Cheese of the Week: Sartori BellaVitano

A versatile cheese that is available in fun flavors like Espresso, Tennessee Whiskey and Raspberry Ale.

Images courtesy of Sartori Cheese.

Sartori BellaVitano has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and a creamy texture with a crystalline crunch. Think a young, creamy cheddar mixed with an aged Parmesan. Sartori describes the flavor sensations as "[beginning] in the mouth like a premium Parmesan and finishes in award-winning style with hints of melted butter." It has a thin, edible rind that is often rubbed or soaked in different flavorings. This highly decorated cheese has won dozens of awards both domestically and internationally.

What makes BellaVitano stand apart even more is the variety of tempting flavors that it is available in. The buttery, nutty flavor of BellaVitano marries oh so well with a variety of additions. How will you choose between Balsamic, Cognac, Rosemary and Olive Oil, Black Pepper, Merlot, Raspberry Ale, Espresso, Tennessee Whiskey, Chardonnay, and Garlic and Herb?! Perhaps the only option is to try them all. Sartori cheesemakers either soak the wheels or hand-rub the rinds with real ingredients to infuse BellaVitano cheeses with incredible flavor.

Sartori Cheese is a family owned and operated company located in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Sartori prides themselves on cheesemaking ability and heritage and are constantly striving to create new, innovative varieties. BellaVitano cheese was first introduced in 1999 and the inspiration came from traditional, Italian farmstead cheese.

The area around the Sartori dairy is known for its remarkable growing conditions. The soil, climate, and rainfall of the area all come together to create a perfect environment for dairy cows to live. The lush pastures on which the cows feed allows them to produce exceptional-quality milk. Sartori uses only this premium grade milk from local farms to make their award-winning cheeses. In fact, Sartori cheeses have a whole trophy case of awards, 374 to be exact (at the time of writing this post). You can buy BellaVitano on Sartori's website or, more than likely, at your local grocery store. Check out their full list of retailers here.

While pairings for BellaVitano vary by the flavor, the nutty, buttery sweetness of classic BellaVitano Gold is taken to the next level when enjoyed with Chianti, light Italian reds, IPAs, sweet cider, nuts, pears, and dried pineapple. Find out which accompaniments and beverages go best with your favorite BellaVitano variety by using Sartori's pairing guide.