Grana Padano is an iconic cheese, an explosion of flavor that conquers the palate with its unmistakable aromatic intensity and its grainy texture.
A sensory experience that becomes an indelible memory.
But did you know that the secret of Grana Padano lies in its long maturing process?
Just like a fine wine, Grana Padano refines its taste and characteristics over time, giving us ever new and surprising nuances.
Have you ever found yourself lost in the supermarket aisles, unsure which wheel of Grana Padano to choose?
Don’t worry, because today we will guide you through the different aging stages, helping you select the one that best suits your taste.
The Grana Padano maturing process
Only the wheels that pass rigorous checks and thorough maturing can bear the official fire-branded Grana Padano PDO mark.
This process requires time, patience, and skill, governed by the Official Grana Padano Consortium.
At the end of production, the wheels of Grana Padano rest in large insulated environments.
An almost magical silence envelops thousands of wheels arranged on towering shelves, creating an atmosphere rich with intense and unique aromas.
The temperature, humidity, and ventilation are controlled with millimetric precision to create the ideal conditions for maturing.
This process lasts a minimum of nine months, during which each wheel is turned and carefully cleaned every two weeks by tireless 4.0 automatic machines.
It is during this resting period that Grana Padano develops its unique organoleptic characteristics: the bold flavor, the grainy texture, and the unmistakable aroma that make it an Italian excellence appreciated worldwide.
Each wheel is the result of a wise tradition and technological innovation in the service of taste.
Grana Padano: aged between 9 and 14 months
Between 9 and 14 months, Grana Padano offers a unique sensory experience. Its taste is delicate, with notes of fresh milk blending into a smooth harmony.
The straw-colored paste indicates ongoing aging, giving the cheese a perfect consistency for grating or enjoying in cubes.
A versatile cheese for everyday cooking, Grana Padano aged 9 to 14 months is the ideal ingredient to enhance pasta dishes, risottos, salads, and main courses with its unmistakable flavor. Its delicacy also makes it perfect for pairing with appetizers or enjoying on its own as a snack.
A perfect match with young, fresh white wines. To best highlight the delicate flavor of Grana Padano at this stage of aging, we recommend pairing it with fresh and light white wines to create an unforgettable harmony of flavors.
Grana Padano: aged between 16 and 18 months
Between 16 and 18 months, Grana Padano transforms into a true symphony of flavors.
The taste becomes savory, never sharp, and is enriched with notes of dried fruit and hay that tantalize the palate.
The straw color deepens, while the texture becomes grainy, providing a pleasant sensation with each bite. Lactate calcium crystals and the classic flaky fracture complete the picture of a perfect cheese.
A versatile cheese for discerning palates, Grana Padano aged 16 to 18 months is ideal for those seeking a bold and refined taste.
It is perfect for enhancing first courses but also excellent enjoyed on its own, in cubes, for an aperitif or a cheese dessert.
A perfect match with soft, full-bodied red wines.
To accompany Grana Padano at this stage of aging, we recommend pairing it with red wines.
Their smooth and enveloping taste will create a harmonious contrast with the savoriness of the cheese, highlighting its best characteristics.
Grana Padano: aged between 20 and 24 months and beyond
Grana Padano Riserva, aged over 20 months, represents the pinnacle of quality and taste.
This cheese earns the “Riserva” mark after an additional inspection and a second fire-branding, signifying its excellence.
An explosion of flavors and aromas.
The taste of Grana Padano Riserva is rich, full, and fragrant, yet delicate at the same time. It achieves a perfect balance, reminiscent of butter, hay, and dried fruit.
The grainy texture is even more pronounced, with a marked presence of lactate calcium crystals and an intense, uniform straw color.
A unique sensory experience. Grana Padano Riserva is perfect for enjoying on its own, to fully appreciate its complexity and refinement.
This unique sensory experience is best complemented by pairing with sweet dessert wines or robust, aged red wines.
Grana Padano Riserva is the ideal choice to satisfy the most discerning palates and to make every meal a true celebration of flavors. This cheese offers an unmistakable delight with every bite.
