Grana Padano is one of the most appreciated cheeses not only in Italy but also throughout the rest of the world. Last November Ma-Vi Trade participated in the Bellavita Expo in London, bringing Grana Padano produced by an important dairy in the province of Piacenza: Latteria Sociale Stallone. The 24-month Grana Padano Piacentino received 2 Bellavita stars.
A bit of history of Grana Padano PDO
Grana Padano cheese was created for the first time in the 12th century thanks to the monks of the Chiaravalle abbey. During that period, the marshy area near the Po river was reclaimed and both agriculture and livestock farming developed. Very soon the production of food and milk increased until it exceeded the demands of the inhabitants. It was then that the monks, following several attempts, found a way to preserve milk: by producing a hard cheese, known today as Grana Padano. At the end of the 11th century, the commercialization of "old cheese" (because aged) was already an established reality with a real commercial network and branches in the most important cities. In the first decades of the 12th century, during the reign of Frederick II, "grana cheese" had assumed such prestige and value that the wheels were used to make prestigious gifts, as well as for exchange and payment.
Curiosities about the name "Grana Padano"
"By virtue of its long aging, the monks call this new cheese "caseus vetus" or "old cheese", to emphasize what distinguishes it from other cheeses of previous tradition which, being fresh, must be consumed quickly. However, the country people, who are not familiar with Latin, prefer to call it "grana" by virtue of its compact paste dotted with white granules, or small calcium crystals residual from the transformed milk. Depending on the provinces in which it is produced, the term indicating its origin is added. Among the most cited are the lodesano, considered by many to be the oldest, the milanese, the piacentino and the mantovano."
(source: https://www.granapadano.it/it-it/la-storia.aspx)
PDO Certification
Over time, Grana Padano became increasingly known throughout Italy. Over the years, the production process and processing phases remained unchanged. For this reason, after centuries, in 1954 the Grana Padano Consortium was founded, within which all producers and traders of Grana Padano gathered. In fact, the consortium took charge of controlling and regulating the production and trade of Grana Padano, an activity it still carries out today.
In 1996 the European Union recognized the Protected Designation of Origin for Grana Padano. Quality guarantee because PDO products represent the excellence of Italian agri-food production. Italy is, in fact, the European country with the largest number of agri-food products with Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication recognized by the European Union: 295 PDO, PGI, TSG (traditional specialty guaranteed) products and 523 DOCG, DOC, IGT wines.
How is it made and where is Grana Padano produced?
Even today, Grana Padano can (and must) be produced in specific areas of Northern Italy. In fact, only producers located in some of the provinces of the following regions can produce this cheese: Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Trentino and Emilia-Romagna (in the latter we find, for example, the provinces of Piacenza, Bologna, Ravenna...).
To learn more about Grana Padano, read our Parmigiano Reggiano vs Grana Padano: Export Guide.
Grana Padano the most exported PDO product in the world
Italian food and wine Made in Italy is always highly appreciated and purchased abroad and, in particular, cheeses and cured meats are more in demand in the world, in fact they develop a turnover equal to almost 80%. Grana Padano occupies the absolute first place.
"In 2019 we expect to export approximately 42% of branded production (data from 31/5/2019 projected to 31/12/2019, ed.). Data that make Grana Padano a true flagship of Made in Italy taste in the world".
Stefano Berni, General Director of the Grana Padano Protection Consortium, source: https://www.granapadano.it/it-it/grana-padano-dal-2002-al-2019-produzione-aumentata-del-35.aspx)
In fact, also for the year 2019 Grana Padano turns out to be the PDO product most sold and exported worldwide. With approximately 5 million wheels sold in the last year, it is at the top of this special ranking.
Latteria Sociale Stallone – history of the dairy in Verdian territory
Latteria Sociale Stanno Soc. Coop. A.R.L., near Piacenza, is one of the most important Grana Padano producing companies in the province. It was founded in 1946, after the end of World War II, by 26 owners and tenants of rural funds in the area.
In the 1970s, agriculture underwent a change of course due to the reduction of workers in the countryside, who migrated to the cities. Rural areas were abandoned or passed into the hands of large landowners. Despite the general situation, Latteria Sociale Stallone managed to overcome this moment of crisis.
In 1991 a fire destroyed the warehouse with several wheels of Grana Padano.
After the accident, all members and producers committed to the reconstruction of the structure, which took place in a short time.
The Piacenza dairy today
Today Latteria Sociale Stallone relies on the support of 13 members and produces approximately 30,000 wheels of Grana Padano per year.
In recent years, they have also made some improvements to the processing plant, for example by introducing a machine that helps turn the cheese wheels.
In 2018, Latteria Sociale Stallone created a new cheese packaging unit.
Bellavita Expo London 2019
On November 7 and 8, 2019, Ma-Vi Trade took part in the Bellavita Expo in London. It is the most important international fair dedicated to food excellence from all over the Mediterranean.
Precisely on this occasion, the 24-month Grana Padano Piacentino, produced by Latteria Sociale Stallone, received 2 Bellavita stars. Several judges evaluated all products based on six criteria: taste, packaging and branding, history, innovation, eco-sustainability and relevance for the UK market. Products that finally obtained an average of more than 7 points receive one star, more than 8 points two stars and more than 9 points three stars (the maximum).
Source: https://www.bellavita.com/it/awards/london-2019/
Exporting high quality Italian products is our main objective, for this reason we are proud to have obtained such an important recognition.
