We have exciting news to share: we are adding Maison Agour cheeses to our catalogue — one of the most recognised and awarded dairies in the French Basque Country.
A Dairy with 40 Years of History
Maison Agour was founded in 1981 in Hélette, in the heart of the French Basque Country, as a collective project among local shepherds. Four decades later, it has become a European benchmark for artisan cheese, with an unchanged philosophy: high-quality milk collected daily from local farmers, master cheesemakers with decades of experience, and slow, careful ageing in their own cellars.
Their international awards speak for themselves:
- 🏆 2× Best Cheese in the World at the World Cheese Awards (2006 & 2011)
- 🥇 Gold Medal — World Cheese Awards 2023
- 🥇 Gold Medal — Mondial du Fromage 2023
- 🥈 Silver Medal — World Championship Cheese Contest 2024
A Complete Range for Any Menu or Shop
What we love most about Agour is the breadth of their range. We carry sheep's milk cheeses — including the Ossau-Iraty with Protected Designation of Origin, the only PDO sheep's cheese from the Pyrenees —, goat's milk, cow's milk and mixed cheeses. And for those looking to impress, their Urdina blue sheep's cheese is an exceptional addition to any cheese board or menu.
We offer various formats suited to restaurants, gourmet shops and distributors, from smaller pieces to larger volumes.
A living, natural cheese — and that's a good sign
Agour cheeses are handcrafted, with a natural rind and no colourings or preservatives. That means the cheese is alive — and sometimes a light surface mould may appear. This is completely normal and even a good sign: it shows that the product is natural. In some cases, if the rind has a small crack or imperfection, the mould may penetrate into the inside of the cheese. This does not affect the quality or the flavour of the product in any way. To remove any surface mould, simply rub the rind gently.
A short best-before date — not because it goes off, but to enjoy it at its best
Agour cheeses have a relatively short best-before date. This does not mean the cheese is bad after that date — it means that Agour believes it should be enjoyed at its optimal point of maturation, when all its nuances and aromas are at their finest. After the indicated date, the cheese remains perfectly edible, although its flavour profile may continue to evolve over time.
Why Are We Adding It to Our Catalogue?
We are adding Agour to our catalogue because it is an excellent dairy and we want to keep offering quality new products to our clients.
To view the full Agour range, click here. If you wish to see the prices, please register on our website to gain access.