And of course the best way to sample cheeses of the region was to dine throughout the region! Our local contacts pointed us toward their favorite places for lunch and dinner (places a tourist would never find on their own). We were always treated to a platter of Italian meats at each meal (and plenty of pasta too). Wine is a natural accompaniment to cheese, so it made an appearance quite often. Why is it that all red wine tastes so darn good in Italy? And how do the Italians manage to get through their day when they have wine with lunch? I’m pretty sure I’d be too sleepy to get back to work! 😉 Sam’s already carries Asiago cheese from Monti Trentini, Provolone from Aurrechio, and Gorgonzola from Igor. Sam’s Club will be introducing a “Gourmet Fine Cheese Island” in their club stores with newly discovered, imported cheeses. The plan is to begin displaying the islands in about 1/2 of their clubs beginning in August, with a gradual roll-out to eventually include the cheeses in all stores. At the conclusion of our trip, the buyers moved on to England, Ireland and Scotland to continue their search for the world’s best cheeses. Our group… from Sam’s Club and DCI Cheese Company (with me in the middle, trying to remain understated in a light shade of pink) + our Italian driver Giacomo (the one w/ the Italian leather jacket, of course) What an eye-opening trip! I have a much greater appreciation for the art of cheesemaking. We discovered some wonderful new products that Sam’s is excited about purchasing and adding to their cheese collection. I’ll be sharing more information about those products as I write about each cheese tour (I really think you’re going to enjoy the behind-the-scenes cheese-making action!). Stay tuned for some great recipes that will feature these Italian cheeses.
