Ossau-Iraty-Brebris is not the only hard sheep's milk cheese from France, but the most famous one it is. A French traditional gourmet cheese that is produced in wheels and that is AOC controlled as Ossau-Iraty-Brebis.
It has a firm, semi hard texture that is perfect for grating and a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. The rind is smooth grayish beige. The cheese is pale yellow in color with a supple texture with scattered small holes.
It has a distinctive, sour, wine-like aroma with a touch of the farm and a really tangy, spicy taste. Lemons and leaf mold remain in the lingering flavor which is sweet, salty, and mellow.
This gourmet cheese maturation time is between four and six months and is at its best in the fifth month, when this gourmet cheese develops a nutty refined taste.
In order to comply with US FDA regulation for export to the USA the maturation of this cheese has been extended to over 60 days.