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Description: Le Maréchal was created in the 1990s by the Famille Rapin in Grange-près-Marnand in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.
Description:
Le Maréchal was created in the 1990s by the Famille Rapin in Grange-près-Marnand in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The family had traditionally produced Le Gruyere but decided to change in 1994 and converted their dairy from Le Gruyere to their creation, Le Maréchal.
Le Maréchal is named for the family's great-grandfather, and his likeness is on the label. Even before we knew this, one of my coworkers always called him "grandpa" because she said he just looked like a jolly, friendly grandpa! It sounds like he was a hardworking community member, and I'm sure he would be pleased to have such a great product named after him.
Le Maréchal is made from raw cow's milk collected from 13 farmers in the Broye region. They deliver milk to the dairy twice daily, and the cheese is always produced on the same day the milk is collected. The cheese is made into wheels that are roughly 6 kilos, and they are aged for at least 4 months. It is rubbed with organic herbs grown on the dairy's property during aging. The blend is proprietary but includes wild thyme. The herbs give the outside crust of the cheese a dark colour that makes it quite distinctive compared to other mountain cheeses.
The dairy has been pushing for solar power and has just increased its capacity. It has also enlarged its ageing facility to accommodate 22,000 Le Maréchal wheels. That's a lot of tasty cheese all in one place.
The dairy has made a push for solar power and has just increased its capacity. They have enlarged their ageing facility to accommodate 22,000 Le Maréchal wheels. That's a lot of tasty cheese all in one place.
Tasting Notes:
Le Maréchal is an interesting cheese because although it does have some of the typical nutty flavours you would expect to taste in a mountain cheese, it has a unique savoury note that is hard to pin down. This style of cheese often has a little sweetness, which I don't find as evident in Le Maréchal.
The paste of the cheese is still somewhat creamy because the wheels haven't aged to the point where they have started to lose any moisture. It can be quite different depending on the season, from creamy and lightly grassy to quite funky at times. The crust is thin and edible, although I'm unsure if that adds to the enjoyment; that's up to you.
I feel like Le Maréchal is a great introduction to this style of cheese. It's interesting enough for a real cheese lover, but it's still a great option for someone just starting on their cheese journey.
Pairing:
I think Le Maréchal is a great snacking cheese. Just a piece on its own as a pick-me-up is perfect.
I do think it's a great addition to a platter of cheese as well. It plays nicely with other cheeses and isn't so strong that it overpowers more delicate flavours.
The slightly savoury personality of Le Maréchal means it pairs well with a fruit spread like cherry or fig or something sweet and salty like a peach or pepper chutney. Something about the texture and taste together seems to cry out for a grainy cracker or whole-grain bread.
GOW Suggested Wine Pairings:
