When the word cheese is mentioned, most of us immediately think of France. We can't help it; it's a knee-jerk reaction. As excellent as are the hundreds of cheeses that originate from all corners of the globe, France is always the first country the comes to mind when discussing cheesemaking.<P>Our French Cheese Assortment captures a good bit of French cheese culture with the four cheeses listed below.

• Chevre by Couturier: This classic French goat cheese is quite fresh and spreadable. Formed in the shape of a log, enjoy this cheese on salads, as a snack, or with fruit for dessert. (4 oz)
• Camembert: This famous soft-ripened cheese from Normandie has a creamy interior beneath a fluffy (and edible) white rind. (8.8 oz)
• Tomme Brebis by Agour: From the Pyrennes region of France, this Basque cheese has a delicate bouquet, fruity aroma and slightly sweet flavor. Also known as Ossau-Iraty, it is made from 100% sheep's milk. (8 oz)
• Gruyère de Comté: Created by local villagers in alpine dairies called "Fruiteries", its milk comes only from Montbeliarde and Tachete de L'est cows. Each 70+ pound wheel of Comté is aged for at least six months, resulting in a sweet and nutty masterpiece. (8 oz)

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You sense it immediately - the heady aromas, the intensely fulfilling textures, and the vibrant flavors of Spain's artisan cheese tradition. Different milks, a diverse terrain, and unique cheesemaking techniques all play a role in the subtle differences in each cheese's color, texture, and flavor. We have selected four of our favorites for this sampler:<ul><li><b>Manchego - Spain's most famous cheese, made entirely from pure La Mancha sheep's milk. Manchego is prized for its rich, complex flavor and its satisfyingly grainy texture. <li><b>Mahon - This firm cow's milk cheese comes from the Balearic Island of Menorca in the Mediterranean. This version has been aged for three months, developing a rich tanginess and fragrant aroma.

Idiazabal - Smooth, rich and satisfyingly sharp, Idiazabal is a smoked sheep's milk cheese that gives off a warming rustic scent. It is the quintessential cheese of the Basque country in Northern Spain.

Murcia al Vino - This 100% goat's milk cheese from Murcia is bathed in red Spanish wine, making this product a wine-and-cheese party all by itself!This assortment includes four 1/2 pound cuts of cheese.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.<P><font color="red"><B>This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please <a href = "prodview.aspx?prod=AG977">click here.

The world's most famous melting cheese, Raclette is made in the Alps on both sides of the French-Swiss border. The French version is perhaps a bit softer than Swiss Raclette, but the two taste very similar. Raclette has a semi-soft interior dotted with small holes and a rosy inedible rind. Eaten as a table cheese, Raclette has a smooth, creamy taste that is neither too salty nor sharp. However, our French Raclette tends to have a strong, pungent aroma that is not for the timid. This cheese is traditionally melted (a half wheel is placed in a fireplace, then the melted top surface is continuously scraped off) and layered atop boiled potatoes, pickles, fresh vegetables and sliced meats. Check out our recipes and try it for yourself!

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 12 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.<li>Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Fondue is a traditional Alpine specialty, blending the distinct flavors of three classic melting cheeses: Emmentaler, Gruyere, and Appenzeller. Careful amounts of white wine, Kirsch brandy and special spices are then added to create a delicious hot meal. With its bold flavor and creamy texture, fondue is perfect for a main meal or as an appetizer, and is always a hit when the weather turns cold. This set of gourmet cheeses includes the correct ratios to make a classic cheese fondue (see recipe).<P><font color="red">This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

Until the 19th Century this perennial favorite was known as Valais. Taking its modern name from the French verb racler (to scrape), Raclette is now one of the most popular mountain cheeses worldwide. Made from whole, unpasteurized cow's milk, this raclette is typically aged three to four months. Smoother than gruyere, Raclette has a creamy and supple texture with fruity undertones that intensify when melted. A little firmer than its French counterpart, our Swiss Raclette is great served with Bunderfleisch or cured ham. Traditionally served with kirsch or beer.<ul><li>Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.

Photo depicts half of a 10 lb. wheel.

We cut and wrap this item by the pound.

Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

This Italian cream cheese is a native of the Lombardy region of Italy. It is an extremely smooth, slightly sweet fresh whose best-known use is in tiramisus.

Grana Padano is produced in the same style as parmigiano cheese. This Italian cheese is an essential part of Italian cuisine and may be grated or served as a wonderful table cheese.Cows Milk

Gruyere has a delightfully nutty, spicy, full flavor. Perfect for a table cheese, melted into sandwiches or baked potatoes and famous in fondue.

Ricotta Salata, this is an Italian cheese made from 100% sheep's milk. Characteristic of Southern Italy, it is enjoyable for cooking, salads or on its own and is available in semi-soft form or hard, which is mostly used for grating.

Stravecchio Oro del Tempo is a superior, 22-month aged Grana Padano produced by Agriform near Venice. This masterpiece compares beautifully with its better-known cousin Parmigiano Reggiano. The flavor of Stravecchio is intense and complex, with fruity overtones that evoke pineapple or strawberry, depending on the season. Like all precious things, every Stravecchio cheese is one of a kind, and each wheel is branded with a unique serial number. Agriform tests the quality of each wheel of Stravecchio every week until the twentieth month of aging. The end result of this rigorous testing process is that only the cheeses that deserve to become prime Grana Padano Stravecchio are stamped with the certificate of origin and guarantee.

• Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.<li>Wheel is 80 lb. form of cheese.<li>We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.