Istara
(Sheep's milk, France)

This is one of the many raw milk cheeses referred to also as "Ossau-Iraty" because it is made according to the A.O.C rules established in 1980 for sheep's milk cheese in the French Pyrénées. Istara's semi-hard texture and slightly sharp, olive flavor make it one of our favorite Ossau-Iraty cheeses. Almost every customer who samples this cheese ends up taking a chunk home.


Pairings:
McQuade's Sundried tomato chutney

Liquid Pairings:
Syrah
Cabernet