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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.

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