Lacaune (sheep)
French dairy sheep breed required for the Roquefort AOP. The Lacaune-Penicillium-Combalou triangle is one of the textbook examples of breed-and-place specificity in cheese.
Yield
~250-400L per lactation per ewe — the highest yields among dairy sheep breeds.
Dominant regions
Aveyron and surrounding Occitanie region, France. Required for AOP Roquefort production.
History
The Lacaune is the dominant French dairy sheep breed, accounting for ~95% of dairy sheep in France. Selective breeding from the 1970s improved yields without compromising the milk's suitability for Roquefort aging. The breed's historical range coincides with Roquefort's natural production zone.
Flavor character
Specifically suited to Roquefort aging — the milk's fatty acid profile interacts with Penicillium roqueforti and the Combalou cave conditions to produce the cheese's distinctive character. Cannot be substituted without changing the resulting cheese.
Signature cheeses
- Roquefort AOP (Lacaune required)
- Various Aveyron sheep cheeses