SOLD OUT
Limited number of pieces available.
Winter Milk 36-month di Montagna Parmigiano-Reggiano
2.5 pound wedge - Italy
Price includes expedited shipping. Delivery expected late March/Early April
Winter Milk Cheese is typically available in the late Winter - but we will take it any time we can -- we love it that much!
We announce availability in our weekly newsletter, once we have a firm shipping date. Feel free to check back or call for an update. If you would like to place a pre-order or order larger pieces than 2.5 pounds, such as the 80-pound whole cheese wheel, please feel free to call us. Supplies for this real parmesan cheese are always limited.
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This very special treat from a hand selected mountain farm located in the Mountains of Apennine of Italy, that creates some of the finest Parmigiano-Reggiano we've tasted.
For details about ordering and shipping, please scroll down.
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about the wheel:
This Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is aged over 28 months and is a very special treat, so place your order now to reserve your wedge. We sell out of our especially selected wheels of cheese quickly.This year's cheese comes from a farm located near the small village at the base of the Apennine Mountains. It is one of the mountain cheese houses. The milk for their cheese production comes from 15 different local dairies all located within 30 kilometers of the cheese house. The owner of the cheese house says that the cows from which the milk is harvested are 50% Bruna Alpina cows, and 50% Frisona -- with a few Vacche Rossa and Montbeillards thrown in. The average life span of the cows is 8-10 years, which is a good indication that the cows are not pushed for maximum milk production. All reflecting well on the final results
about Winter Parmigiano-Reggiano:
One way in which Parmigiano-Reggiano differs is by the season during which it is started. This is a Winter cheese, which meaning that it was begun during the winter months when the cows are feed a higher concentration of dry hey. Parmigiano-Reggiano is also made at other times of year, and each of them have their merits.
Winter Parmigiano-Reggiano is lighter in color than cheese from other times of the year, and has a much mellower flavor and smoother texture. Of all the seasons, the Winter Parmigiano-Reggiano is the most able to be eaten straight by the chunk, without grating. Although, just like other seasons, this whole parmesan cheese is amazing grated as well.
Tasting notes:
Fine quality mountain Parmigiano-Reggiano should have a sweet, fresh flavor with a long, well-rounded finish. There should be no sharpness or powdery dryness, even with the older cheeses. Since it has been aged over 36 months, it will be dryer than the younger cheese, with a more crumply and grainy texture. There should be some crunchy crystals - more than a 24 month wheel.
Serving suggestions:
We hope that you enjoy it as much as we do - try chunks of real parmesan cheese drizzled with your favorite Balsamic, in Linguine with Prosciutto, Butternut Squash Risotto, or Orange, Beet and Parmigiano-Reggiano Salad. Try slicing this whole parmesan cheese in wide thin strips or chunks to make the flavor of this cheese sing.
Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds are a hidden treasure! Use them in soups like you would meat bones for wonderful added flavor - especially nice for vegetarians. And no worries about wax or chemicals - it's just cheese.
The arrival of a glorious chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano is a perfect reason to plan a small food gathering of friends. Or buy a quarter wheel for a truly extravagant party!
***SPECIAL ORDERING DETAILS and STORAGE INFO***
Sizing and Additional Pricing Information
Each piece of real parmesan cheese weighs approximately 2.5 lbs but sizes may vary. We may adjust your price based on the actual size of your piece.
Order Cancellation Policy:
This is a fresh item that we have to special-order in advance. Therefore, we will charge a 22% restocking fee on any order canceled.
Shipping Details:
Shipping is included in the price. 2.5 to 10 pound orders are priced to shipped via UPS ground - dependinig on the weather at destination location. 20 to 80 pound orders are shipped via UPS ground unless otherwise noted. If you would like to upgrade to UPS 2-day on larger orders, additional shipping charges will apply.
If you order other items at the same time, we may ship those separately via your preferred shipping method at our regular shipping charge. It's best to place a separate order for non-cheese items, as that will expedite the shipping on non-cheese items.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Parmigiano-Reggiano will last for months when properly stored. Additionally, the larger the piece of cheese, the lower the cost per pound, and the longer it should last!
* Keep real parmesan cheese tightly wrapped in a zip-close plastic bag with all the air squeezed out.
* Only grate or slice the cheese as you use it. Re-wrap remaining cheese tightly with wax paper, and return it to the zip-close bag.
* If your piece begins to dry out, wrap it in slightly damp cheesecloth or paper towel, and then wrap it in plastic wrap or put it back in its zip-close bag.
* Store the cheese in the warmest part of the refrigerator.
As soon as it is cut, Parmigiano-Reggiano begins to lose some of its flavor. (That's why you should always grate it yourself, rather than buying pre-grated.) Unlike some retailers who cut entire wheels up at once and put them on display for weeks at a time, we cut the cheese the day before it is shipped to you!