Chateau de Bourgogne and brie are both soft, creamy cheeses from France. They look quite similar on the outside with white, bloomy rinds.
However, there are some notable differences between these two cheeses that are important to understand.
What Is Chateau de Bourgogne Cheese
Chateau de Bourgogne is a decadent triple cream cheese made in the Burgundy region of France. It has a butterfat content of at least 75%, making it extremely rich, soft and creamy.
Here are some key facts about Chateau de Bourgogne:
- Origin: Burgundy, France
- Milk Type: Pasteurized Cow's Milk
- Classification: Triple Cream (minimum 75% butterfat)
- Rind: White, bloomy
- Texture: Smooth, silky, creamy
- Aroma: Creamy, buttery
- Flavor Profile: Rich, buttery, slightly mushroomy
Chateau de Bourgogne has a soft, spreadable texture much like whipped butter. It melts in your mouth, with flavors of fresh cream and butter shining through. The rind provides a nice salty, tangy contrast to balance out the rich interior paste.
What Is Traditional Brie Cheese
Brie refers to a family of soft-ripened cheeses originating from the French region also called Brie. There are two main types of traditional Brie cheese with protected designations of origin:
- Brie de Meaux - From the town of Meaux in Brie
- Brie de Melun - From the nearby town of Melun in Brie
Additionally, Brie is a style of cheese produced in Brie and surrounding regions like Brie de Coulommiers, Brie de Provins, Brie de Nangis, and more.
Here are some characteristics of Brie cheeses:
- Origin: Brie region, France
- Milk Type: Usually Cow's Milk
- Classification: Double Cream (60-75% butterfat)
- Rind: White, bloomy rind
- Texture: Soft, creamy, spreadable
- Aroma: Cream, mushrooms, cellar
- Flavor Profile: Tangy, earthy, mushroomy
Compared to triple creams like Chateau de Bourgogne, traditional bries have a slightly lower fat content resulting in a firmer texture and more pronounced flavors.
Main Differences Between the Cheeses
So while Chateau de Bourgogne and bries appear quite similar, there are some notable ways in which they differ:
1. Fat Content and Texture
The main difference between these cheeses comes down to fat content and texture.
Chateau de Bourgogne is a decadent triple cream with a minimum 75% butterfat. This gives it an incredibly silky, creamy texture described as smooth as whipped butter.
Bries are double cream cheeses, with 60-75% fat. They tend to be slightly firmer in texture than Chateau de Bourgogne and other triple creams. While still soft and creamy, traditional brie has a more dense, clay-like paste.
2. Flavor Profiles
The higher fat content of Chateau de Bourgogne also leads to differences in flavor profiles between the cheeses.
While still tangy from the rind and earthy like brie, Chateau de Bourgogne focuses more on rich, buttery flavors from the triple cream base. Hints of cream and butter shine through without as much tang or earthiness as a brie.
Conversely, traditional bries highlight sharper, more pungent flavors like mushroom, grass, nuts or cellar character. Their leaner paste adds complexity and bite that balances out the creaminess nicely.
3. Production and Availability
Chateau de Bourgogne is produced by Fromagerie Delin exclusively in Burgundy, France. So it offers characteristics specific to that terroir.
Meanwhile, there are many producers crafting traditional brie cheeses like Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun within the designated Brie region. And various dairies internationally also make great brie-style cheeses.
So while Chateau de Bourgogne availability is quite limited, there are numerous options for purchasing quality brie cheeses from around the globe.
Key Takeaway: While Chateau de Bourgogne and brie appear similar in looks, Chateau de Bourgogne is much richer in texture and flavor as a triple cream cheese versus the leaner, tangier profile of traditional brie.
Best Uses for Each Cheese Type
Due to the differences highlighted above, Chateau de Bourgogne and brie excel in slightly different culinary applications.
Ideal Uses for Chateau de Bourgogne
The ultra-rich, spreadable texture of Chateau de Bourgogne makes it a sensational option to:
- Enjoy raw with breads, crackers or even fruit preserves
- Bake into pastries like brie en croute to ooze decadently
- Pair with sparkling wines like Champagne that cut through the fat
Its lavish triple cream base means it also holds up beautifully when melted into dips, soups or fondues.
Prime Uses for Traditional Brie
Given brie's leaner texture and more pronounced flavors, it suits:
- Cooking applications to develop nutty, browned flavors
- Pairing with full-bodied wines and beers
- Serving with hearty breads and fruit pairings
- Melting while retaining some structure, unlike ultra-soft triple creams
Brie also suits aging longer to intensify its sharpness. Overripe brie (even a little ammoniated) can be delightful for bold cheese lovers.
Availability and Prices
Chateau de Bourgogne is a specialty cheese with limited availability, given production centered exclusively in Burgundy. So expect to pay premium prices for this rare triple cream.
Prices for an 8 ounce wheel generally range $15-25. But quality brie-style cheeses are more accessibly priced given numerous worldwide producers.
Brie de Meaux or Brie de Melun imported from France can cost more since they are name-protected. However, quality brie alternatives often sell for $8-15 per wheel.
Key Takeaway: Due to its exclusivity and specialty status, Chateau de Bourgogne wheels demand higher prices than more widely available brie-style cheeses in the global marketplace.
Are They Worth the Price Differences?
For special occasions or cheese indulging, Chateau de Bourgogne provides an utterly decadent experience worth splurging on. Its lavish texture and buttery roundness cannot be replicated.
However, on a day-to-day basis, quality brie cheeses deliver excellent value at more affordable prices. Their diversity and rustic complexity never disappoint.
So ultimately it comes down to personal preference and budget considerations when deciding if Chateau de Bourgogne is worthwhile versus accessible brie alternatives.
Key Takeaway: Chateau de Bourgogne offers a uniquely luxurious triple cream experience. But traditional brie cheeses provide wonderful flavor diversity at lower price points for everyday enjoyment.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
Here are some top tips for serving either Chateau de Bourgogne or traditional brie:
- Let it ripen - Allow the cheeses to come to room temperature over 2+ hours to soften for peak texture. The buttery notes will sing!
- Add crunch - Pair with toasted nuts, seeds, crackers or bread to offset the richness.
- Accentuate flavors - Chateau de Bourgogne loves fruit preserves or honey that echo its sweetness. While brie pairs beautifully with charcuteries that don't overpower.
- Consider beverages - These creamy cheeses call for something bright and bubbly like sparkling wine. But malbec, cabernet or brown ales also work delightfully.
Finally, embrace that funk factor as these cheeses age. Some mushroomy or cellar character adds delightful complexity!
FAQs
What is a triple cream cheese?
A triple cream cheese has a minimum butterfat content of 75%. Extra cream is added during production to enrich it beyond typical double cream cheeses like brie that have 60-75% fat. So triple creams like Chateau de Bourgogne are among the most luxuriously rich and creamy cheeses you'll enjoy!
How long should you age brie?
Brie is actually best enjoyed quite young and creamy in texture. Aging longer than 3-5 weeks leads to a chalkier interior and intensified flavors that not everyone enjoys. But connoisseurs often love the punches of an extra mature brie! Ultimately personal preference rules when determining ideal ripeness.
Can you freeze these cheeses?
Freezing is not recommended for high moisture soft cheeses like double and triple creams. The delicate texture changes upon thawing, turning crumbly instead of silky and smooth. It's always best to buy only what you'll eat within a week or two and keep refrigerated. But if you do freeze and use for cooking later, that moisture loss may not impact enjoyment.
What is the difference between Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun?
Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun are actually quite similar in overall style - soft, bloomy rind cow's milk cheeses with earthy, mushroom notes. Their main differences come from specific terroir influences since Brie de Meaux is produced closer to Paris while Brie de Melun originates farther south near the town of Melun. So they reflect slightly different regional characteristics.
Conclusion
While Chateau de Bourgogne and traditional bries share similarities of a white, bloomy rind encasing creamy interiors, they differ notably in their precise fat contents, textures and overall flavors.
Chateau de Bourgogne delivers an utterly lavish triple cream experience that explains its exclusive status and price point.
Quality bries provide wonderful diversity and accessibility as more modestly priced everyday pleasures.