The Cheese Plate: Italian Cheeses

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Dear Katherine,

Italy is renowned for its delicious cheeses that are loved by people all over the world.

Italian Cheeses—Tradition and Terroir

Traditional Italian producers have perfected their craft over centuries, utilizing time-tested techniques and the unique local terrain to create a variety of delicious cheeses. They prioritize high-quality milk from local farms and carefully monitor every stage of the cheese-making process to ensure the best possible flavor and texture.

If you're a cheese lover, you'll love the delicious and iconic varieties from Italy below—Oldways has visited all three producers during Oldways Culinarias! You can experience the true taste of this amazing country for yourself in April when we’ll be visiting Valserena!

Cheese Inspiration

Brown Cow Parmigiano Reggiano 24-month DOP

Presented by: Roger's Collection

Valserena is the oldest Parmigiano Reggiano dairy in Parma and one of only four members of the Consorzio di Sola Bruna (Brown Cow Consortium). They are a fifth-generation family operation, and they grow the feed, raise the animals, and make cheese all at their farm. Their 24-month wheels made with brown cow (Bruna Alpina) milk are sweet with a delicate complexity. Grate liberally over pasta or risotto!

Quadrello di Bufala

Presented by: Forever Cheese

Quadrello® di Bufala is a buffalo milk cheese made in the style of Taleggio by sustainable cheesemakers Quattro Portoni, based outside of Bergamo, Italy. Their wonderfully creamy cheese showcases the richness of buffalo milk mingled with the salty, funky taste of a washed rind cheese.

Malghe di Vezzena

Presented by: Monti Trentini

The Vezzena of Monti Trentini is a semi-hard cheese, with a compact and slightly granular texture with sparse and small to medium holes. This cheese is produced exclusively with milk of local mountain farms of the Trentino region. It pairs best with a glass of Chardonnay or sparkling wine, such as Prosecco, produced in the northern Italian regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Explore Italy with us in April or October

Eat, drink and learn alongside chefs and experts!

Join us in Parma and Emilia Romagna in April 2024 to get behind-the-scenes access to the best of the best in Italian cheese. We’ll taste authentic, local ingredients and even meet the animals who produce the high quality milk that creates amazing cheese!

COME TO PARMA

Join us in October 2024 to experience the culture and beauty of Turin, along with the spectacular landscapes of vineyards, farms, plains, and forests that are home to the signature products of the Piedmont Region—wines, truﬄes, rice, chocolate, cheeses and more.

COME TO PIEDMONT

Keep in touch!

The Cheese Plate is made possible through the generous support of Emmi Roth, Gruyère AOP, Parmigiano Reggiano, FoodMatch, Gourmet–Food, and Whole Foods Market.