Picodon - European Score 100/100

European Score analysis

Fromagerie de la Drôme's Picodon earns a perfect score of 100, with 35 points each for French headquarters and manufacturing, 10 for ingredients, 15 for distribution, 5 for certifications, and 5 for proximity. The certification contribution reflects the product's Protected Designation of Origin status.

Origins are specifically listed as France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Rhône-Alpes, and Drôme — a precise geographical attribution that aligns directly with the defined Picodon AOP production zone. The Drôme and Ardèche departments form the heart of this designation, and the brand name directly references the Drôme, reinforcing its regional identity. The AOP label provides legally enforced production rules governing the cheese from goat breed through to maturation.

At the 48th percentile among 27 Picodon products, this cheese sits just below the midpoint of its category. The competitive landscape for Picodon appears relatively tight, with multiple products sharing high provenance scores and AOP certification. For consumers specifically seeking a Picodon with explicit Drôme departmental origins, formal AOP backing, and full French supply-chain integrity, this product delivers on all documented provenance criteria and represents a transparent, well-anchored choice within a traditional and geographically protected French cheese category.