Cathare

Cathare cheese takes its name and inspiration from the Cathar movement, a medieval religious group once deeply rooted in the Languedoc region of southern France. Known for its independence and resistance to authority, Languedoc’s past is full of dramatic turns, including the Albigensian Crusade which left a lasting cultural imprint. The cheese’s distinctive Occitan cross stamped in ash on its surface is a nod to this rebellious heritage—more than decoration, it’s a quiet tribute to a fiercely proud land with a story to tell.

This soft goat’s cheese is shaped into a compact disc and cloaked in a fine ash rind. Just beneath, the paste is dense and creamy, offering a clean, fresh taste with gentle citrus notes. As it ripens over a few weeks, the texture softens slightly and the taste deepens—developing herbal hints and a subtle goatiness that lingers pleasantly without overpowering.

Pair it with Côtes Catalanes IGP, Fragment, Domaine Paul Meunier-Centernach, 2022. Grown just a short drive from where the cheese is made, this white balances brightness and texture in a way that mirrors the cheese’s evolution—together, they create a pairing that’s both grounded in the region and full of character.