January 24, 2023
Cheese Wisdom: An Italian cheese for truffle lovers
A slice of this feels like an indulgent treat
by Kristen Wile
This offering is one for truffle lovers. Photo courtesy of The Culture Shop
The cheese: Sottocenere al Tartufo, from Veneto, Italy
Available at: The Culture Shop, Plaza Midwood
Price: $30 per pound
The style: A semi-soft, pasturized cow’s milk cheese studded with black truffle
Flavor profile: The mildness of this cheese and the liberal addition of truffle throughout make for an indulgent bite that will please truffle lovers.
How to enjoy: Sliced on its own or with wafer crackers; grated over pasta or melted into cream sauce
Wine pairings: Cut through the creaminess of this cheese with a chenin blanc or lightly oaked chardonnay
Extra reading: You’ll want to cut the rind off this cheese before serving/eating it, as it’s coated in ash to help seal in the truffle flavor. Nutmeg, coriander, licorice, cloves, and fennel amp up the cheese’s aroma. Sottocenere translates to “under ash.”
