Learn about Giolitti’s Deli featured cheese of the week- Taleggio cheese!
Taleggio is a semi-soft, smear-ripened Italian cheese that was named after the caves of Val Taleggio. It is actually one of the oldest soft cheese produced every fall and winter and is made from pasteurized cow’s milk. Continue reading to learn more about Giolitti Deli’s featured cheese of the week and what to pair with Taleggio cheese!
About Taleggio Cheese
During the making of Taleggio cheese, the acidic milk is brought to the lab and kept on the wood shelves in the chambers and the caves of Val Taleggio. To prevent mold infestation, the cheese gets washed with seawater every week. The maturation of the cheese takes 6-10 weeks and results in the formation of a thin crust. Taleggio cheese has been granted a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) designation and contains 48% fat. It has a strong smell, but the taste is relatively mild with a fruity, tangy flavor.
What To Eat With Taleggio Cheese
To make the cheese brighter and moderate, you may find some brands add spices, raisins, nuts, or lemons to it. Pairing the cheese on cheese boards with nuts, spices, and raisins of your own add a great flavor! Taleggio cheese is also delicious of freshly baked, crusty Italian bread. You can serve it over a salad, such as Radicchio and Rucola, or with Bruschetta, risotto, and polenta.
Wine Pairings
Taleggio cheese pairs well with a variety of wines, including reds and whites. Most of the time, you will find that food and wine from the same region pair well together, so Lambrusco is an ideal pairing, but Barolo, Soave, and Chianti Riserva are great choices as well. The acidic flavor of Lambrusco wine and the pungent cheese make an excellent pair!
Authentic Italian Cuisine From Giolitti Deli
Giolitti Deli is a full-service Delicatessen in Annapolis, MD, specializing in authentic Italian cuisine. Founded in 1992, we use the freshest ingredients to make time-honed recipes from scratch, with no MSG or preservatives. We believe in real food and offer many healthy options, including vegetarian and vegan menu items. At Giolitti Deli, we make our own sauces, mozzarella, grilled and roasted vegetables, bread, pizza dough, and desserts, and our sandwiches, salads, pasta, pizza, and entrees are made to order. Owner Mary Giolitti has combined her passion for great food and fine wine to offer Annapolis a true taste of Italy!
Team members who also make the business possible include Manager Kathy Hunter, Manager and Catering Director Cheryl Molesky, Head Baker Porfirio Diaz, Chef Alfredo Escobar, and Deli Manager Noe Merino. To contact us, please visit our contact page or give us a call at 410.266.8600. Also, be sure to keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and our blog!