Cheese Pairings

Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is an Italian cheese originating from the town of Gorgonzola within the city of Milan, in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. It is made from pasteurised cow’s milk with a soft, crumbly texture and it is one of the world’s oldest forms of blue-veined cheeses. Gorgonzola takes 3-4 months to fully ripen, ranging from a mild to a sharp taste with its age. It also comes in two varieties, depending on its age, Gorgonzola Dolce (Sweet) and Gorgonzola Piccante (Spicy). The cheese should be kept at room temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes before eating to ensure you are getting the best texture, flavour, and aroma. To avoid having its strong smell stick to other cheeses in your refrigerator, remove its rind and wrap in aluminium foil.

Pairing

Gorgonzola is very versatile in its pairings, able of complementing a plate of risotto, pasta, polenta or even pizza, your favourite Italian classics. The cheese can also be included in salads with raw vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, peppers, and radishes, or cooked vegetables like broccoli, potatoes, and pumpkin.  If combined with butter and heavy cream, Gorgonzola makes for a delicious sauce too.

If presented on a charcuterie board, add some grapes, honey, and pistachios for the ultimate combination of flavours. It may also complement other cheeses like Mascarpone, garnished with chopped hazelnuts and cream sauce. Other options include jams, chocolate, both fresh and dried fruit, and chestnuts.

If you’re looking to enjoy either of the above suggestions with a glass of wine, go for aged red wines like Bordeaux, Chianti, Cabernet, or Zinfandel if you’re pairing Gorgonzola Piccante. Alternatively, you can pair it with a sweet white wine like Sauternes or Ramandolo. Gorgonzola Dolce is better paired with soft red wine or white wine such as Chianti Classico, Dolcetto, Riesling, or Pinot Bianco.

A wide variety of quality ingredients are available from Arkadia supermarkets in Malta and Gozo, including Arkadia FoodExpress Swatar and Arkadia Food Market Valletta.

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