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Napoleon’s contribution to the cheese world |
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Friday, 12 October 2007 |
Valençay AOC is a goat’s milk cheese
produced mainly in the Berry
region in the Indre. It won its AOC
status in 1998. Like all good
cheeses it has a story. It is named
after the famed Château of
Valençay where Talleyrand, in his
day, was the châtelain. Napoleon is
reputed to have stayed there on his
return to France after the drubbing
he got waging battle in Egypt. At
dinner, the local cheese was served,
but seeing its pyramid shape,
Boney became so incensed that he
drew his sword and cut off the top.
Since then, the legend goes, the
cheese has kept its beheaded
pyramid shape.
Valençay cheese weighs 200 to
250gm, is ivory-coloured on the
inside with a natural rind that is
salted and coated in charcoal.
Uncooked and unpressed, matured
for three weeks, it has a traditional
‘goaty’ aroma but tastes smooth and nutty
with a long finish.
Ideally the accompaniment would be a
Valençay wine – red, white or even rosé – but
try a good gutsy red wine like a Cornas and
you will not be disappointed.
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Downtime 
