Gorgonzola Cheese

Gorgonzola is famous cheese first made in Italy (some say in the 13th century) and is it dreamy with Sangiovese. The big dark fruit of this grape creates excitement in your mouth and prepares your palate for the cheese. Nipozzano Chianti R?fina Riserva DOCG magically matches with the truly explosive flavors of Gorgonzola. Both the cheese and the wine will be enhanced when enjoyed together.

Authentic artisanal Gorgonzola from Italy is relatively hard to find so I?ve been diving in to the Gorgonzolas from the artisans of Wisconsin. Wisconsin has dedicated creameries that make this remarkable cheese. It is almost impossible to craft any other cheese than blue mold cheeses in the same creamery. That?s because the molds can ?travel? and could make all the cheese in the plant turn blue.

I?ve visited the Salemville Cheese Co-op in Cambria, Wisconsin and was blown away by their cheese. It was beyond interesting, as Salemville not only makes truly artisanal Gorgonzola, Salemville is an Amish community. On the way to my tour and tasting, little children in their bonnets and hats were driving the horse and buggies used for transportation. On passing each buggy, the children had wide-open smiles and were waving?really a fabulous experience.

Then, I had the thrill of tasting to their 90-day aged Gorgonzola made by cheesemaker Lavern Miller. I am not the only one who fell in love with this cheese. Salemville?s Gorgonzola became internationally famous when it won ?Best American-Made Blue Cheese? at the 2000 World Championship Cheese Contest.

Gorgonzola is a beautiful pairing with Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG as this wine?s complexity gives your palate a long ride on The Cheese Highway? with Gorgonzola. You can even host a Gorgonzola evening. Begin the festivities with this cheese with fresh apples and crusty bread and eat it while you are drinking the Nipozzano. Then use Gorgonzola crumbled in your salad and again slathered on steak or stuffed into chicken breast. Dessert can be a wedge of Gorgonzola drizzled with a sweet honey like orange blossom. Immersion in one cheese can be a fun way to share the range of flavors with your guests.