HEVA – “Heroes of Europe: Volcanic Agriculture,” an international project aimed at protecting and promoting products from volcanic terroirs, made its triumphant debut at the acclaimed event dedicated to Italian and international cheese, Cheese 2023: “The Taste of the Meadows.”
From September 15 to 18, 2023, the city of Bra, in the heart of Piedmont, turned into a cheese lover’s paradise with the 14th edition of Cheese, an unmissable gathering for shepherds, cheesemakers, affineurs, and cheese enthusiasts from around the world.
This year, the event celebrated “The Taste of The Meadows,” emphasizing how milk from pasture-fed animals make the best cheeses, the kind that respect the territories, animal welfare, and our health.
With approximately 400 exhibitors coming from all regions of Italy and 14 countries, Cheese 2023 reaffirmed its position as the largest international event dedicated to raw milk cheeses. The fair attracted a diverse range of participants that allowed visitors to explore a wide variety of cheeses, ranging from traditional to innovative ones, as well as meet small local producers and globally renowned companies.
PARTICIPATION OF THE CONSORTIUM FOR THE PROTECTION OF MONTE VERONESE DOP CHEESE
HEVA took part in Cheese 2023 with the Consorzio Tutela Formaggio Monte Veronese DOP.
“The meadows is the theme that has inspired and energized this international event,” says Paola Giagulli, Director of the Consorzio Tutela Formaggio Monte Veronese, “Grazing on pasture is a very important element, because cheeses produced from milk of animals that feed on fresh grass are superior both in terms of flavor and nutritional qualities compared to others. Like our Monte Veronese PDO, which has been part of the Slow Food Presidia for many years. Our cheese is exclusively produced between May and October with milk from cows that graze on pastures. This is an extraordinary cheese, recognized as the product that truly expresses the best flavors of the meadows.”
Monte Veronese is an Italian protected designation of origin (DOP) cheese that is typical to the Veneto region. The milk’s area of origin and processing, as well as the aging of the cheese is located in the northern part of the province of Verona. It is mainly a mountainous area that resulted from ancient volcanoes and rich in fertile pastures. The territory boasts an ancient tradition of livestock farming, alpine grazing, and milk and cheese production dating back to before the first millennium.
The participation of the Consorzio Tutela Formaggio Monte Veronese DOP at Cheese 2023 highlighted the importance of protecting and promoting regional cheesemaking traditions, thus contributing to preserving Italy’s cultural and gastronomic diversity. This cheese is a culinary gem that carries the richness of the volcanic lands of Veneto.
Cheese 2023 once again demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion surrounding the world of raw milk cheeses. The growing interest in sustainability and the quality of raw materials indicates a promising future for this extraordinary gastronomic tradition. With the protection of regional cheese traditions and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, we can confidently look forward to a world where raw milk cheese continues to delight palates worldwide while respecting nature and its wonders.
