Gruyere AOP Alpage Vounetz 2023

Seasonal product. Farmhouse production. From May to October, the master herdsmen produce 2 to 3 cheeses a day. Each chalet has its own particularities, due to its altitude, its slope, its flora… and the cheese-maker’s know-how, which gives the cheese its special character. The Vounetz mountain pasture is located at an altitude of 1612 m, in the commune of Charmey, in the canton of Fribourg. It is run by the Piller family in an authentic alpine chalet. The raw milk is heated over a wood fire in copper cauldrons. This cheese has a meltingly soft, buttery texture and a very pronounced smoky flavour. The 2023 production is remarkable. The flavour is very well balanced, with that smoky note coming through perfectly. There are even occasional hints of gentian. This Alpage is clearly a safe bet.