Occelli Castagno
Occelli Castagno, or to give it the full name “Occelli in foglie di Castagno (in Chestnut leaves)” is a farmstead cow’s milk cheese from Beppino Occelli. It is aged a year and a half and wrapped in chestnut leaves, keeping the cheese moist and imparting a heady aroma and sweet flavour.
Beppino Occelli began his life in the dairy industry back in 1976. you could say he’s possibly been ahead of the trend or even as bold as to say he’s been a trendsetter, firstly with his butter, judged amongst the finest in the world, and later with his cheeses.
He has always had a profound love for the land of his birth, the Langhe and the Alps. This has led him to create his own style and interpreted new products from his beloved region, most notable truffles from Piedmonte, an area well known for its prized truffles such as the truffle d’Alba. However, unlike France’s truffles where the prized ones are black Italy’s truffles tend to range from a light cream to a brown with white flecks. The much sought after truffles are harvested in the winter months from October to December, but summer truffles are also found all over Europe but are less pungent
Tasting Notes
Occelli in Foglie di Castagno, like most cheeses from Piedmont, is made under a perfect storm of correct milk ratios and only when the chestnut leaves are fresh. The cheese is firm with a crumbly texture, and an earthy aroma gives way to a sweet, nutty, slightly musty flavour.
Wine Pairing
The majority of red Italian wines from the north of Italy are a perfect pairing for this. Chianti, Sangiovese varietal, Amarone, Barolo, Brunello, Barbera, Primitivo. If the wine needs to be decanted for at least 60 minutes, then the wine is worthy of this cheese.
Show only reviews in English (4)
Bradley Caliva –
Delightful cheese. I had it paired with the 16 Rosso on the recommendation by savvy gentlemen I met on Wechat. Highly recommend, I will be buying again next time I want to make a cheese board.
CPmkI –
I bought this cheese as a bundle with 16 Rosso, and my wife and I pigged out on it last night.
Super-flavorful cheese, nutty and tangy immediately with just a bit of blue cheese funk at the end. I’m usually not a fan of blue cheese funk, but the slight hint here was a nice touch. We only wish there were more in the package!
Henry Wolff / The Dane –
I just tried a tiny pieces, room temperature, the taste is like a direction of Cheddar, but also nutty, fatty taste as well – the taste last long and I recommend to enjoy it in small tiny pieces. For sure a cheese to go on any cheese board
Julian Mergenthaler –
Exquisite cheese! Tastes comparable to an aged parmigiano, but more complex due to the sheeps milk. Interesting aromas and flavours from the leaves. It is somewhat oily when warm, not dry at all. One of the best cheeses i have tried!