Welcome, cheese enthusiasts and gastronomic explorers!
Today, we’re diving into the world of a lesser-known yet intriguing French cheese – Arômes au Gène de Marc. This dual-milk cheese, produced in the Rhône-Alpes region of France, is as fascinating as it is flavorful.
Arômes au Gène de Marc, with its distinctive aroma and complex flavor profile, is a testament to the artistry and tradition of French cheesemaking.
But what exactly sets this cheese apart from the crowd? It’s the unique process of washing it in ‘marc de raisin’, a type of grape pomace brandy, which gives it a distinctive, robust character.
Join us as we explore the origins, production process, tasting notes, and pairing suggestions for this intriguing cheese.
Quick Facts About Arômes au Gène de Marc
| Country of Origin | France |
| Region | Rhône-Alpes |
| Age | 1 month (minimum 2 weeks) |
| Classification | Aged fresh, Semi-soft, Aristan |
| Milk | Unpasteurized cow’s and goat’s milk |
| Producer | Various |
| Rind | Washed in marc de raisin (grape pomace brandy) |
| Weight and shape | 80 to 120 g (3 to 4 oz), Disk |
| Fat content | 25% |
| Size | Diameter 6 to 7 cm (2.5 to 3 inches), Height 2 to 3 cm (0.75 to 1 inch) |
| Aroma | Fermented, pungent, acute |
| Flavor | Slightly acidic, fruity, and nutty |
| Taste | Strong, bittersweet, yeasty, spicy |
| Pairing | Beaujolais-village, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise |
| Texture | Creamy-moist to flaky-hard with age |
| Color | White |
What is Arômes au Gène de Marc?
Arômes au Gène de Marc is a distinctive French cheese that hails from the Rhone-Alpes region. It’s known for its unique processing method and intriguing flavor profile.
Typically, Arômes au Gène de Marc is a mixed-milk cheese, made from both cow’s and goat’s milk. This combination gives the cheese a unique taste that is a balance of the creamy richness of cow’s milk and the tangy freshness of goat’s milk.
One of the most distinctive features of this cheese is its rind. The cheese is washed in ‘marc de raisin’, a type of grape pomace brandy, during the ripening process. This not only gives the cheese a distinctive fruity aroma but also imparts a slightly acidic, fruity flavor to the cheese.
The texture of Arômes au Gène de Marc is typically creamy and smooth, and it has a slightly acidic, fruity, and nutty flavor. It’s a soft cheese that is great on a cheese board, paired with fruits, or even melted on bread. It also pairs well with light red wines, such as Beaujolais.
In summary, Arômes au Gène de Marc is a cheese that truly embodies the artisanal cheesemaking traditions of the Rhone-Alpes region, offering cheese lovers a unique gustatory experience.
Fun Fact: When cured in Marc brandy, the cheese is referred to as Arômes au Gène de Marc, and when cured in white wine, it’s called Aromes de Lyon.
What Does Arômes au Gène de Marc Taste Like?
Arômes au Gène de Marc is renowned for its strong and distinctive taste. The flavor profile of this cheese is quite complex, offering a bittersweet and spicy combination that sets it apart from other cheeses. It has an acute and pungent aroma, which is a result of being washed in ‘marc de raisin’, a type of grape pomace brandy.
The cheese’s taste is slightly salty with a hint of bitterness, adding to the overall complexity of its flavor. The marc used in its production permeates to the heart of the cheese, influencing both its aroma and taste significantly. This results in a rich flavor that is deeply tied to the marc’s own characteristics.
It’s also worth noting that Arômes au Gène de Marc bears some similarity in texture and taste to Saint-Félicien, particularly when Saint-Marcellin is cured in marc brandy for a month or more.
Arômes au Gène de Marc Tasting Notes
- Aroma: Has a very distinct aroma due to being washed in ‘marc de raisin’, a type of grape pomace brandy. This gives it a fruity and slightly acidic scent which is quite strong and distinctive.
- Flavor: Offers a complex flavor profile. It’s slightly salty with a hint of bitterness, adding to the overall complexity of its taste. The marc used in its production permeates the cheese, influencing both its aroma and taste significantly.
- Texture: The texture of the cheese is creamy and smooth.
- Aftertaste: The aftertaste of Arômes au Gène de Marc can be described as lingering and robust, with the flavors of the marc and the natural cheese flavors continuing to interplay after the initial taste.
- Pairings: This cheese pairs well with light red wines, such as Beaujolais. It also goes well on a cheese board, with fruits, or melted on bread.
What Pairs Well With Arômes au Gène de Marc?
Food that goes well with Arômes au Gène de Marc:
| Food Category | Specific Foods |
|---|---|
| Bread | Open-textured breads (like baguette or ciabatta) |
| Cheese | Immature cheeses such as Rigotte or St Marcellin |
| Fruits | A variety of fruits, especially those with some acidity or sweetness to balance the cheese’s flavors |
| Nuts | A variety of nuts, which can add a crunchy texture and complementary flavors |
Beverage that goes well with Arômes au Gène de Marc:
A close companion to wine, this cheese is an ideal pairing to a light Beaujolais-village or a sweet dessert wine such as Muscat de Beaumes de Venise.
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