Ossau Iraty is a traditional, unpasteurized, semi-soft cheese from the Basque Country, made from the milk of Bosco-Bearnaise sheep; a traditional Basque breed in the Western Pyrenees region.

Cheesemaker Stephan Chetrit only makes this AOC cheese from June to September. Every May, he takes his sheep to graze on the lush plains of the Pyrenees mountains. He and his wife make the cheese in a barn attached to a small mountain hut.

The taste of the cheese is full-bodied, medium-bodied and nutty with fruity notes. The pale cheese is soft under a hard natural rind.

Try the classic combination: Ossau Iratya and black cherry jam!

The cheese also pairs well with richer red wines.