Il Forteto Cacio di Fossa Cave-aged Pecorino
This full-flavoured pecorino is made according to an ancient tradition. Once made, the fresh cheeses are matured in a small pit in the ground (a fossa), which is sealed over to limit the oxygen flow, thus creating a unique sweet/savoury flavour and slightly piquant bite in the cheese. The texture is moist, but also slightly crumbly and the rich nutty flavours of sheep’s milk are present on the finish. Il Forteto is a dairy cooperative using sustainable farming practises and creating cheeses based on traditional recipes that reflect the Tuscan terroir.
Serve on cheese platters with honey and fresh fruit, or on antipasti platters with cured meats and olives. This cheese can also be shaved or crumbled into salads as you would other mature cheeses. Pair with medium-bodied red or white wines, particularly Italian varietals such as Chianti and Valpolicella.
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Milk: Pasteurised sheep
Rennet: Animal
Size: Approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Pecorino Toscano Stagionato Dop Morbidi
This popular and centuries-old DOP table cheese is manufactured in Tuscany (Toscano in Italian) region of central Italy. Made from pasteurized sheep’s milk
It is aged for about 6 months. It is firm, nutty and rich in flavour with hints of butterscotch.
Region : Sienna, Tuscany
Size : 250g approx. cut fresh
Grand Formaggio Di Pecora Bitti Sardo Bio
This is a Sardinian pecorino cheese, cooked, coagulated with calf rennet. The flavour highlights the scent of the Mediterranean pastures on which they feed the sheep. Was established with the intent to use all substances present in milk, essential for our body, thus improving the nutritional aspect and in particular, one linked to the digestibility of fat and milk protein. During his long ripening occurs a strong proteolysis and lipolysis: both proteins that fats are broken down into smaller organic molecules, making the product easy assimilation by the body and easier to digest. In addition to the low salt content and the large content of calcium lactate, it is recommended in any diet food, as in that of hypertensive, but also to strengthen the skeletal system and prevent osteoporosis.
Morbidi Pecorino Al 4 Pepe
The taste of four different kinds of pepper gives a rich and unique flavour of freshly ground pepper.
Size: approx 250g wedge cut to order
Mastorazio Pecorino Casa Madaio
This is a mature pecorino aged for around 12 to 18 months in natural caves, creating a full, slightly piccante flavour with a unique herbaceous finish and a subtle savouriness – the type of flavour that can't be replicated by industrial cheeses. Serve with antipasti or enjoy with a glass of Sangiovese. From artisan cheese-makers and affineurs Casa Madaio.
Region: Campania, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Size: appprox 250g wedge, cut to order
Infossato Pecorino Casa Madaio
Infossato is matured in a pit in the ground lined with hay and ferns – an ancient practice through-out central and southern Italy. Over time the cheese develops a sharp sweet/savoury bite, a deep golden colour and firm, crumbly texture. Ideal for anyone who likes a full-flavoured pecorino with some bite – but not too salty. A great choice for antipasti platters or shaving into salads and onto woodfired pizza. From artisan cheese-makers and affineurs Casa Madaio.
Region: Campania, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge, cut to order.
Canestrato Pecorino Casa Madaio
A traditional pecorino from Basilicata hand-made with raw milk from small farms and then cave-matured. Canestrato is named after the woven cane baskets the young cheeses are drained in, which leave a distinctive imprint on the rind. The flavour is full and round with a slightly savoury bite and an elegant but complex finish – each bite offers something different: hints of green grass, butterscotch, roast lamb and dried herbs. Absolutely delicious – it will have you coming back for more and more! Casa Madaio are artisan cheese-makers and affineurs. Their cheeses are aged in caves located in the National Park of Cilento and Vallo of Diano, and have been used by the family to mature cheese for 4 generations.
Region: Basilicata, Italy
Milk: Pasteurised Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Calcagno Pecorino Casa Madaio
A full-flavoured, mature pecorino from Sardinia hand-made with milk from small, local farms and aged in natural caves for around 1 year. Calcagno is a classic southern pecorino with a balanced savoury, piccante bite and a long-lasting finish. The texture is firm and flaky, but not dry – perfect for serving on antipasti platters with olives and meats. From artisan cheese-makers and affineurs Casa Madaio.
Region: Sardinia, Italy
Milk: Pasteurised Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Cinerino Pecorino Casa Madaio
Cinerino is a pecorino coated with aromatic ash from local myrtle trees. In the small town of Castelcivita, the feast of St Anthony is celebrated with bonfires where myrtle branches are burnt – this fine, grey ash is collected and used to coat the wheels of cheese to impart a flavour of myrtle and herbs which balances perfectly with the nutty, grassy notes in the matured cheese. A great choice for cheese and antipasti platters. From artisan cheese-makers and affineurs Casa Madaio.
Region: Campania, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Piacentinu Ennese DOP Slow Food Presidio
This delicious sheep’s milk cheese has been enriched with the addition of saffron and whole peppercorns, creating a warm golden colour and unique taste. The rich flavour of salted butter is highlighted with the gentle aromatic notes of saffron and a mild peppery bite to finish. This cheese is typically made in the hinterland around the region of Enna. It is thought the name is a variation on the Italian greeting ‘Piacere’ (pleased to meet you / or verb ‘to like / appeal’). Piacentinu makes a stunning addition to any cheese plate – serve with fig or pear jam or our La Nicchia Zibibbo syrup (also from Sicily). It can also be shaved and added to salads and panini / sandwiches. It works well with most medium to full-bodied white and red wines, especially southern Italian varietals such as Primitivo, Nero d’Avola and Cataratto Bianco.
Region: Sicilia, Italy
Milk: Unpasteurised Sheep
Size: Approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Bussu Fiore Sardo DOP Organic Presidio Slow Food
A rustic organic smoked pecorino made by the shepards from the island of Sardinia in Southern Italy. It has a subtle, smoky, rustic flavour and round grassy, slightly sheepy notes to finish. During maturation the texture becomes firm and slightly crumbly. A member of the Slow Food Presidio. Ideal to serve with antipasti platters, or on a cheese board with our Brezzo Chestnut Honey.
Region: Sardinia, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Pecorino Romano Dop del Lazio
We source our Pecorino Romano Dop from Lazio (genuine pecorino romano) – one of only a few producers left in Lazio. It is dry salted and then matured in natural caves for at least 8months to create rich, long-lasting piccante flavour with a well-balanced salty note. The rich sheep’s milk creates a full buttery feel through the end palate. The texture is firm and appears slightly grainy. Pecorino Romano Dop is an excellent grating and cooking cheese traditionally used in many Italian dishes to create a rich, savoury flavour. It can also be used to make a fresh pesto with basil, garlic and pine nuts.
Region: Lazio, Italy
Milk: Thermised Sheep
Rennet: Animal
Size: approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Paglierino Pecorino Casa Madaio
A medium-matured pecorino, cave-aged for around 3 to 4 months. It is made with milk from sheep grazing in the National park of Cilento and the Valley of Diano. The flavour is balanced and gentle – slightly sweet, nutty, grassy flavours coming from the rich sheep’s milk with a mild, savoury finish. A delicious pecorino to serve on cheese platters, enjoy with a glass of Rosé or Pinot Noir. From artisan cheese-makers and affineurs Casa Madaio.
Region: Campania, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge cut to order
Rosso Pecorino coated with powdered red peppers Casa Madaio
A medium-matured pecorino from Campania coated with powdered Senise red chilli peppers from the neighbouring region of Basilicata. The texture is smooth and compact and the flavour is rich and sweet with a hint of spice from the peppers. From artisan cheese-makers and affineurs Casa Madaio.
Region: Campania, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge, cut to order
Whole Morbidi Forte Scuro Pecorino Gift Box
Love your pecorino? Buy a whole wheel of Forte Scuro – a mature Tuscan pecorino rubbed with olive oil and ash.
Contains:
A whole wheel of Forte Scuro Pecorino (approx 2.5kg)
All packed in a cheese box with ribbon.
The cheese:
Forte Scuro translates to ‘strong, dark’ – reflecting the sharp flavours and crumbly texture of this matured cheese rubbed with ash and olive oil during an extended maturation. Even though up-front this cheese is quite bitey, the finish is still well-balanced and grassy – characteristic of good Tuscan pecorino. This is a great cheese for anyone looking for a full-flavour that isn’t too salty or piccante.
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Pecorino di Pienza Gran Riserva
Tuscan pecorino has a sweet, grassy flavour with a rich, nutty finish – quite different to saltier styles of pecorino from the southern regions of Italy. This ‘reserve’ pecorino is matured for around 18 months to create an amazing deep, long-lasting flavour – it will have you coming back for more and more! This is a farmhouse cheese made with milk from sheep grazing on the rich pastures in the Orcia Valley near the town of Pienza in Tuscany.
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Milk: Pasteurised Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge cut to order
Pecorino Stagionato in Fossa
This cheese is made according to the ancient practise of ‘pit-maturation’ – this process can’t be rushed and is well worth the wait. Young cheeses are wrapped in a cheese-cloth then placed inside a small stone pit in the ground, which is sealed over to restrict oxygen flow. After a few months the cheeses are retrieved, transformed by the unique environment. A rich, savoury flavour and pronounced bite develop to compliment the sweet, grassy notes in the cheese.
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Milk: Sheep
Size: approx 250g wedge cut to order
