Discover the Flavours of Istria: Truffles, Olive Oil and Wine!

Croatia…to most people the name of this country will conjure up images of kilometres of beautiful coastline, brilliant beaches and bays, and sparkling azure water – the perfect place to go for a beach holiday. But lovely Croatia is not just about beaches and the ocean, and visitors will be delighted to discover that Croatia, and the Istria Peninsula in particular, is also home to a particularly good history of gastronomy. Istria is most famous for the wonderful truffles that come from the Motovun forests, but there is still more…! The region is also a producer of excellent Olive Oil and several Istrian wines that are starting to make a name for themselves in the international marketplace. Add to these the other elements of this very healthy Mediterranean diet, such as air-dried Istrian prosciutto (cured ham) and the enormous variety of seafood which is readily available all along the coast, and you have all the elements of a feast!

Istrian beaches are the best known features in the area

Truffles: In Istria, the truffle (tartufi) is king! In fact, the very largest truffle ever found in the world came from this region and weighed over 1.3kg! The most sought-after truffle is the more elusive white truffle, but both white and black truffles are eagerly “hunted” from late summer to early winter, using specially trained sniffer dogs or pigs to indicate where these gems are hiding beneath the soil in the Motovun forests. To learn all there is to know about truffles and to taste some of the best truffle dishes, you should try to visit Istria when one of the truffle festivals is on, usually during October and November.

Olive Oil: Istrian Olive Oil has been produced in the region for hundreds of years, since Roman times, and has a delightful delicate flavour, making it especially suitable to add to other Mediterranean foods to enhance, rather than over-power. Beautiful Olive Oils are produced all over Istria, but predominantly in the north western parts, and the best way to find your particular favourite oil would be to go on an Olive-Oil tasting tour.

Wine: What would good food be like without a good wine to accompany it? Luckily, in Istria you need not worry, as there is plenty of great wine to enjoy with your food. Wine has also been produced in Istria for centuries, since the Romans began the tradition. Recently wine-producing methods have been modernized and Istrian wines are ready to make their mark internationally. It is believed that the unique soil found in Istria is responsible for the quality of the delicious Malvazija Whites and rich Teran Reds produced here. The best way to find your personal favourites is to get onto the wine-roads and taste, taste, taste!

Grilled meats and fishes.

Once you are in Istria you will soon discover that the dishes are mostly cooked according the Mediterranean tradition that demands for grilling. Huge fireplaces with spit roast facility are very common in Croatia. In fact along busy road it is not uncommon to see the grilling of whole pigs that will be served at the nearby restaurant. But the grill is not reserved for meat you can eat BBQ ordada (sea bream), and sardelle (sardines), and as the Croatian will say: Adriatic fish is the best. Enjoy.

Some Traditional Istrian Dishes to Try:

Before you leave you have to try some of the delicious specialities of the region: Beautiful Prsut ( Istrian air-dried prosciutto) is often served thinly sliced with some of the very traditional local sheep cheese as a starter…just wonderful accompanied by a glass of Malvazija. One of the most popular ways of enjoying the fabulous truffles is to grate some fresh truffle over eggs, Pasta or a grilled steak; the latter should be teamed with a glass of Teran, for a true taste of Istria. Also very popular is fresh shell fish of all descriptions and calamari. All of these are often combined in a seafood stew or added to a risotto – famous black risotto includes squid- ink and is a delicious speciality. Enjoy with a fruity Malvazija. Salute!

Escape Venice: discover Pula in Croatia!

Everyone loves Venice, but after a few days, especially at the height of the tourist season, you may feel the need to escape the crowds and try something completely different. Have you considered visiting Pula in Croatia? Yes, it is in another country, but it is very easy to reach from Venice by car (in under 4 hours), bus (about 5 hours) or by high-speed ferry (less than 3 hours, but unfortunately only operating during the summer). The pretty town of Pula lies at the southern-most tip of the Istria peninsula and has a very rich and interesting history, many beautiful protected beaches with crystal-clear water, a mild climate and many unspoiled spots to enjoy nature.

What to do in Pula

Historic Sights:

Pula has been around since Roman times, (ancient Polensium) and there is a wealth of remarkably well-preserved buildings dating back to this period. The most impressive of them all is the Arena, a Roman Amphitheatre which overlooks the harbour, and is the 6^th largest surviving amphitheatre from the Roman Empire. This very large structure dates from the 1^st-century and could accommodate 20 000 spectators who came to watch the gladiators fight to the death. The 30mt high outer wall has survived almost entirely and contains two rows of 72 arches – it is most impressive and imposing. These days, people come to the amphitheatre to enjoy pop and classical concerts in summer and the Croatian film festival is held there every year in July. What a wonderful setting!

After exploring the Arena, you should take a walk towards the centre of the town to see the Arch of the Sergii, a Roman triumphal arch, before going to see the Temple of Augustus, a Roman temple built to honour the first Roman emperor. This is the only one of a group of three temples to have survived until today, although it required extensive reconstruction after WWII when it received a direct hit and was severely damaged. There are also some remaining ruins of the Temple of Diana.

Beaches: Pula has over a hundred km of coastline with some superb beaches waiting to be discovered. The beaches are generally pebbly, unfortunately, but at many beaches concrete terraces have been built out to the edge of the water, so that you can slide into the clear, warm Adriatic sea without walking over the pebbles! The one exception is the Bijeca Beach in Medulin, where there is a sandy stretch, making this the best beach for children. Some of the best other beaches are in Punta Verudela, Banjole, Fazana and Premantura. If you have your own transport just drive along the beautifully scenic coast and find your own favourite beach. Many water-sports are available, such as windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling.

Accommodation in Pula: Pula has plenty of accommodation for visitors and you will find many hotels all along the coast, and some excellent luxury resorts, and a few hostels. The mild weather makes camping in Pula very popular; there are several campsites right on the beach for campers to enjoy.

Food: Pula has an interesting selection of restaurants where you can sample the local Istrian cuisine, which is a bit of a fusion of Italian and Croatian traditional dishes, with a large emphasis on fish and meat, while pork, seafood and wine feature very prominently. (Many local wines are produced in Istria and you can drive along the Istrian Wine Roads and visit some of the cellars if you enjoy wine). There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants, making Pula an ideal holiday destination for families.

The 2013 Verdi Festival in Parma

Everybody knows that Parma is the home of some of Italy’s most famous exports, namely Proscuitto di Parma (Parma Ham), Parmesano Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese), Balsamic Vinegar and, of course, Ferrari and Maserati! But did you know that one of the greatest composers of all time also hails from the province of Parma? Giuseppe Verdi was born there in October 1813, and every year the region celebrates the life of one of their favourite sons! The Verdi Festival takes place every year in and around Parma and people come from near and far to listen to his operas being performed in his home territory. This year will be especially wonderful as 2013 marks the 200^th anniversary of his birth, and no effort has been spared to make this anniversary a very special showcase for his work.

Giuspeppe Verdi and Parma province.

Giuseppe Verdi was born in Le Roncole and later lived in near-by Busetto in the province of Parma. It is in Busetto that Verdi’s musical talent was first nurtured by Ferdinando Provesi, of the local Philharmonic. After some time spent in Milan learning all he could about music, the prodigy returned to the province of his childhood and became the town’s music teacher. His twenties were marred by great hardship when he lost both his children and his wife, but the Maestro went on to overcome his grief and his best works were composed in the years that followed his tragic loss.

The Giuspeppe Verdi Festival in Parma

The 2013 bi-centennial Verdi festival is a must for all opera lovers, and many special tours and opera packages have been arranged to bring music lovers to Parma. There will be an opera or concert every day at the historic Teatro Regio di Parma (which is also the final resting place of Nicolo Paganini, one of the most renowned violinists in the world) and at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Busseto. Many other side events will take place all over the countryside.

Attending a Verdi Opera or concert at the fabulous Teatro Regio in Parma is an experience you will not easily forget; the beautiful neoclassic style of the theatre makes this an exceptional venue to enjoy the music, and you will be moved by the enthusiasm of the local opera patrons who are very knowledgable about Verdi’s music and respond most enthusiastically.

Operas are usually performed in their original language, and if you do not speak Italian, your experience will be enhanced by reading the libretti – an English synopsis of the story of the Opera – before you arrive for the concert. ( Libretti usually accompany your tickets). Oh yes, do dress smartly for the Opera – on opening nights formal attire is the norm, and for the other performances at least a tie and/or jacket would be acceptable.

The 2013 festival runs from the 30^th September to the 31^stof October and you can browse all the performance dates and book online at:

http://www.teatroregioparma.org/verdifest/

Easy Beach-hopping from Cinque Terre

I am sure that everyone has heard of the lovely Italian Riviera, a more commonly-known term used to describe the coast of Liguria, between the Cote d’Azur in France and Tuscany in Italy. This almost crescent-shaped stretch of coastline is possibly the most beautiful in Italy and has been attracting visitors for many years; it is often referred to as the Golfo dei Poeti (gulf of poets) in honour of the many famous poets who have lived here for some part of their lives, such as Byron, Shelley, Hemingway and DH Lawrence. The stretch of coast is backed by the Maritime Alps and the shelter provided by this mountain range means that the Riviera has a very mild micro-climate; in short, it is just perfect for a beach holiday and today I am going to let you into a well-kept secret and tell you about 3 wonderful beaches to visit which are little known to anyone except the locals.

Lerici

If you are holidaying in the area, choose Cinque Terre as your base – a stretch of about 18km of rugged coastline and home to five most beautiful and characteristic pastel villages that just seem to pop out of the sea, tightly hugging the rocky coast. From Cinque Terre, it is easy to reach the wonderful beach at Lerici, just a few kilometres south. Here you will find a long stretch of protected beach, crystal-clear water and a new promenade for enjoyable strolling along the coast line. You can drive to Lerici from Cinque Terre, but in season the parking fills up very quickly; you can also take a ferry from Cinque Terre to Lerici.

Baia Blu

After you have enjoyed the attractions of Lerici, drive North around another impossibly beautiful section of coastline to Blue Bay (Baia Blu) beach “club”. This is a great place to spend a day in the sea and sun, (or in the shade if you prefer – umbrellas available!) There is plenty of parking and although you have to pay an entrance fee and extra for hiring an umbrella or deck chair, you do get access to two lovely rim-flow pools (one for children), the beach, solarium (tanning area off the beach) and there is the opportunity to take swimming, diving and aqua-aerobics classes. There are 300 “sites” with umbrellas and sun beds just waiting for you!

Palmaria Island

For a very different beach experience, be sure to visit Palmaria Island, situated just off the coast and accessed by ferry from Porto Venere. Palmaria Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and although most visitors come to hike around the island, (which you can do in about 2.5hrs) there are some good beaches on the island where you can relax and enjoy the fabulously clear water and the sun and scenery; the most popular beach is Gabbiano Beach where you can enjoy surfing and jet-skiing, in addition to lazing away the day! When you tire of the beach (is that possible?) you can go on a boat trip to see some of the caves on the island or visit some of the many WWII military relics.

Beach hopping tour for your group

We would love to organise your days our around Cinque Terre and pack them with activities such as hiking to the best beaches, beach hopping, gourmet tours and cooking classes along with fishing day out on the boat, just email us and we will have the best itinerary ready for you.

3 Reasons why Lucca is a Visitor’s Delight

Lucca has such a lot to offer visitors! This lovely town is one of Tuscany’s most outstanding medieval walled towns and a walk around the almost completely intact 4km stretch of ancient fortifications will transport you back in time, as well as help you work up an appetite for some of the lovely Tuscan food you can sample in the town. Lucca also has some outstanding art and architecture to show off, but most people who visit Lucca come to see the walls, the towers or to attend one of the many summer festivals, so we will have a look at these three attractions in more detail.

The Walls of Lucca.

Nowadays the walls are a popular meeting place for locals, and thronged with walkers and cyclists in summer, but this was not always the case and they have had a turbulent history. The original walls were defensive, and built during Ancient Roman times, and few traces of these are visible today. The original Medieval walls were built in the 11^th and 12^th century and in the 14^th century they had to be extended to accommodate the growing population of the town. The walls you see today were commissioned in 1504 in order to keep up with “modern” military advances, to ensure that Lucca could remain safe from the Medici. These walls were extremely advanced for their time, and required the collaboration of many Military architects from other parts of Italy. They were never breached! Along the 4 km stretch of walls you will find 11 bastions (all different from one another in design) and 3 gates. Inside the ramparts were large rooms to house soldiers, horses and munitions. The walls are always accessible to visitors and children especially will love exploring these ancient fortifications.

The Towers of Lucca

Lucca once had about 130 towers – representative of the power and wealth of the families who built them. Sadly, only 2 important towers remain today, the rest having been demolished long ago. The most recognizable symbol of the city is the Guinigi Tower which has a huge Oak trees growing from its’ roof top garden! You will have a wonderful view of the town from the top of this tower if you can manage the 235 steps to the top!

In the town you will also find the Torre delle Ore, or clock tower. This one is taller than the Guinigi Tower and has provided the citizens of Lucca with a clock since 1390! It is open to the public if you fancy climbing to the top for another great view.

Festivals in Lucca

The lovely Piazza san Guisto is home to many festivals throughout the year. Some of the most important are the Summer Festival, where live music concerts featuring world-class bands are held every July, the Winter festival featuring Jazz and soft rock, the Comics Festival – all you ever wanted to know about comics – and the Puccini Opera festival in July each year – (Puccini was born in Lucca and is greatly revered in this town.)

Lucca guided tours.

If you have only few hours it makes sense to hire a local guide. By doing so you can explore on the highlights of the city and discover the long history that characterised Lucca. The guides are professional individuals who are trained by the local government, the town can be explored on foot in 2/3 hours. You can reach Lucca from Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Florence and it the the ideal destination for a day trip while you are on vacation in Tuscany.

Brescia – Italy’s secret lake and wine destination.

Brescia is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy; not very well known outside of Italy, this commune (and town) is a fabulous region to visit with a great many attractions for visitors, which is probably why the Italians would like to keep it to themselves! The area is situated at the foot of the Alps and in close proximity to both Lake Garda and the lesser-known Lake Iseo, providing a very beautiful backdrop to enjoy all that the region has to offer, from sporting activities, art and culture, food and wine, and relaxation.

What to do in Brescia:

The city of Brescia has deep roots in the arts and culture. Within the town there is plenty of interesting architecture to admire, including the Piazza della Loggia, the Old and New Cathedrals (Duomo), as well as the Broletto (Medieval Town Hall) and the Monastery of Sal Salvatore. Also be sure to visit the Museum of Santa Giulia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. and the Roman ruins at Tempio Capitolino.

Lovely Lake Iseo:

After a good dose of art and history, head out to Lake Iseo and enjoy some of the many water related sports on offer. Explore on horseback or bicycle, go fishing, rowing, swimming or sailing. Once you have had enough exercise, lie back and be pampered at the Spa or just relax in the sunshine.

Wonderful Franciacorta Wines:

Lake Iseo is the gateway to the Franciacorta wine region, and touring the beautiful birthplace of this fine wine is one of the most compelling reasons to visit. Franciacorta is an excellent sparkling DOCG wine produced only in this area. It is made in the classic method from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Blanco which come from low-yield vines to ensure maximum flavour, and the terroir – cool lake breezes and gravely soils rich in minerals – ensures that this wine is Italy’s foremost rival to French Champagne.

Exploring the Franciacorta region: It is possible to drive yourself along the Strada del Vino and see some of the best known wineries in the area, including Berlucchi, Bellavisa, Castaldi Contadi and many others. However, if you do not speak Italian you may have some problems and the best way to experience the wines of the region and visit some of the cellars would be to go on an organised tour. Not not all the wineries are open to the public and some require an appointment; besides, you can enjoy more of the lovely bubbly Franciacorta if you are not driving! There are plenty of lovely restaurants in the area serving traditional local specialities and excellent international cuisine.

Getting to Brescia: It is easy to reach Brescia – fly into Milan airport and either hire a car (the best way to explore the area) or travel to Brescia by train and then hire your car there after you have explored the town.

Riva: One of the best destinations around lake Garda

The pretty town of Riva del Garda, (also known simply as Riva), sits nestled between the mountains and the shore of lovely Lake Garda in the Northern Italian province of Trento. This is a particularly charming lake town to visit, and has become very popular as a holiday resort for both Italians and many English- speaking visitors from outside the country.

Riva has plenty to offer her visitors; a mild Mediterranean climate means that it seldom gets uncomfortably hot in summer, when most people visit, making it the ideal location for action-packed holidays. Of course, there are lovely beaches, but if you like to be more active on your holiday, this is the place for you! The resort offers excellent opportunities for water-based sports such as sailing, wind-surfing, canoeing and fishing, but landlubbers are also well catered for. Hiking, cycling and mountain biking are very popular holiday activities in Riva – you can hire bikes at several places – and many people also come to enjoy playing tennis and golf. Those who just want to relax can explore the very attractive town, with her many Venetian-style buildings, wander around the Historic Centre, shop or just sit in one of the many outdoor cafes and enjoy an espresso while they watch the world go by.

Things to do and see in Riva

Explore the town and learn some of her history; Riva del Garda has been around for a very long time! Etruscan and Roman remains have been excavated, and it is documented that it was an important strategic town on the North/South trade route over the Alps. As such, it was necessary to build defensive structures to protect the town from invasions. Today you can visit some of the defensive structures that are still in place. Start with the Rocca, or castle near the harbour; built in the 12th century to protect the little town. Today the Rocca houses a museum which stages exhibitions about the history of the town. From the Rocca, you can walk to the Torre Apponale, the look-out tower of the town which was at one time connected to the castle by an underground tunnel. As defensive towers go, this one is quite modest – only 34 metres high – and dates from around 1300. You can climb to the top for a good view of the town and lovely Lake Garda. You can also take a walk (about 30min from the town) to the Bastione, once also a defensive structure on the wooded hillside above the town; today it is a museum and restaurant with excellent views.

Visit the Thermal Baths: the Garda region has been known for the curative properties of the thermal springs found around the lake and there are two excellent venues you can visit to “take the waters”; The Garda Thermal Park in Lazise or the Thermal Baths of Sirmione. This is a very relaxing way to spend a day or two.

Play some golf: Golfers are well catered for, with no less than 12 golf courses around the Lake, 3 of them within 30km of Riva.

Emilia Delizia offers chauffeured tours around Lake Garda for an unforgettable Italian experience please get in touch to know more.

Visiting Soave for wineries

The next time you visit Italy take the time to visit the charming and ancient town of Soave, just 23 km east of Verona in north-eastern Italy. If you thought you had to travel to Tuscany to see a walled hilltop village you are mistaken – Soave has all the necessary attributes and more!

Soave Wine

Most people will be familiar with the name Soave – the wine of the same name, produced all around the town, is world famous and probably the best known Italian wine after Chianti.

Soave is a white wine produced from predominantly Garganega grapes grown on the many hillside vineyards all around the town of Soave, and has been awarded DOC status.

Soave is produced in large quantities and in the past few decades the quality has been a little inconsistent. The introduction of stricter requirements for a Soave Superiore (minimum of 70% Garganega grapes, minimum alcohol content of 11.5% and at least 8 months maturation) has resulted in the production of some very fine Soave wines with much more character and flavour than was the case in the past. Some of the very best wines from the region are produced on family-owned and operated wineries and some of them are open to the public for cellar tours and tastings.

What to see and do in Soave

At the very top of your to-do list should be a cellar tour and tasting! Three of the foremost Soave wineries that you can visit and tour are:

Rocca Sveva: A visit to this winery is an experience you should not miss even if you are not a wine lover. You will be amazed at the sight of hundreds of meters of tunnels that have been excavated into the hills of the countryside – these tunnels are filled with thousands of oak barrels lined up along cool underground walkways. At the end of your cellar tour you will be treated to a tasting and both lovely Soave and other local products such as Olive Oil and honey are on sale in the winery shop

I Stefanini: A completely different experience awaits you at Il Stefanini where the last generation of the Tessari family, who have farmed the land since the 1800’s, have decided to combine elements of the old traditions and modern technologies. No Oak barrels here…(traditional Soave was never matured in oak)

Instead expect massive stainless steel tanks; not as romantic perhaps, but their wine is gaining acclaim in all the major guides and reviews.

Coffele Winery: This is one of the oldest wineries in the area and is situated right in the heart of the town. Their Soave Classico is a very well-balanced wine with an exceptionally mild acidity making it a perfect accompaniment to fish and risotto dishes. They also make two other complex Classicos and are well worth a visit.

After you have toured a couple of wineries, it is time to explore the town of Soave. The Castle and Medieval Walls are superbly intact and are the main attraction in the town. The castle is a traditional elevated defensive structure and dates from around 934. The medieval walls were a much later addition; they surround the town and lead up to the castle. On your visit to the castle you can see the remains of a 10th century church, visit the various castle rooms and the museum.

Also worth a visit are the Palace of Justice in the centre of town and the Palazzo Cavallli and the Scaliger Palace. There are also a few churches where you can see examples of 16th and 14th century art.

When it comes to food, you will not be disappointed. There are several good restaurants serving regional cuisine with plenty of emphasis on Risotto (Italy’s best Risotto rice is produced in the area) and Polenta, rather than Pasta, the more well-known Italian basic.

Make sure to accompany your meal with a glass of Soave made just around the corner!

Gourmet food and wine tours around Verona

The Verona province is blessed with wonderful places to visit each holding its unique speciality. From the hilly regions of Valpolicella and Prealps to the relaxing Lake Garda, you can spend a pleasant holiday in attractive tourist destinations and appreciate their culinary traditions.

Don’t think twice to enjoy one-day tasting tours to learn more about the following three gourmet food typical of Verona province: Amarone wine DOCG, extra virgin olive oil Garda DOP and Monte Veronese cheese DOP.

The unique flavour of Amarone wine DOCG

This extremely robust red wine made from dried grapes, gained DOCG recognition in 2009 and is appreciated for its bitter and fruity taste. The fine wine is the result of a blend of three grape varieties: Corvina – which gives the fruity flavour -, Rondinella and Molinara.

To be an authentic Amarone, the grapes must grow in the hillside areas mentioned below which best guarantee the deepness of their roots. After the harvest, the grapes are put in special rooms to let them dry for about 120 days, while the wine fermentation takes about 30-50 days.

Amarone della Valpolicella being its full name, clearly indicate the area of production, in the province of Verona. So if you love to visit vineyards and wine cellars you should book a gastronomic tour in the towns of the Valpolicella area – such as San Pietro in Cariano, Negrar, Fumane – but also in Valpantena, Val Tramigna, Val d’Illasi and Val di Mezzane. During the tasting tours you may heard about the Recioto della Valpolicella – the sweeter and less fermented version of Amarone. It is actually said that Amarone was only produced by chance because a Recioto bottle fermented longer than usual!

The golden olive oil from Lake Garda DOP

Always in the province of Verona, you can enjoy the wonderful countryside during a visit to olive grooves and oil mills in the surroundings of the magic Lake Garda. This corner of Verona province holds a long tradition in oil making dating back to the Romans. Today it is produced extra virgin olive oil Garda DOP characterized by an intense golden colour similar to green and by almond flavour.

There are many oil mills that you can visit to learn more about the king of the Mediterranean diet. We suggest to book an inspiring tour to the Olive Oil Museum of Bardolino founded in the eighties next to Lake Garda and to an ancient oil mill. The Museum exhibition is very interesting because you can learn more about history and culture of olive oil.

The gourmet Monte Veronese cheese DOP

The mountainous region of Lessinia awaits cheese and nature lovers. Prepare for a journey into this surprising territory part of the Prealps, where the cheese method of production apparently never changed: cow’s milk rigorously coming from cattle bred in the Lessinia area. You can find up to three varieties of Monte Veronese cheese on the market, each varying for hardness and taste – depending on the ageing length.

Book a tour with Emilia Delizia to the dairy factories in the Verona province to visit in person the ageing rooms but also the countryside from where this tasteful cheese with a delicate aroma of grass originates.

Monte Veronese Cheese, a delight of the Veneto Region

The intense flavour of Monte Veronese DOP

This fabulous cheese is produced in the northernmost part of the Verona province since medieval times, when the Lessinia valley was occupied by the Germanic tribe of Cimbrians. Other say that its production was introduced in this area by immigrants from Lombardy.

The hilly region of Lessinia is part of the Prealps chain and is a tourist destination all year round for its great natural places – in particular the Regional Park of Lessinia – where visitors can do excursions, birdwatching and have fun at the Malga San Giorgio ski resort.

A gastronomic tour is recommended to gourmet travellers to find out the typical product which gained the DOP recognition in 1996: the Monte Veronese cheese. Furthermore, the Consorzio di Tutela del Monte Veronese was founded to preserve its territory of origin, its method of production and, indeed, its authentic flavour.

A great way to taste it is to visit the town of Zeno di Montagna – province of Verona – during the food festival dedicated to San Zeno chestnuts, Bardolino wine and Monte Veronese cheese. You may also enjoy tours in the dairy factories of Peschiera del Garda, Lazise, Bardolino – all close to the marvellous Lake Garda – Bussolengo and San Pietro in Cariano, to name a few.

How Monte Veronese is produced

Monte Veronese DOP (or POD) is made only from cow’s milk. But the factor that makes this cheese so unique is that the milk is exclusively taken from cows bred in the Lessinia valleys. This element, together with the period of ageing – safeguards its organoleptic properties and original aroma of grass. You can recognize Monte Veronese varieties by the label colour and by the denomination clearly marked on them.

Monte Veronese Aging period and varieties

Monte Veronese made from whole milk needs an aging time of 25-40 days and can be recognized by the light green label. Your palate won’t forget its sweet long lasting flavour. Try it with marmalade to enjoy the contrast between bitter and sweet.

Monte Veronese d’allevo – made from skimmed milk – is called “mezzano” if aged for more than 90 days. Its savour slightly spicy makes it perfect to serve grated on many gourmet first courses such as risotto all’Amarone or as filling in ravioli. It’s great also with the radicchio rosso di Verona IGP (PGI). Check the light blue label when you buy it.

If you’re looking for strong flavours, then the Monte Veronese d’allevo vecchio – which period of aging goes between 6 months and 2 years – is the one for you. Labelled with a black tag, you will soon recognize it also by its pleasant flavour of almond. You’d rather enjoy it at the end of the meal matched with great Italian red wines such as Bardolino or Valpolicella.

There is another variety, called Monte Veronese di Malga, that can be served with other food (eggs, pears, walnuts) to emphasize its flavour or with other kind of cheeses. It is the ideal ingredient of recipes based on polenta or salty pies since it gives an intense taste to the dish. It is superb if matched with the strong flavour of truffles.

Emilia Delizia Monte Veronese cheese tour from Verona.

Are you ready for a gourmet travel in the Verona province? Our company organises cheese tours from Verona, Bardolino and the Valpolicella area. With our food experiences you can discover this magnificent products during your holidays in Italy.