What is an AOC ?

The AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is a brand which guarantee the type and the authenticity of its geographical origin. It is associated to the notion  of “Terroir” literally the “earth” ie identity and characteristics of a local, well-defined area with its own geology, farm practice, climate and techniques. As with wines, these characteristics determine the identity and personality of the cheese.

 

 

The different AOC cheeses of Auvergne

 

"Click on the cheeses to find out more"

Le Cantal

Cantal is a dry rind cheese, made from cows milk, firm, pressed and non-processed. It is sold in “wheels” weighing 35-45 kg and 36-40 cm in diameter. The three Cantal AOC’s exist differing in their maturation or ripening period : Cantal jeune (young, minimum 1 month’ maturation), Cantal entre deux (between the two, 2-6 months) and Cantal vieux (old, more than 6 months maturation).

 

See www.aoc-cantal.com

 

Salers is the ancestral form of Cantal and was formerly made in the burons (the ancient estive building) during the estive, ie the summer transhumance to the mountains. Although a few burons are still functioning, Salers is now made on the farm, but while the cows are grazing the estive pastures.

Thus the fabrication of Salers cheese takes place only when the cows are out to grass, that is between the 15th of April and 15th of November. It must take place “in situ” twice a day after each milking.
The maturation lasts a minimum of 3 months but can be prolonged to 1 year depending upon the flavour required. Salers, as with Cantal, is a cheese with a dry rind. However, in contrast to Cantal, the raw whole milk must be processed on the farm, immediately after milking. It is a pressed non-processed cheese. After maturation, Salers cheese wheels weigh between 30 and 50 kg and about 400 litres of milk is necessary for each one. Salers is not necessary made from milk from Salers cows, a large part of the fabrication is from other milk breeds.

See www.aoc-salers.com

And also www.saintnectaire.com