Quebec City Feature

It used to be that all good cheese in Québec City was imported from France—but not anymore. During the last several years there's been a cheese movement in La Belle Province, and regional cheese makers have begun producing award-winning aged cheddar and lait cru (unpasteurized) cheeses that you won't want to go home without sampling. There are more than 400 original varieties made here.

Luckily, there are enough cheese shops to keep you cheese shop-hopping all afternoon.

Épicerie Européenne. Stop by the Épicerie Européenne in the St-Jean-Baptiste quarter and let their knowledgeable consultants help you select that rare, imported cheese for your next soiree. 560, rue St-Jean, St-Jean-Baptiste, Québec City, QC, G1R 1P6. 418/529-4847.

Épicerie J.A. Moisan. Wander through Épicerie J.A. Moisan, a well-known, well-stocked market. 699 rue St-Jean, St-Jean-Baptiste, Québec City, QC, G1R 1P7. 418/522-0685.

Aux Petits Delices. In the market at Les Halles du Petit Quartier, Aux Petits Delices has a large selection of specialty cheeses, along with fruit, breads, crackers, and wine for a picnic on the Plains. 1191 av. Cartier, Montcalm, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2S9. 418/522-5154.

Some good cheeses to watch out for at these shops and others include Bleu Bénédictin from the St-Benoît Abbey, the Île aux-Grues four-year-old cheddar, Portneuf Camembert, or Le Migneron de Charlevoix, one of the 2010 top prize winners. There's also a chèvre noire, a raw, semifirm goat cheese by Fromagerie Tournevant—wrapped in black wax—that's not to be missed, and the fresh goat cheese La Biquette. If Gouda is your thing, try a piece from Fromagerie Bergeron.