Affinage—the art of aging cheese—is crucial to French cheese culture:
The Affineur's Art
- Selects young cheeses with potential
- Controls environment precisely
- Develops relationships with producers
- May age cheeses longer than producers would
Modern Affinage
- Women increasingly entering this traditional field
- Urban affinage caves in major cities
- Technology assists but doesn't replace expertise
- Some affineurs specialize in developing vegetarian lines