Italian Dairy, Fontina Val D'Aosta Cheese DOP (raw milk)

Italian Dairy, Fontina Val D’Aosta Cheese DOP (raw milk)

Fontina Val D’Aosta DOP (Fontina) is a classic Italian cheese made in the Aosta Valley since the 12^th century. There are many Fontina kinds of cheese made with alternative names such as “Fontinella”, “Fontal”, and “Fontella” but the Italian Fontina, Fontina Val d’Aosta, identified by a Consorzio (Consortium) stamp is the original and most famous. The other versions are much milder than the original Fontina. There is also a Danish version which can be recognized by the red wax rind. Italian Fontina has a natural rind that turns tan to orange-brown with ageing.

Fontina Val d’Aosta is traditionally made from the unpasteurised cow’s milk. The texture and flavour of the cheese depends on how long it has been aged. The texture can vary from semi-soft to firm and the flavours from mild and rich to more robust and overpowering. Usually, fontina is aged for 90 days.

The interior of fontina is pale cream in colour and riddled with holes known as “eyes”. With a fat content of 45%, the cheese is very rich and creamy which gets nuttier with ageing. This versatile cheese can be used to make fondues and similar Italian dishes. Nebbiolo, red wine with wild cherry and truffles is a match for Fontina.