How to Taste and Pair Ossau-Iraty with Wines and Jams?

09/08/2025 | News

Sheep’s milk cheese PDO from the Basque Country and Béarn, Ossau-Iraty is renowned for its subtle taste and smooth texture. Tasting it becomes a truly gourmet experience when paired with the right wines and jams.

THE OSSAU-IRATY PDO

An emblematic cheese of Béarn and the Basque Country, Ossau-Iraty is made exclusively from sheep’s milk. It has enjoyed official recognition since 1980 with the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), and since 1996 with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) at the European level.

Two know-hows coexist: farmhouse producers offer a farmhouse Ossau-Iraty, made from raw milk, either Basque or Béarnese in style; while cheese dairies produce Ossau-Iraty under specific brand names, using sheep’s milk collected from local farmers, expressly destined for this transformation.

Delicate yet distinctive, this white, smooth-textured cheese delights with its aromatic nuances. Its flavors range from milky sweetness to notes of hazelnut, intensifying according to the method of production and length of maturation, thus offering a unique gustatory richness.

Ossau-Iraty is much more than just a cheese: it is an invitation to discover the richness of the Basque terroir. Paired with the right wine and a fruity jam, it becomes a moment of authentic conviviality, perfect for enhancing your meals with family or friends.

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Ossau-Iraty reveals its full character when enjoyed at room temperature: it is therefore recommended to take it out of the refrigerator about thirty minutes before serving.

Its aromatic palette varies depending on the aging: when young, it develops milky, delicate notes; when more mature, it gains strength and reveals hints of hazelnut and dried fruits (source: INAO). Sliced thinly or cut into cubes, it is equally delightful as an appetizer or at the end of a meal.

To enhance its flavors, Ossau-Iraty pairs beautifully with supple red wines such as Irouléguy or Madiran, as well as with sweet white wines.

On the sweet side, the most traditional pairing remains black cherry jam from Itxassou, which offers the iconic sweet-and-savory contrast of the Basque Country. Other combinations are just as delicious: fig jam, apricot jam, or even a drizzle of honey for a refined and indulgent touch.

Discover our Ossau-Iraty PDO sheep’s cheeses at this link.