The PDO specification: what it is used for and why it guarantees the best Fontina possible

The PDO specification plays a fundamental role in the production of the only true Fontina PDO. The history of this cheese is ancient and has always been linked to the culture and identity of the mountain communities that produce it, at Aosta Valley. In order to preserve this renowned and long-lived tradition, the set of rules - from the characteristics of the raw materials to the labelling methods - must be certain, even strict.

In order to guarantee the genuineness and quality of this excellent cheese product, production regulations with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) have been established. A decalogue of rules and requirements with one great aim: to ensure the best possible Fontina PDO.

What the PDO specification is for

The acronym PDO stands for Protected Designation of Origin and is a European recognition given to food products that come from a specific geographical area and follow strict and traditional production rules.

Seeing the “PDO” mark is a guarantee: it is a seal of quality for food products closely linked to a tradition and a territory, demonstrating the origin and authenticity of the product, as well as preserving its unique characteristics.

The PDO specifications, therefore, represent a veritable “manual” that regulates in detail the production of Fontina PDO and specifies all the aspects involved:

• the name to be protected and the traceability elements;
• the processing and characteristics of the milk (raw, whole, from a single milking and produced by cows belonging to the Valle d'Aosta breed);
• the curing process and the requirements of the warehouses in which it is carried out (such as humidity and temperature conditions);
• the definition of the delimited geographical area (strictly the autonomous region Valle d'Aosta);
• production techniques and local methods;
• labelling;
• the organoleptic, microbiological, chemical and physical characteristics of the final cheese.

The PDO specification is drawn up by experts in the sector, in collaboration with the competent authorities, and is periodically updated to preserve the quality and authenticity of the product. It represents the reference text, which must absolutely be respected, in order to bear the PDO mark and obtain a Fontina PDO of the highest quality.

The guarantees of the PDO specifications for Fontina

There could therefore be no the Fontina PDO without the PDO specification; and this offers multiple guarantees for both end consumers and producers.

Consumers are given the certainty of having an authentic and genuine product in their hands, coming from a specific geographical area and made according to centuries-old traditions. Fontina PDO, in fact, is produced exclusively in the Alpine valleys of Valle d'Aosta, thus guaranteeing the preservation of the unique characteristics linked to this territory.

For producers, on the other hand, the PDO specification represents an identity mark that guides them in production and guarantees consistency with traditional techniques and the protection of original recipes. Moreover, the PDO mark offers recognition and added value to the product, rewarding the efforts and high quality of production.

The best Fontina possible thanks to the PDO specification

It is clear, at this point, why the PDO specification is essential to guarantee the best Fontina possible. The strict rules it imposes - from the selection of raw materials to the manufacturing processes to where, and how, maturing should take place - have been specifically designed to ensure that a cheese with exceptional organoleptic and quality characteristics is obtained.

It is thanks to these precise regulations that Fontina PDO has an elastic and soft paste, a uniform colour and an aromatic and persistent flavour.

The ripening process contributes to a complex and balanced taste: this is what makes Fontina PDO a popular and renowned cheese a international level and an incredible ingredient for many tasty recipes.

The PDO specifications are a pillar of the production of Fontina PDO and guarantee its authenticity, quality and respect for traditions; they represent, black on white, the agri-food code which gives life, every year, to the wheels of Fontina PDO. It represents a precious guide for both producers and consumers and allows the preservation and valorisation of the extraordinary wine and food heritage of the Alpine valleys of the Aosta Valley.