Can New World Cheeses Compete with Old World Classics?
Although there are scores of incredible European cheeses that simply do not have American counterparts, a number of Wisconsin creameries are making cheeses in the Old World style that can arguably stand up to the real thing. Here, Cheese Underground offers a side-by-side comparison of three European cheeses-- Asiago Fresco, Fontina D'Aosta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano-- with their top American rivals.
Here in America, we've got no lack of innovation. With less than 300 years of tradition to our name, we've got no PDO, DOC or AOC cheeses. Virtually anything goes. Some might even argue American cheesemakers have cheesemaking freedom that many European cheesemakers might envy. But that doesn't mean American, and especially Wisconsin cheesemakers, don't still look to their European counterparts for inspiration.
