Rodolphe le Meunier - ‘Tommette Brǔlée’ Basque Sheep Cheese (France, priced per ounce)

Rodolphe Le Meunier | Tommette Brûlée | Basque Sheep's Milk Cheese | France | Priced per ounce

There are many semi-firm sheep's milk cheeses from the mountainous Basque country of southern France, but Tommette Brûlée is something apart. Several small dairies produce the little wheels, draining them for a few days before they are collected and brought to the cellars of famed affineur Rodolphe Le Meunier for further aging. There, the wheels are cleaned and turned for three to four months to ensure even, unhurried maturation.

Once the Tommette reaches ideal ripeness, Rodolphe's team torches the rind — adding a touch of caramelized sweetness and a burnished, deeply appealing exterior. The result is irresistible: silky, yielding paste with flavors of roasted cashews, brown butter, and tortilla chips, wrapped in a rind that carries the faintest whisper of smoke and caramel.

Melt slices over toast for a deeply comforting snack, or drizzle cubes with honey and peppery olive oil for an addictive appetizer. Either way, it disappears fast.

• Origin: Basque Country, France
• Milk: Sheep's milk, semi-firm
• Affineur: Rodolphe Le Meunier
• Aging: 3–4 months, torch-finished rind
• Flavor: Roasted cashews, brown butter, tortilla chips, caramel
• Pricing: Per ounce
• Pairs with: Honey, peppery olive oil, toasted bread, Basque cider, dry rosé, aged Rioja