Saint Nectaire is an ancient French gourmet cheese from the mountains of the Auvergne.
The cheese is made in large round flat discs. It has a grayish rind with light yellow or reddish patches. The supple paste is pale gold in color and becomes almost runny as it matures. It has a really earthy aroma.
The paste alone has a sweet and grassy aroma and this is repeated in the flavor which is only slightly farmyard like. The cheese is firm, though supple, with a moldy smell and a mild flavor.
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.