Affineur

[Slava]

Learned a new word today; at my local grocery store of all places.

Over the cheese department, they have hung a giant poster of their lead affineur, so I had to ask what one was. Imagine my surprise when the people there actually knew! A rarity when employees are clued in to what "corporate" has decided.

However, an affineur is one who ages cheese; the refiner of cheese if you will. The noun is affinage. All pronounced in the French manner still, as it hasn't been Americanized just yet.