Marcel Petit La Couronne | France | Raw Cow's Milk | Franche-Comté Alpine Cheese, 18+ Months Aged
This is Marcel Petit's crown jewel—handpicked wheels that show exceptional promise during their initial ageing. Only the finest Comté-style wheels earn the "La Couronne" designation, meaning you're getting the best of the best from one of France's most respected affineurs.
Flavour: Complex layers of roasted nuts, dried fruit, and that distinctive crystalline crunch that comes from proper long ageing. Think caramelised onions, brown butter, and a hint of tropical fruit sweetness.
Best for: Special occasions, serious cheese boards, or when you want to understand why French Alpine cheeses command respect worldwide. Pairs beautifully with aged wines or just enjoy on its own.
Marcel Petit has been selecting and ageing exceptional wheels since the 1960s—this is their expertise bottled into one extraordinary cheese.
This is Marcel Petit's crown jewel—handpicked wheels that show exceptional promise during their initial ageing. Only the finest Comté-style wheels earn the "La Couronne" designation, meaning you're getting the best of the best from one of France's most respected affineurs.
Flavour: Complex layers of roasted nuts, dried fruit, and that distinctive crystalline crunch that comes from proper long ageing. Think caramelised onions, brown butter, and a hint of tropical fruit sweetness.
Best for: Special occasions, serious cheese boards, or when you want to understand why French Alpine cheeses command respect worldwide. Pairs beautifully with aged wines or just enjoy on its own.
Marcel Petit has been selecting and ageing exceptional wheels since the 1960s—this is their expertise bottled into one extraordinary cheese.
This is Marcel Petit's crown jewel—handpicked wheels that show exceptional promise during their initial ageing. Only the finest Comté-style wheels earn the "La Couronne" designation, meaning you're getting the best of the best from one of France's most respected affineurs.
Flavour: Complex layers of roasted nuts, dried fruit, and that distinctive crystalline crunch that comes from proper long ageing. Think caramelised onions, brown butter, and a hint of tropical fruit sweetness.
Best for: Special occasions, serious cheese boards, or when you want to understand why French Alpine cheeses command respect worldwide. Pairs beautifully with aged wines or just enjoy on its own.
Marcel Petit has been selecting and ageing exceptional wheels since the 1960s—this is their expertise bottled into one extraordinary cheese.
What Makes It Special
Marcel Petit doesn't just age cheese—they're affineurs, the French equivalent of wine sommeliers but for cheese. They hand-select young wheels based on texture, aroma, and potential, then age them in their own caves until they reach peak flavour.
The "La Couronne" selection means this wheel showed exceptional character early on. Amino acid development during extended ageing creates those satisfying crunch crystals whilst beneficial bacteria work slowly to develop complex savoury notes.
Taste and Texture
Paste: Golden yellow, firm but yielding, scattered with tyrosine crystals that provide satisfying texture contrast.
Flavour Profile:
Roasted hazelnuts and almonds
Caramelised onions and brown butter
Dried tropical fruits (mango, pineapple)
Long, complex finish with hints of beef stock
The fat content (around 34%) gives rich mouthfeel whilst the 18+ month ageing develops umami depth that justifies the premium pricing.
Pairing Logic
This cheese's complexity needs partners that won't compete. Think complementary rather than contrasting flavours.
Wine Pairings:
White: Aged Chardonnay, Jura Chardonnay, or Viognier
Red: Pinot Noir, light Côtes du Rhône, or Beaujolais Cru
Sparkling: Crémant de Jura or quality Champagne
Non-alcoholic:
Tea: Oolong or aged pu-erh—both have the complexity to match
Kombucha: Dry, funky varieties that echo the cheese's fermentation
Apple cider: Traditional, dry styles from Tasmania or Victoria
Perfect Companions:
Toasted walnuts or hazelnuts
Quince paste or fig jam
Crusty sourdough or walnut bread
Dark chocolate (70%+ cacao)
Serving Suggestions
Temperature: Room temperature—at least 30 minutes out of the fridge to let those fats soften and aromatics develop.
Cutting: Use a proper cheese knife; this cheese deserves respect. Cut into generous wedges to showcase the paste and crystal development.
Storage: Wrap in cheese paper or parchment, store in the vegetable crisper. Will keep 3-4 weeks once cut, but flavour is best within the first week.
Why It's Worth It
You're not just buying cheese—you're buying decades of expertise in selection and ageing. Marcel Petit's reputation means this wheel was chosen from hundreds, then aged to perfection in caves specifically designed for optimal flavour development.
The 18+ month ageing process can't be rushed or replicated—it requires perfect temperature, humidity, and turning schedules. When you factor in the skill, time, and selection process, the price reflects genuine artisan value.