Le Delice de Lizon 80g

Origin: Franche-Comté region, France 

Milk: Cow

Rennet Type: Animal rennet

Style: White mould

Classification: Artisan

Shelf Life: 7 - 10 days

Goes well with: Chardonnay, Champagne

Similar cheeses:Saint-Marcellin

While inspired by the famous Saint-Marcellin, Délice de Lizon represents a thoughtful adaptation. Because traditional Saint-Marcellin is protected and closely tied to its region and production methods, cheesemakers outside the area developed cheeses in a similar style, allowing the character of this beloved French cheese to be enjoyed in other regions.

The Origin of Saint-Marcellin

Saint-Marcellin is one of the historic cheeses of the Dauphiné region, dating back to at least the 15th century. The cheese takes its name from the town of Saint-Marcellin in Isère, where it was traditionally sold at local markets.

According to a well-known legend, the future King Louis XI was once attacked by a bear while hunting in the region. Two woodcutters saved him and offered him a small local cheese. After becoming king, Louis XI reportedly had this cheese regularly delivered to the royal court, helping spread its reputation beyond the region.

Originally produced from goat’s milk, Saint-Marcellin gradually evolved during the 19th and 20th centuries into the cow’s milk cheese we know today. Its popularity grew thanks to travelling merchants known as coquetiers, who distributed it widely throughout the Lyonnais region.

Today Saint-Marcellin holds IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) status, officially recognised in 2013, protecting its origin and traditional production area.

Texture and Flavour

Texture:
Soft, silky and delicate. As the cheese matures in its ceramic dish, the paste becomes increasingly creamy and spreadable.

Rind:
A fine white mould rind with a subtle geotrichum bloom, contributing to its slightly wrinkled surface and gentle earthy character.

Flavour:
Fresh and lactic with creamy dairy notes. The flavour recalls a ripe Brie, finishing with a delicate crème fraîche tang that keeps the cheese balanced and light.

How to Enjoy

Délice de Lizon is best enjoyed at room temperature, when its paste becomes beautifully soft.

Serve with:

• Fresh baguette or crusty sourdough

• A glass of Chardonnay or Champagne

• Simple accompaniments such as nuts or fresh fruit

Its creamy texture also makes it ideal for spreading directly on warm bread.

A Soft Mountain Delight

Délice de Lizon captures the spirit of Saint-Marcellin while expressing the terroir of Franche-Comté. Gentle, creamy and elegant, it is a cheese that rewards simplicity and invites slow enjoyment at the table.

Traditional Saint-Marcellin producers do not make pasteurised versions of the cheese. The IGP specification allows raw milk or sometimes thermised milk, but pasteurisation is not permitted within the designation.

Because of this, cheesemakers outside the protected region who wish to produce a similar style—particularly for export markets that require pasteurised milk—must create cheeses under different names. Délice de Lizon is one such interpretation: inspired by the style of Saint-Marcellin but produced independently in the Franche-Comté mountains.

Ingredients: Pasteurised cow's milk, salt, cultures, animal rennet.