Saulzais

1. History

The Saulzais is named after the commune of Saulzais-le-Potier in the Cher department. It has been produced since 1996 by the Le Brebis du Berry farm's cheese dairy, the only one in the region making sheep's milk cheeses. This rare cheese owes its fame to its confidential production and exceptional quality.

2. Physical characteristics

Saulzais is a farm-made cheese from raw sheep's milk, with a soft paste and natural rind. It comes in a cylindrical or disc shape, weighing about 280 to 300 grams. Its thin rind is cream-colored, slightly bumpy with a discreet white down, while the paste is white, smooth, dense, and slightly chalky at the core.

3. Taste profile

On the nose, it offers scents of fresh milk and hazelnut. In the mouth, it is mild, fresh, and fragrant, with fruity citrus notes that are tangy, a good length, and a discreet bitterness at the finish. It develops more character with aging and is best enjoyed warm to reveal its full subtlety.

4. Production zone and period

Produced exclusively at Le Brebis du Berry farm in Saulzais-le-Potier, Cher department (18), in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The sheep graze on local meadows and receive hay in winter. Production is artisanal and farm-based, rooted in this Berry terroir.

5. Certification

Saulzais is a raw milk farm cheese without AOC, AOP, or IGP certification. It holds the Fromage Fermier label and highlights local cheesemaking traditions without protected designation. Its rarity stems from unique craftsmanship and limited output.