P'tit Basque is a handmade sheep's milk cheese from the Pyrenees Mountains, the region that straddles France and Spain. Made by Istara using the same traditional methods shepherds once used with leftover curds from milking their sheep, this cheese has a very rich flavor thanks to the high fat content of sheep's milk. Aged just 70 days, it develops a semi-firm, smooth texture that is sliceable with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

The flavor is mild and sweet with nutty and tangy notes and lingering caramel undertones, much like a milder, creamier version of Manchego. The rind is coated with a thin layer of wax or plastic to keep the cheese moist and mold-free, and should be removed before eating. Each wheel weighs approximately 1.3 to 1.5 pounds.

P'tit Basque is versatile in the kitchen and melts beautifully. It works well as a substitute for Gruyere or Swiss in grilled sandwiches like croque monsieur and patty melts, can be grated in place of cheddar in macaroni and cheese, and makes luxurious ruffles with a vegetable peeler for salads. On a cheese board, it pairs excellently with Spanish chorizo, stone fruits, marcona almonds, rustic bread, and fresh dark cherries or cherry jam. This cheese complements big red wines like Rioja, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Beaujolais, and Viognier, as well as dry Basque cider.