If you are a blue cheese fan and you were thinking of booking a villa in Italy and a vacation rental in Lombardy or a holiday rental in Piedmont, in particular, then you need to make a point to try some Gorgonzola cheese. One of the world's most ancient blue-veined cheeses, it holds the prestigious DOP certification and its production is primarily concentrated in the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. And, although the name Gorgonzola originates from the town of Gorgonzola near Milan, which was once thought to be the cheese's birthplace, this origin story is now a subject that is somewhat up for debate. Read on to learn more about this classic Italian cheese...
With a crumbly, soft texture and a flavour that can range from mild to sharp, depending on its age, Gorgonzola is made from whole cow's milk, incorporating starter bacteria and the spores of the Penicillium glaucum mould. During the curdling process, whey is removed, and the cheese matures at low temperatures for a minimum of three to four months. The distinctive greenish-blue marbling that characterizes Gorgonzola was not always a defining feature, however, and was actually only introduced in the 11th century.
The precise beginnings of Gorgonzola remain shrouded in mystery. One legend recounts its creation in A.D. 879 in Gorgonzola, near Milan, when a heartbroken dairy worker accidentally left the cheese pot out overnight. Upon discovering his oversight, he layered additional cheese over the nearly spoiled curd, inadvertently giving rise to mould veins. The result proved delectable, and this process was subsequently repeated, leading to the emergence of Gorgonzola as a distinct cheese variety. Its flavour appealed to the local populace, and its popularity surged when it was employed as a remedy for stomachache in children and as a remedy for indigestion in adults.
While this tale is up for debate, Gorgonzola is now a beloved staple and enjoys legal protection under Italian law, with a designation of Protected Geographical Status. In fact, it can only be manufactured in select provinces and comuni across the regions of Novara, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Cuneo, Lecco, Lodi, Milan, Pavia, Varese, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Vercelli, and certain areas near Casale Monferrato (province of Alessandria).
So, if you've secured a holiday rental in Lombardy or a villa in Piedmont, don't miss the opportunity to savour Gorgonzola at its finest.
