What Is an Affineur? Discover the Craft Behind Cheese Maturation
You’ve probably heard the term and wondered: what exactly is an affineur?
An affineur is a cheese whisperer of sorts—someone who specialises in the careful art of affinage: the process of maturing young cheeses to develop their full flavour, texture, and character. It’s where science meets instinct, and where ordinary cheeses are transformed into something truly extraordinary.
Last year, we were thrilled to be invited by the Academy of Cheese to take part in the prestigious Affineur of the Year competition. The challenge? To take charge of maturing some of Britain's most iconic cheeses—and give them a signature twist of our own.
We were handed two young cheeses straight from the makers: a Baron Bigod from Fen Farm Dairy, just five days old, and a fresh Stilton from Cropwell Bishop Creamery, barely two weeks into its life. With curiosity and a hefty dose of creative experimentation, our team set to work.
The Baron Bigod received a decadent beer wash using Nightcrawler Stout from Horsforth Brewery, infusing it with rich, malty complexity. As for the Stilton? After piercing it to allow the blue mould to flourish, we injected it with a touch of Moscato d’Asti—a sparkling Italian wine that added sweet, aromatic notes to the bold blue.
Fast forward to judging day in London, and we were buzzing with anticipation. The cheeses were cut open for the first time—right there at the ceremony. Our team held their breath as the results were revealed: stunning blue veining in the Stilton, and flavours that made every moment of experimentation worthwhile.
Even more exciting? We were awarded the People’s Choice award for our beer-washed Baron Bigod! An amazing honour, especially given the sheer calibre of cheese on show from across the country.
Here’s a shout-out to the other incredible category winners:
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Quicke’s Cheddar – Andy from The Courtyard Dairy
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Cropwell Bishop Stilton – James & Justin from No. 2 Pound Street
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Baron Bigod & Overall Winner – Perry from Rennet and Rind
A huge thanks to the Academy of Cheese for hosting such a vibrant and inspiring event, and to all the brilliant cheesemakers, judges, and fellow affineurs who made it unforgettable.
We left buzzing with ideas, humbled by the win, and absolutely determined to return. Watch this space for more G&J affinage adventures—we’re just getting started!