Explore Tenuta’s Deli Cheese Glossary: Italian, Wisconsin, and More

January 16, 2025

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When you think of cheese, Wisconsin comes to mind—it’s the Cheese State for a reason! At Tenuta’s Deli, located in the heart of Kenosha, Wisconsin, we take immense pride in offering an unmatched selection of cheeses, spanning traditional Italian varieties and locally made Wisconsin favorites. Whether you’re a cheese connoisseur or just exploring the culinary world of cheese, Tenuta’s is your one-stop shop for everything cheesy.

Cheese Glossary: Italian Classics, Wisconsin Favorites, and More

To help you navigate our impressive collection, we’ve created a glossary of our cheeses, complete with descriptions and pairing suggestions. From the sharp nuttiness of Parmigiano Reggiano to the creamy indulgence of Burrata, here’s what you’ll find at Tenuta’s:

Italian Classics

Description: A rich, tangy, and semi-hard Italian cheese with a sharp bite.

Pairing: Serve with fruit preserves or honey.

Description: A creamy Sardinian cheese with a mild, buttery flavor.

Pairing: Pair with light white wines or crackers.

Brigante

Description: Made from water buffalo milk, it’s creamy, soft, and slightly tangy.

Pairing: Enjoy in Caprese salads or atop fresh pizza.

Description: A fresh cheese with a creamy center and soft mozzarella shell.

Pairing: Drizzle with olive oil and pair with heirloom tomatoes.

Belgioioso Burrata

Description: A stretched-curd cheese with a mild, salty flavor and smooth texture.

Pairing: Great for grilling or shaving over salads.

Vantia Caciocavallo

Description: A firmer relative of mozzarella, with a slightly smoky flavor.

Pairing: Ideal for melting on pizzas or paninis.

Grana Padana

Description: A semi-hard, basket-aged cheese with a crumbly texture and tangy flavor.

Pairing: Enjoy with olives and crusty bread.

Incanestrato

Description: A buttery Italian cheese encased in wax for a smooth, rich flavor.

Pairing: Spread on warm bread or crackers.

Belgioioso Manteche

Description: Known as the “King of Cheeses,” Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, granular cheese with a nutty, umami flavor.

Pairing: Grate over pasta, enjoy with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, or pair with red wine.

Description: A hard, nutty cheese with a dense texture, similar to Parmigiano.

Pairing: Enjoy with pears or sparkling wine.

Agriform Piave

Description: A young sheep’s milk cheese with a salty, fresh flavor.

Pairing: Enjoy with tomatoes or olive oil.

Vantia Primo Sale

Description: A semi-hard cheese with a mild to sharp flavor, depending on its age.

Pairing: Perfect in sandwiches, melted over meats, or enjoyed with crusty bread.

Heart Of Provolone

Description: A soft, creamy cheese with a mild, sweet flavor.

Pairing: Use in lasagna, desserts, or as a spread on toast.

Description: A creamy Italian cheese with subtle nutty notes.

Pairing: Serve with honey or figs.

Description: A firmer relative of mozzarella, with a slightly smoky flavor.

Pairing: Ideal for melting on pizzas or paninis.

Scamorza

Description: A creamy, stringy cheese made from mozzarella and cream.

Pairing: Serve atop crostini or fresh tomatoes.

Description: A washed-rind cheese with a soft texture and tangy, earthy flavor.

Pairing: Pair with crusty bread and a bold red wine.

Taleggio

International Specialty

Description: A Swiss-style cheese with a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

Pairing: Pair with ham and rye bread for a classic sandwich.

Description: A Swiss cheese with a firm texture and a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

Pairing: Perfect for fondue, quiches, or melting atop French onion soup.

Description: A firm, grillable cheese with a salty, savory flavor.

Pairing: Grill and serve with lemon or fresh herbs.

Halloumi

Description: A semi-hard cheese with a mild, buttery flavor, popular in Mediterranean cuisine.

Pairing: Slice for charcuterie boards or melt into baked dishes.

Description: A semi-hard Greek cheese with a slightly tangy, buttery taste.

Pairing: Use in casseroles or enjoy with olives.

Bel Gioioso Kasseri

Description: A Greek hard cheese with a salty, nutty flavor.

Pairing: Use in Saganaki or grated over pasta.

Description: A Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk, with a nutty, tangy flavor.

Pairing: Pair with quince paste and Rioja wine.

Description: A Greek cheese with a firm texture and salty, tangy flavor.

Pairing: Grate over pasta or enjoy with fresh fruit.

Description: A semi-soft French cheese with a mild, creamy flavor.

Pairing: Pair with light red wines or fresh fruit.

Description: A semi-hard cheese with a creamy, nutty flavor that melts beautifully.

Pairing: Melt over potatoes, bread, or charcuterie for a cozy indulgence.

Raclette Suisse

Description: A firm, nutty cheese from sheep’s milk.

Pairing: Grate over soups or enjoy with roasted nuts.

Description: A rich, crumbly blue cheese with a tangy flavor.

Pairing: Pair with port wine or use in salads.

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The Brands Behind the Cheeses

At Tenuta’s, we work with a curated selection of top cheese makers from around the world and right here in Wisconsin. Each brand brings its own craftsmanship, tradition, and unique flavor profiles to our deli. Here’s a look at the names behind the exceptional cheeses you’ll find in our store:

Imported Cheese Makers

These world-renowned cheese makers bring international flavors to your table.

  • Agriform: Italian cheese consortium specializing in Asiago and Gorgonzola.

  • Amber Valley: Specializes in British cheeses, including tangy Stilton and classic Cheddar.

  • Auricchio: Italian masters of aged Provolone.

  • Boursin: Iconic for its creamy, spreadable cheese with herbs and spices.

  • Castello: Known for creamy Havarti and bold blue cheeses, Castello is a Danish favorite with a long history of artisanal cheese-making.

  • Clawson: British producer of award-winning Blue Stilton and blended cheeses.

  • Finlandia: A Finnish brand offering high-quality cheeses like Swiss and Gouda.

  • Fromagerie Guilloteau: French experts in creamy cheeses like Saint Angel Triple Cream.

  • Gran Valle: Renowned for Manchego and other Spanish cheeses.

  • Henri Hutin: A French producer famous for Brie and Camembert with rich, creamy textures.

  • Jarlsberg: A Norwegian classic with a mild, nutty flavor and signature holes.

  • Kaserei Champignon: German makers of specialty cheeses like Cambozola and Mushroom Brie.

  • La Bonne Vie: French-inspired cheeses like goat cheese and Brie.

  • Latteria Soresina: Makers of premium Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano.

  • Locatelli: Known for exceptional Pecorino Romano.

  • Pinna: Producers of Sardinian pecorino and ricotta.

  • Societe: Famous for authentic Roquefort, made from sheep’s milk.

  • Somerdale: Specialists in British cheeses, from Red Leicester to Double Gloucester.

  • Tipperary: Irish cheeses with bold flavors, including vintage cheddar.

  • Vantia: Importers of high-quality Italian cheeses like Provolone and Asiago.

Wisconsin Cheese Makers

We’re proud to support local Wisconsin cheese makers who continue the state’s legacy of excellence.

Other Notable Brands

We also stock beloved brands from across the country and around the world.

  • Caputo: Experts in ricotta and mascarpone.

  • Lioni: Specialists in fresh mozzarella and burrata.

  • Mancuso: Traditional Italian-style cheeses.

  • Maytag: Producers of award-winning blue cheese from Iowa.

  • Milton Creamery: Iowa-based makers of Prairie Breeze Cheddar.

  • Savencia: A global cheese producer offering luxurious, creamy cheeses.

  • Vermont Creamery: Specializing in goat cheese and cultured butter.

Visit Tenuta’s Deli Today

At Tenuta’s Deli, we combine Wisconsin’s cheese heritage with global flavors to create a cheese selection like no other. Come in today to explore these exceptional brands, try a sample, and find your next favorite cheese!

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Not just a grocery store, we’re an experience.

Not just a grocery store, we’re an experience.

We may be famous for our exceptional assortment of quality Italian food and beverages, although store patrons will tell you they keep coming back for the one-of-a-kind experience we provide.