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From the rich grazing land along the banks of the Piave River in northern Italy's mountainous Belluno Province comes a masterpiece in artisanal cheese making. This extra-aged Piave Vecchio cheese is made using the same traditional methods that have been used in the Dolomites for centuries, imparting it with an exceptionally nuanced flavor and pleasing texture. Made from the milk of cows that graze in Belluno's fertile alpine pastures, this cheese is aged for more than a year, during which time it develops an intensely nutty flavor with a distinct and pleasant sweetness. Its mild yet full-bodied savor never develops any sharpness, but remains rich and fruity, so it's a crowd-pleaser for cheese lovers of all stripes. This extra-aged Piave's ochre interior has a hard, slightly grainy texture that crumbles easily and is perfect for grating. Both the texture and flavor of this extra-aged Piave cheese are often likened to a smoother, less-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, making this cheese an exciting artisanal alternative in applications that traditionally call for Parmesan.
On a cheese plate or charcuterie board, this delicious Italian cheese's distinct, pleasant flavor is sure to make it stand out. Highlight its sweet and nutty flavor by placing it on a cracker layered with walnuts and sliced pears, or serve it alongside nuts and traditional Italian dried meats! Because this cheese lends itself particularly well to grating, you can also try sprinkling it over a salad of bitter greens like arugula, or grating over rich Italian staples like creamy risotto or warming pasta e fagioli. When choosing beverage pairings for this cheese, keep in mind that it is complemented by both red and white wine, as well as beers like lagers, kolschs, and ales. Consider pairing with a crisp Pinot Grigio, a refreshing, dry Rose, or a full-bodied red wine from Northern Italy like Dolcetto or Amarone della Valpolicella. Whether you choose to serve it as an ingredient in traditional Belluno cuisine or add it to your signature cheese plate, your patrons are sure to be delighted by this cheese's remarkable ability to impart the flavor of centuries of Italian tradition in every bite! This 14 lb. wheel is sure to keep you in good supply for all of your culinary needs.
Tucked away in the picturesque mountains of Belluno Province, Agriform is a cheese making cooperative that has been in operation for more than 60 years. Though the terrain of the surrounding region is rocky and treacherous and the climate is renowned for being harsh - with cold, snowy winters and short, cool summers - its rich, uncontaminated pastures have been used to graze dairy cattle for generations. For hundreds of years, small dairy farmers in the region have banded together in cooperatives to produce artisanal cheeses using ancient techniques that have been passed down through experience and oral tradition. Agriform honors and harkens back to these Italian co-ops in every step of the cheese making process, from raising cattle in alpine pastures to curing artisanal cheeses in traditional cellars. Their line of traditional Italian cheeses offers something for every palate and every occasion!