Piemonte is Cheese

Turin is the regional seat of Piemonte. The Olympics in Turin actually spread out over the entire region. When thinking about Piemonte the things that come to mind are skiing, grissini, tartufo di Alba, cheese and of course wine. Today’s subject is cheese!
When you go the to Olympics or you happen during the bottling period you must try the local cheeses. You know that I love Napoli, thus mozzarella di bufala! However you must remember that bringing back mozzarella from Napoli to Milan in an air conditioned car (8 hours) the mozzarella is not the same. All cheeses follow this pattern, The aged cheeses are less susceptible to climate changes but still when in an area that has a marvelous wine or cheese you MUST try it there!

In Piemonte there are many cheeses that are considered original in their production methods. In Italy this means something, they dedicate tremendous resources to guarantee that the local product actually conforms to what the product would have been 500 years ago. So break the Walmart and Target habit, be convinced that Whole Foods, better than many, is still just a mass marketing machine and go for the gusto! Try a local cheese with a local wine. Although the list of cheeses may or may not be originated in these areas their production has been considered original.

The cheeses by area are:

Grana Padano: Alessandria, Asti, Cuneo, Novara, Torino and Vercelli
Castelmagno: Cuneo
Gorgonzola: Cuneo, Novara, Vercelli, Casalle Monferrato
Raschiea: Cuneo
Taleggio: Novara
Robiola di
Roccaverano: Asti and Alessandria
Bra: Cuneo and Villafranca
Toma Piemontese: Novara, Vercelli, Biella, Torino, Cuneo, Alessandria and Asti

Try one of these cheeses at a local Salumeria or Latteria. Do not buy them at the grocery store. Get a local wine, some fresh bread and have a dinner that will make you think you have arrived in heaven!



Tags: Italian Cheese Taleggio Stracchino Gourmet Food Italian Recipes Food and Wine Travel Italy