A Cheese Lover’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

5 Picks to Get Cheesy with Your Valentine

Wine and cheese over candlelight are one of the many romantic ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day. This special occasion calls for an impressive cheese selection. The modern cheese board often has additional accouterments like prosciutto and nuts. However, the real stars of the show are the brilliant cheeses worthy of display. Since cheese platters have grown in popularity and are too delicious to pass up, we’ve rounded up some of the best Italian cheeses to impress your Valentine. 

Gorgonzola

This cheese was created by a cheesemaker who was in love and rushed to meet his lover in a hurry. As the legend goes, the cheesemaker left the cheese curds out overnight and in an effort to remedy his mistake he added new cheese curds to the batch. A few weeks later, blue mold formed around the cheese and birthed the delicious Gorgonzola cheese. A blue cheese created out of love couldn’t be more fitting for your Valentine’s Day. Love ultimately created this Italian blue cheese. 

Blu 61

In 2011, Cheesemaker Antonio Carpenedo created this cheese as a way to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary. The cheese was aged in Raboso Passito wine and topped with berries. At first glance, it has the appearance of a decadent cake. The sweetness of Blu 61 cheese makes it the perfect cheese. 

Primo Sale al Peperoncino

This cheese is the perfect way to add some spice on your date. Primo Sale al Peperoncino is mixed with bits of chili peppers adding nice heat and a kick of flavor. This cheese is made from southern Italian sheep's milk, which gives it a nice creamy texture. It must be mentioned that pepperoncini are also natural aphrodisiacs.

Scamorza

The flavor profile of scamorza is smokey yet milky - chewy, firm and stringy all at the same time. This cheese is commonly used as a substitute for mozzarella. It has a stronger flavor with subtle caramel notes. Scamorza is made with a combination of pasteurized cow and sheep’s milk which makes it a great melted cheese as well.

Ubriaco Pinot Rosé 

Rosé fanatics will meet their new favorite cheese. Sergio Moro’s latest creation is soaked in organic Pinot Grigio rosé, a dry, elegant sparkling wine. It retains the flavors of the wine without a potent alcoholic bite. The blush-colored rind is topped with dried rose petals. It’s just as beautiful and romantic to look at as it is to eat.