Cheese Database

Époisses vs Vieux-Boulogne

Époisses, field guide plate
Époisses, photographed

Époisses

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Soft
Type
Washed rind
Rind
Washed rind
Country
France
Place
Burgundy
Status
PDO

Époisses is a soft cow's-milk cheese from Burgundy, and a protected name. The rind is washed with marc de Bourgogne, the local grape spirit, while the cheese ages.

Vieux-Boulogne

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Soft
Type
Washed rind
Rind
Washed rind
Country
France

Vieux-Boulogne is a soft cow's milk cheese from France with a washed rind and a reputation for a very strong smell. The format is a small square, and the paste is unpressed, moist, and elastic. The rind is orange to red and is washed with beer while the cheese ripens, which feeds the aroma, and traditional milk is raw. The flavor is savory and full, but many people find the smell stronger than the taste. It is a cheese-shop cheese, not a mild slice for everyday sandwiches.