Roquefort: a tribute to the "King of cheeses"
On 26 July 1925, a text signed by the President of the Republic, Gaston Doumergue, gave Roquefort the privilege of being protected by a designation of origin, the first granted to a cheese. This was the result of resolute action by the ‘Syndicat aveyronnais des fabricants de fromage de Roquefort’ and the ‘Fédération des éleveurs de brebis’, tired of seeing questionable imitations of the star of the Aveyron cheese industry entering the market. The result, too, of the international reputation of this veritable emblem of French gastronomy, adorned with its legendary blue-green marbling.
Faithful to himself
The AO became a PDO in 1996, yet Roquefort cheese remains resolutely true to itself, continuing to favour short distribution circuits, the preservation of landscapes and know-how, and a love of maturing. Tradition does not exclude the use of modern communication tools, as demonstrated by the complete website set up by the ‘Confédération Générale des Producteurs de Lait de Brebis et des Industriels de Roquefort’, which provides all the information you need on the various steps along the divine path that leads from the ‘Lacaune’ sheep to the famous creamy, melting, ivory-coloured cheese.
Attending the Cheese and Dairy Products Show!
Roquefort, the only blue-veined sheep's milk PDO, continues to be exported all over the world (105 countries) thanks to its 8 dairies and 7 manufacturers, including several exhibitors at the latest Cheese and Dairy Products Show (Carles, Gabriel Coulet, Le Vieux Berger (Maison Combes, Vernières Frères...).
With, inevitably, a rather special status. ‘Normally, there's no such thing as a dairy that doesn't have Roquefort in its range, it just doesn't exist. You can choose whether or not to make a Langres, for example, but you can't do without Roquefort,’ says Patrick Soncourt, Sales Director of Vernières Frères. For the producers of this deliciously obligatory cheese, the Cheese and Dairy Products Show remains a special occasion: ‘For us, it's the ideal opportunity to meet all our customers, and in particular our customers from the creamery and cheese shops in Paris. When we welcome them to our stand, it's like welcoming them to our home. It's not the same as when we go to their home, as they generally have more time’, adds Patrick Soncourt.
Roquefort celebrates
While waiting for the next Cheese and Dairy Products Show, Roquefort producers will soon have a great opportunity to demonstrate their know-how: the 3rd edition of Roquefort en fête, to be held on 7 and 8 June 2025. ‘2 days of festivities, encounters and gastronomy around Roquefort in a breathtaking landscape’: that's the (tempting) promise made by the event organisers for these two days of fun.
Find the full programme on the 'Roquefort en fête' website.