Cheesemonger Selection

Le Riopelle de l'Isle

Un hommage au célèbre peintre

The Riopelle de l'Isle departs from most hand-crafted cheese from Quebec, and from the rest of Canada for that matter, where we find mostly firm cheeses with a washed rind. The Riopelle de l'Isle is quite different because it develops what is known as a ‘bloom' - a thick downy white mould rind. The center is creamy and smooth, reminiscent of rustic triple cream cheeses, with a lightly acidic taste and chalkiness that provide both flavour and texture. Tasting of fresh milk and cream with just a hint of butter, it is positively enchanting.

The Riopelle is as distinctive as the island from which it originates: the Isle aux Grues. The dairy co-operative which produces the Riopelle is also the creator of a high-quality Cheddar, of a soft dough cheese with lots of character called Mi-Carême, as well as the recently developed Tomme de Grosse Île. The Riopelle is named after the island's most famous resident, the world-renowned painter Jean-Paul Riopelle, who just a few months before he passed away had agreed to lend his name to the cheese as well as have one of his masterpieces adorn the label.