A guide to Selles-sur-Cher — the ash-coated Loire Valley goat cheese. Its gentle flavor, distinctive dark rind, and how to enjoy it.
Selles-sur-Cher is one of the gentlest and most elegant of the Loire Valley's famous goat cheeses — a small, ash-coated disc with a mild, nutty, lactic flavor. Less assertive than some of its cousins, it's a lovely introduction to ash-rinded chèvre and a refined addition to any cheese board.
What Selles-sur-Cher Is
Selles-sur-Cher is a Protected Designation of Origin (AOP) goat's-milk cheese from the Loire Valley in central France, named after the town of Selles-sur-Cher. It's a small, flat, truncated-cone shape, made from raw goat's milk and coated in a layer of salted vegetable ash. It belongs to the celebrated family of Loire goat cheeses alongside Valençay, Crottin de Chavignol, and others.
The Ash Coating
The cheese is made in a small, flat, truncated-cone shape that ages quickly because of its modest size, changing character noticeably over a few weeks. Like several Loire goat cheeses, Selles-sur-Cher is dusted with powdered charcoal (vegetable ash), giving it a distinctive blue-gray to charcoal rind. Historically, the ash helped dry the cheese's surface, protect it, and aid ripening. As the cheese ages, a fine natural mold develops over the ash, creating a delicate gray-blue rind that contrasts beautifully with the bright white paste inside.
Flavor and Texture
Selles-sur-Cher has a soft, fine, slightly dense paste, bright white, with a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The flavor is mild and well-balanced — fresh and lactic with a gentle goaty tang, nutty notes, and a subtle earthiness from the ash rind. It's notably more delicate and less pungent than sharper aged goat cheeses, which makes it especially approachable while still being characterful.
How to Serve Selles-sur-Cher
Selles-sur-Cher is best enjoyed at room temperature on a cheese board, where its dark rind and white interior look elegant, served with crusty bread, fruit, and honey. It's also lovely crumbled over salads, baked briefly until warm and soft on toast, or paired beautifully with the crisp white wines of the Loire. Its mild, refined flavor makes it a pleasing choice for those easing into goat cheeses, as well as for experienced cheese lovers who appreciate its balance and subtlety.
Pairings
Selles-sur-Cher pairs classically with Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, such as Sancerre and Touraine wines, whose crisp acidity complements the cheese's tang. On the plate, honey, figs, walnuts, and crusty bread make natural companions.
Buying and Storing
Selles-sur-Cher is sold as small ash-coated discs. Choose one that's fresh and supple, or slightly aged for more depth. Keep it wrapped in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before serving. As a soft goat cheese, it's best eaten within a week or so.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dark coating on Selles-sur-Cher?
A dusting of salted vegetable ash, which historically helped dry and protect the cheese and now gives it a distinctive gray-blue