As the curd-concious know, Swiss cheese encompasses far more than generic, hole-y grocery store brands. In fact, cheeses originating from the Alps rarely have eyes, and there are many varieties to choose from. To help you select your next Alpine pick at the cheese shop, Madame Fromage explores her Swiss roots with a taste test.

Their smooth character means that Swiss cheeses melt well, and their bold notes make them excellent picks for sandwiches and snack plates. Around the holidays, I like to pick up a few Alpines and set them out with whatever I have in the pantry. Mustards, pickles, and dried fruit all pair well. So do chestnuts and seasonally available fruits, like kumquats.

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Photo by Tenaya Darlington