Taste the Wonder of Italian Cheese & Cuisine

Among the hundreds of Italian cheeses, we’ve picked three superstars we love. Italy has been making cheese for more than 2,000 years and is responsible for many innovations. You’ll appreciate the innovative taste of wine and roses in the Ubriaco Pinot Rose and the soft, sweet taste of Gorgonzola Dolce. Enjoy the beauty, aroma, and flavor of these outstanding Italian cheeses.

Ubriaco Pinot Rosé

Cheese doesn’t get any prettier than this. This stunning, elegant Italian cheese is bathed in La Jara Pinot Grigio rosé for 2 months and then covered with rose petals. It tastes like a glass of sparkling rosé with its light, almost bubbly carbonated bite. The word “ubriaco” translates literally to “drunk” but don’t think for a minute that this cheese has a strong alcoholic flavor. Think soft and delicate. The perfect cheese to enjoy while sitting on your porch and reveling in warm weather days of wine and roses . . . and cheese. 

Origin: Italy (Veneto region)
Producer: Sergio Moro
Milk: Pasteurized cow
Rennet Type: Animal
Age: 9+ months
Look: Blush-colored rind topped with rose petals; yellow paste
Feel: Semi-firm, crumbly
Smell: Light, floral aroma
Taste: Lots of flavor! A party for your mouth! You’ll love the pleasant taste of rosé but without the strong bite of alcohol. Notes of grapefruit and red currant.
Pairs well with: A light-hearted cracker, mild salami, prosciutto
Tastes good with: Pinot Grigio Rosé (sparkling), Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc

Formaggio Bassanese

Made in the northeast corner of Italy, this cheese has the finest characteristics of great Veneto cheeses: compact wheels, a paste of a beautiful straw color, and a marked softness. A classic.

Origin: Italy (province of Vicenza)
Producer: Luigi Guffanti
Milk: Pasteurized cow
Rennet Type: Animal
Age: 60 days minimum
Look: Straw color, a few holes
Feel: Soft, dense
Smell: Funky
Taste: Mild, salty, slightly savory
Pairs well with: Chocolate almonds, prosciutto, honey, fresh pears or other fruit.
Tastes good with: Red wines

Guffanti Gorgonzola Dolce

Italy’s most famous blue cheese, Gorgonzola comes in two varieties, Dolce and Piccante. This sweet version is one of Tastings’ most beloved cheeses: Sold by the scoop, it’s been dubbed the “ice cream cheese” by one of our customers.

According to legend, a lovesick cheesemaker accidentally created Gorgonzola when, in his rush to meet his lover, he forgot to properly mix the curds from the evening milking. The resulting cheese had a wealth of nooks and crannies, which encouraged the development of molds inside the cheese as it ripened. True or not, we are grateful for Gorgonzola! Try our recipe for Farfalle with Zucchini and Gorgonzola.

Origin: Italy (Lombardy region)
Producer: Luigi Guffanti
Milk: Pasteurized cow
Rennet Type: Animal
Age: 2 months
Look: Pale white to straw-colored interior is marbled with streaks of blue-green mold. Light reddish rind. Wrapped in foil to retain moisture.
Feel: Soft, creamy, spreadable
Smell: Lactic, mild
Taste: Sweet, creamy, slightly tangy and salty
Pairs well with: Honey. Fantastic for dessert or as the center of your cheeseboard. Use it to create a scrumptious pasta dish.
Tastes good with: Full-bodied red wines, sweet wines, liqueurs, Champagne. Also goes well with lighter, effervescent beers such as Hefeweissens.

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