Mountain Parmigiano Reggiano DOP – Aged 24 Months – Small Artisan Farm

Milk, salt, and rennet.

The Walk to Canossa

In January of 1077, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, excommunicated by Pope Gregory VII, crossed the frozen Alps in the dead of winter to reach the Castle of Canossa.

Tradition recounts that he waited for three days outside the fortress walls, kneeling in the snow, seeking the absolution of the Pontiff, who was a guest of Matilda of Canossa herself. That act transformed the balance of power between the Empire and the Church, etching the name of Canossa into history forever.

While grand history unfolded upon these hills, another masterpiece destined to traverse the ages was quietly coming to life in the local monasteries: Parmigiano Reggiano.

From the Lands of Matilda of Canossa

Nestled amid the woodlands and pastures of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, in the hamlet of Selvapiana di Canossa, this genuine Mountain Parmigiano Reggiano DOP comes to life.

These are the very lands that nearly a millennium ago belonged to Matilda of Canossa, one of the most remarkable figures of medieval Europe, central to the historic meeting between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV at the Castle of Canossa. Today, this land still preserves the deep-rooted bond with nature, heritage, and the time-honored craft of artisan hands.

Each wheel is crafted using milk from high mountain pastures and aged unhurriedly, yielding a Parmigiano of rich, refined, and authentic character—a pure expression of a singular terroir.

Philosophy

There are foods you purchase simply for their taste. And then there are foods you choose for the stories they hold within.

In the Lands of Matilda of Canossa, where the gentle slopes of the Apennines have cradled rural life for centuries, Parmigiano Reggiano is far more than a cheese: it is the harmonious union of nature, time, and heritage.

ForkEmilia selected this small artisan dairy because it embodies an uncompromising dedication to tradition. Here, the milk comes solely from local pastures, the cows feed on native grasses and hay, and every wheel is shaped following the very same gestures handed down through generations.

There are no shortcuts. Only milk, salt, rennet, and time. Time is indeed the true secret ingredient: the quiet master that transforms humble elements into a culinary treasure revered across the world.

Every wheel tells the tale of a land that witnessed the passage of emperors, popes, and countesses, yet fiercely preserved its most cherished treasure: the culture of honest, wholesome food. For this reason, ForkEmilia partners only with producers who share our deep commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and respect for the earth.

For us, this is not merely about offering Parmigiano Reggiano. It is about sharing an authentic piece of Emilia at your table—a land of devoted artisans, timeless landscapes, and traditions that endure in every single flake.

History – Parmigiano Reggiano DOP: Nine Centuries of Excellence

There are flavors that withstand the passage of time without ever losing their soul. Parmigiano Reggiano DOP is one of them.

Its story began nearly nine hundred years ago in the countryside of Reggio Emilia and Parma. It was Benedictine and Cistercian monks who perfected a method capable of transforming local milk into a cheese destined to become one of the most prestigious symbols of Italian gastronomy.

Even today, Parmigiano Reggiano is crafted in these very same lands, following the time-honored principles handed down through generations. The ingredients remain unchanged: milk, salt, and natural rennet. No preservatives, no additives. Only the mastery of artisan cheesemakers and deep respect for the rhythms of nature.

Every wheel is born from milk sourced exclusively within the designated origin area, requiring around 14 liters of milk for every single kilogram of cheese. Following the make, a long aging process begins, during which Parmigiano Reggiano develops its extraordinary aromatic complexity: notes of fresh milk, dried fruit, melted butter, meadow grasses, and warm spices harmonize in a balance found nowhere else in the world.

Protected by the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and subject to rigorous quality controls throughout the supply chain, this cheese stands today as one of the finest expressions of Italian craftsmanship.

Naturally Rich in Nourishing Qualities

Parmigiano Reggiano is a natural source of high-biological-value protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Throughout the aging process, proteins are broken down into easily absorbed amino acids, making it remarkably easy to digest.

Thanks to its traditional craftsmanship, it is also naturally lactose-free, with a residual content of less than 0.01 g per 100 g of product.

The King of the Table

Each aging stage tells a distinct story.

Younger wheels offer delicate, milky notes, while extended aging yields deep, intense aromas, a pleasantly crumbly texture, and an astonishing richness of flavor.

To be savored in flakes with a few drops of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena or Reggio Emilia, paired with a glass of Lambrusco, served alongside fresh fruit, or simply enjoyed on its own, Parmigiano Reggiano elevates every bite into an authentic culinary journey.

For us at ForkEmilia, it embodies the very essence of Emilia: a masterpiece born of the dedication, patience, and passion of the men and women who have preserved this peerless tradition for centuries.