Mastorazio

Producer

Casa Madaio

Country

Italy

Region

Campania

Size

3.5” tall, 6.5” wide

Weight

5.5 lbs

Website

www.casamadaio.it/en.html

Milk

Sheep

Rennet

Animal

Rind

Natural

Owned by the Madaio family, Casa Madaio is an acclaimed cheese affineur (maturer) and producer located in Salerno, Italy. The family home, a castle with three towers, is reflected in Casa Madaio’s distinct logo. Mr. Madaio feels that the towers not only represent the home, but also the connection of the past with the future. To him, the towers symbolize his three children Angelo, Renata and David and the future of Casa Madaio. At Casa Madaio, both cheese production and the cheese aging facility are small scale. The business is centered at two different locations. The cheese making facilities are in Eboli, along with the central office, while the aging caves are located at Castelcivita, in the heart of the The National Park of Cilento and Vallo of Diano. The area is steeped in history. The caves have been used to age cheeses by the Madaio family for four generations, and the company places great value on the preservation of the history and flavors of the land, working closely with local universities and with the Slow Food movement to further research. Their cheeses are primarily sold to small specialty shops and restaurants, both in Italy and abroad. Casa Madaio makes both fresh goat and buffalo milk cheeses at their location in Eboli. In addition, they also purchase cheeses made at small mountain dairies nearby that they age themselves at Castelcivita.

Tasting Notes

Mastorazio is a pecorino that is aged for 12 to 18 months. It has a natural rough brown rind and a dense pale yellow paste. The scent of the cheese is of milk and herbs. Its flavor is herbaceous with a touch of spice.

Pairings

This cheese pairs beautifully with Taurasi wine, a red wine that is native to the Campania region of Italy and works particularly well as a fondue with Sea Bass and spinach.