Cheese Tasting at CHEESE 2011
CHEESE is an international biennial event organized by the City of Bra and Slow Food. This year it was held from September 16 -19, 2011. Dedicated to “milk in all its shapes and forms,” it has created an international network of cheese-makers and artisans who gather in Bra every two years to present their products, meet co-producers, discuss the challenges of the trade and market prospects and share solutions to problems old and new.
CHEESE illustrates and explores the complexity of knowledge, needs, problems and resources linked to dairy products, turning the spotlight onto the three pillars on which dairy quality rests: milks, crafts and places.
CHEESE is held in the historic center of Bra, the Piedmont town where the Slow Food international movement was founded and where its association headquarters are based. Around 200 exhibitors set up stalls in the streets and squares of Bra, offering their products for tasting and purchase.
Not all milk is the same. It can come from cows, sheep, goats, even yaks and every animal species has a rich variety of breeds, many of which are at risk of extinction. These animals are often unsuited to the living conditions imposed by industrial farming. Their milk produces cheeses with a unique taste and story, the result of pastures and practices that constitute an invaluable environmental and cultural heritage. Most importantly, raw milk is a guarantee of the highest possible sensory quality and a close link to the land. Slow Food has led the battle for the recognition of raw-milk cheese quality, bringing it to an international level since the first edition.
Laboratorio del Gusto
During the CHEESE fair you can participate in various “Laboratori del Gusto”, where you can learn about particular cheeses or special productions or do some tasting and pairing with local wines or beers. At the one I participated in, we tasted local cheese and salami paired with local beers and wines. Amazing!
