Fontina Cheese (PDO)

What is Fontina (PDO)?

At the feet of the Alps, in the Aosta valley, lie the lush meadows upon whichred-pied Valdostana cows provide the milk needed to produce Fontina. Incredibly rich and creamy, the flavours of this cheese are sweet and pungent, unveiling tones of butter and roasted nuts as it lingers on your palate. Traditionally made from unpasteurised milk, the texture is semi hard, smooth and adorned with small eyes in the body.

Surrounding the grasslands of the Aosta valley, caves and crevices in the mountains provide the perfect low temperatures for aging, giving Fontina its dense and open interior. The cheese absorbs the naturally filtered moisture from the caverns, providing the distinct aromas and nuances unique to Fontina.

How Fontina (PDO) is made*

To produce a perfect wheel of Fontina, artisans rely on their expertise and skill to work in symbioses with the mountains of Valle d'Aosta.

Milk is delivered directly from the pasture to the creamery, where large copper cauldrons are filled and heated. Enzymes and calf rennet is added to promote coagulation of the milk, resulting in the formation of curd. When firm, it is then separated and drained through a cheesecloth, before being placed in wheel-shaped moulds. After it has brined for 2 months, the wheel is ready for aging in the caverns of Valle d'Aosta. A process of pure artisanship, workers tend to the cheeses by turning, brushing and salting them every other day. After 3 months maturing in the humid grottos, the cheese is officially labelled Fontina.

*Castello does not produce Fontina (PDO).

PICK ANOTHER SEMI-HARD CHEESE

If you appreciate the qualities of Fontina there are other cheeses you might enjoy.

Provolone is known for its mild taste and is ideal for melting, offering a firm and slightly grainy texture that complements many dishes.

Gruyère (PGI) provides a depth of flavour with its sharp notes and subtle hints of hazelnut and butter, making it a versatile choice that pairs well with a variety of meats and vegetables.