly died out during WWII but was revived by Robert Berthaut in 1956. The cheese is washed repeatedly with marc de Bourgogne (grape brandy), giving its distinctive orange rind. AOC since 1991.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Washed-rind
- Rind
- washed
- Age
- 1–2 mo
- Protected
- AOP · since 1996
- Intensity
- 5 / 5
- Texture
- soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Époisses Berthaut's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for washed-rind cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 1.5–2 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Slice in wedges with the rind on — or for a very ripe wheel, take off the top and spoon.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Époisses.
43 pairings across 5 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Époisses Berthaut are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Époisses Berthaut at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
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