Parmesan (Sartori)

Producer

Sartori

Country

United States

Region

Wisconsin

Size

13 in diameter x 4 in height

Weight

20 lbs

Website

www.sartoricheese.com

Milk

Cow

Classification

Hard

Rennet

Microbial

Rind

Natural

Established in 1939 by Paolo Sartori, Sartori Cheese Company is a fourth generation family owned business based in Plymouth, Wisconsin.

Well known for hard and Italian-style cheeses, the company sources milk from local, family owned farms within a close radius to their production facility. The herd size at each farm averages 75 cows and many of the farms have worked with Sartori for multiple generations. The company also operates an incentive program that encourages each farm to produce the best quality milk possible.

For production of Sartori’s cheeses, the milk is heated, cultures and rennet are added and, once the milk has coagulated, the curd is cut, releasing the whey, which is drained off.

The remaining curd is hand-salted and transferred into hoops, then pressed for several hours.  Newly formed wheels of cheese are placed in a warm “overnight” room to encourage the expulsion of more whey.  

Wheels are then trimmed by hand and placed in a brine bath, which encourages the formation of a rind.  After the brine bath, the cheese is moved to a curing room for further maturation.

Sartori Classic Parmesan is aged for a minimum of 10 months. Every batch is tasted at regular intervals during this period and, when deemed ready, released for sale.

Tasting Notes

Crumbly and speckled with crystalline clusters, yet still slightly pliable and smooth, Sartoti Classic Parmesan is milder and less dry than other parmesans. Nuttiness, sweetness and a dusky deep tang contribute to a deep and well-rounded flavor.

Pairings

For wine pairings, try a Chianti, an Asti Spumanti, or a Sauvignon Blanc; For beer pairings, an IPA, an American Pale, or a Lager.