Epoisses de Bourgogne

This intriguing variety of cheese, made with cow's milk and referred to as a "complicated" cheese, is a product of Bourgogne and is another example of a cheese that has been granted PDO status. Only a small, tightly controlled region in France has been granted the right to use the name.

Epoisses de Bourgogne is said to have originated with the monks at the Abbaye de Citeaux, and Napoleon is said to have been "partially addicted" to it, pairing it with Chambertin wine. It is not a "mainstream" type of cheese, and it was on the verge of extinction when production was halted during the World War II period. However, it was not until 1946 that two families in Bourgogne resurrected the tradition. It has a pungent flavor and a fine, pate-like texture, with layers of flavor that are distinct in their sweet, salty, and creamy layers.

In addition, the rind has been washed in a wine residue known as Marc, which gives it an unusual appearance and flavor that is hard to describe. In contrast to many of the more expensive cheeses on the list, it is typically sold in small containers and can be purchased in the United States from a variety of sources, including Di Bruno Bros., local specialty food retailers, Walmart, Amazon and among others.

Price: About $45 a pound