Charles Arnaud Reserve Comte DOP (18 mth)

Charles Arnaud Réserve Comté DOP (18 Months)

A true expression of Franche-Comté’s cheesemaking heritage, Charles Arnaud Réserve Comté is crafted using 530 litres of milk from 30 cows to produce just one wheel. Only two cow breeds are permitted for Comté production—the local Montbéliarde and Simmental—ensuring a rich, high-quality milk.

Herds remain small (under 15 cows per farm), and farmers have traditionally formed cooperative dairies, known as fruitières, where the cheeses are made before being sold to affineurs (maturers). Charles Arnaud is regarded as one of the finest affineurs in the region, maturing each wheel for a minimum of 18 months in the historic underground tunnels of Fort des Rousses, a 160-year-old Napoleonic fort repurposed for cheese aging.

Every wheel is dense in texture, complex in flavour and aroma, and uniquely shaped by the season, fruitière, and individual maturation path. Despite these variations, all exhibit the hallmark qualities of great Comté—intense nuttiness, a buttery depth, and a smooth, lingering finish.

Tasting Notes

• Texture: Dense and smooth, yet yielding
• Flavour: Deep, complex nuttiness with buttery and savoury undertones
• Aroma: Aromatic and rich, varying subtly with seasonality

Serving Suggestions

• Best enjoyed on a cheeseboard, paired with toasted nuts, dried fruits, and fresh baguette
• Ideal for cooking, melting beautifully in fondues, gratins, and creamy sauces
• Pairs excellently with Jura whites (Vin Jaune, Savagnin) or light-bodied reds like Pinot Noir

Product Details:

• Milk: Cow (Montbéliarde & Simmental)
• Style: Semi-hard
• Rennet: Animal
• Origin: Jura, France
• Producer: Charles Arnaud

About the Producer

Charles Arnaud is one of the most respected affineurs in Franche-Comté, specialising in the careful maturation of Comté in the deep stone tunnels of Fort des Rousses. This unique aging environment allows for the development of exceptional flavour depth, consistency, and quality, ensuring that each wheel of Charles Arnaud Réserve Comté is a benchmark of excellence in the region.