Schweizer Greyerzer AOP

The Gruyère region has been known for its cheese production since the 12th century. Cheese from this region was already being sold to France and Italy at that time. The 17th century was an important step in the history of Gruyère AOP. During this period, the first measures were taken to protect its origin with stamps and markings. The strong emigration that characterized the canton of Fribourg in the 18th and 19th centuries extended the geographical region where Gruyère was produced to other cantons as well as to neighbouring France. Gruyère was often imitated. From the mid-19th century, the profession tried to obtain a recognized designation of origin. Talks in Madrid (1891), Paris (1926) and then Rome (1939) led to the signing of the first treaty on the protection of designations and the origin of commercial goods. However, Gruyère was only awarded an international AOC in 2001 and received the protected designation of origin AOP in 2011.