Blu del Moncenisio

Producer

Val de Susa dairies

Country

Italy

Region

French / Italian Savoie

Size

8 ins diameter, 6 ins high

Weight

5-7 lbs

Website

Milk

Cow

Treatment

Raw

Classification

Semi Soft
Blue

Rennet

Animal

Rind

Natural

Style

Blue

Blu del Moncenisio is produced in relatively small numbers by the artisanal Val de Susa dairies, located in the Moncenisio Pass which spans the French Italian Savoie.

Milk for production is sourced from local herds of cows. During the winter months they remain on the lower mountain pastures but are moved to the higher meadows during the summer months, where they take advantage of the array of summer grasses, herbs and flowers.

Blu del Moncenisio is is an unpressed cheese which accounts for its high moisture content and creamy mouthfeel. Post production, wheels are dry salted before being transferred to maturing rooms where they are aged for a minimum of 90 days.

In appearance, wheels of Blu del Moncenisio are drum shaped with a natural, slightly orange, sticky rind. Internally, cheeses are shot through with pockets of blue (as opposed to veins) that are surrounded by an ivory-cream colored paste.

Flavors range from fairly mild to assertive depending on age and season. There are notes of wood, straw and nuts, underpinned by marked vegetal flavors with a balanced constant blue presence.

Excellent pairings for Blu del Moncenisio include a crispy Sauvignon or sweeter dessert wines.