Piedmont · Italy
Castelmagno.
Castelmagno greets you with an assertive earthiness—think damp Alpine cellar and crushed herbs—before revealing layers of tangy complexity and subtle blue-mold spice. Its crumbly, almost sandy texture dissolves on the tongue, releasing waves of mineral notes and wild mountain vegetation. The pungency is bold but never harsh, anchored by a creamy undertone that lingers long after the cheese has melted away.
Origin
45.1°N · 7.9°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Castelmagno dates to at least the 13th century — a 1277 arbitration records pasture rents paid in wheels of Castelmagno. It is one of Italy's most ancient cheeses.
The crumbly texture results from the curd being cut twice during production. By the late 20th century production had nearly died out, but revival efforts helped it earn PDO status in 1996.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · raw
- Family
- Blue
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 2–5 mo
- Protected
- PDO · since 1996
- Intensity
- 4 / 5
- Texture
- semi-hard
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Castelmagno's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for blue cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a thin or wire knife and wipe it between cuts; aim for wedges that share the veins evenly.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Castelmagno.
43 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Castelmagno are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Castelmagno at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
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