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Under the spot light in this episode is Gorgonzola, the grandaddy of all European blue cheeses made from cows milk and its cousin cave ripened Tallegio, which until recently was one of Italy’s great soft cheese secrets. Cheese authority Will Studd travels to Northern Italy to see how and where these fascinating cheeses are created. He visits Lombardy, and the maze of underground cellars in the town of Novara where more than 70% of Gorgonzola is matured. Then it’s off to the foothills of the Alps where caves cooled by melting snow are still used to ripen Tallegio the old fashioned way by the Mauri family

Gorgonzola and Cave ripened Taleggio - Italy

The Poitou region is the original home of many of the famous goat cheeses of France and for this episode of Cheese Slices, Will Studd journeys to the village of Sainte Maure de Touraine to attend the annual Goats Cheese fair. In the Judge’s Hall he finds out what to look for in a perfect chevre, as well as witnessing an unusual inthronisation ceremony. After visiting a typical goat dairy and a battlefield near Poitiers which changed the course of French history, Will tours the largest goat cheese dairy in France. There he explains the difference between St Maure, the most popular goat cheese in France today, and its ancestor Sainte Maure de Touraine

The Goats Cheese of Poitou - France

Parmigiano Reggiano is the undisputed king of Italian cheese and is still made by hand the old fashioned way in giant copper cauldrons. Will Studd explains the extraordinary steps taken to control production of this wonderful cheese, and witnesses its birth, a process that is nothing short of magical. Filmed in the beautiful countryside near Parma in Reggio Emilia, Will meets the Biemme family who have been making benchmark cheese for four generations, and visits the farm and maturation rooms to see how this cheese is matured by robots before being graded by a stagionatura. Then it’s off to investigate the thousand year old Grana Padano and learn why it’s different to its famous cousin, as well as the correct definition of parmesan.

Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano - Italy

Pecorino is one of the most ancient of all European cheeses, and in this episode Will Studd explains the different types before travelling to Tuscany to visit the ‘Il Forteto’ dairy. Formed by a group of social reformers in the 70's, this cooperative has since grown to become one of the largest producers of Pecorino Toscano DOP. After ‘Il Forteto’ it’s off to the town of Bra in Piedmont where ‘Slow Food’ hold the world largest specialist cheese festival every two years, on this occasion they are celebrating traditional shepherd’s cheeses. We learn why raw milk cheese is crucial to ‘Slow Food’ and the importance of protecting biodiversity for future generations.

Pecorino Toscano - Italy

Camembert is a potent symbol of French cheese making and is copied all over the world. If you want the real thing, look no further than traditional Normandy Camembert which is made under strict AOC rules from unpasteurised milk. Will Studd visits the tiny village of Camembert where it all began, and the nearby dairy of Monsieur Durand who is now the last ‘fermier’ or farmhouse producer in the region. Then it’s off to the beaches of Normandy and the Cooperative of Isigny St Mere, one of the most respected producers of traditional AOC Camembert in France. Will explains the important difference between camembert and its ancient cousin brie and pops into the cheese shop of Monsieur Roland Barthlemy in Paris, a famous affineur who supplies the Elysee Palace.

Normandy Camembert - France

The world’s most copied cheese is Cheddar which originally came from the green countryside of Somerset in England. In this episode, Will Studd travels to meet the last two farm producers of cloth bound cheddar in the county that still make cheese from raw milk by hand. How it is made, and the all important cheddaring process is explained, before we visit a local cider maker and the famous gorge and caves of Cheddar. Then it’s time to cut and grade the cheese with Randolph Hodgson of Neals Yard Dairy fame at London’s Borough Market.

Farmhouse Cheddar - Somerset, England

The Irish have made cheese since Celtic times, but surprisingly, it’s only in the past decade that artisan cheese-makers have revived this ancient art, producing some exciting cheeses. Will explores the spectacularly rugged southwest coast to try some of the more unusual varieties and discovers that despite the renaissance, huge challenges lie ahead for cheese-makers who want to use raw milk

The Irish Cheese Renaissance

Dating back 700 years, Comté Gruyere is one of the most popular cheeses in France, and the most important made under the strict French appellation system. Will traces the important link between farmer, cheese maker and affineur (ripener) before visiting the old fort of Saint Antoine, where 60,000 crusty wheels are matured underground. Then it's off to a small farm to discover how Comté‘s close cousin, Morbier, acquired its black stripe.

Comté Gruyere and Farmhouse Morbier

Until recently, many of Spain’s traditional cheeses were unknown outside their homeland. Will travels to the land of Don Quixote to look at the rich ewe’s milk cheese Manchego before visiting a cheese fair in the medieval city of Trujillo to savour Queso de la Serena, made with ewe’s milk and set with thistles. Then he drives to the magnificent Picos Europa mountains to look at cave-ripened Cabrales and Valdeon.

Spanish Traditional Quesos - Spain

The inestimable Roquefort, with a history dating back to Roman times, is the most popular blue cheese in France. Up till today, blue cheeses throughout the world still rely on moulds originating in the region’s limestone caves. Will travels to a typical hillside dairy to look at the region’s unique breed of milking ewes before visiting the area’s famous caves, where he is inducted into the Grand Order of Roquefort in a special ceremony.

The Legend of Roquefort

In its short history, Australia has developed an enviable reputation for its efficient pasture-based dairy system and significant exports of cheddar, butter and skimmed milk. Over the past two decades a small group of passionate cheese makers have introduced a unique range of farmhouse cheeses using cow, goat, sheep and buffalo milk. Will travels across this vast continent to meet five of the original pioneers

Australian Cheese Pioneers

The United States is a world leader in the production of industrial cheeses. But over the past decade, there has been a significant change in consumer awareness and a growing appreciation for traditional foods with a distinct local identity. Will visits New York’s finest cheese shops before visiting Vermont to meet a new generation of American cheese makers, dedicated to creating an exciting and distinctive range of farmstead cheeses

Vermont Cheese – USA

Known as the King of English Cheeses for more than two centuries, Stilton has never been copied elsewhere. Nor has it ever been made in Stilton, despite its famous name. Will visits historic Quenby Hall, where the cheese was invented, before investigating how it is made and the origins of its outstanding reputation. Then it’s off to the annual British Cheese Awards to see which cheese maker will be crowned the best producer of English blue cheese.

The King of English Cheese - Stilton

Episode 7

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Episode 5

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Episode 8

Will and his daughter Ellie travel to Devon in the West Country of England to visit Quickes farm which once ‘secretly’ supplied Will’s London shops with traditional farmhouse cloth bound cheddar and helped to kindle his interest in supporting the artisan cheese cause. Since then the farm has become the largest producer of this traditional English benchmark under the guidance of Mary Quicke. After a tour of the dairy and a lesson in soufflé-making in Mary’s kitchen, the pair travel to Sharpham Estate to look at an unusual flying saucer shaped cheese, and then head to Lynher Dairy in Cornwall to learn more about a unique cheese wrapped in stinging nettles. Lastly they drop in on Jamie Montgomery to taste his iconic cloth bound cheddar and discover some exciting new cheeses he is working on.

Cheddar Cheese of England

Cheese Slices explores the fascinating story behind some of the world's best loved cheese. This unique series provides an entertaining glimpse of how traditional benchmark cheeses are made and explores the passion and skill of those who make them. Presented by Master of Cheese Will Studd, this series reveals why hand made cheeses have continued to survive and prosper in a world increasingly dominated by predictable industrial brands and provides an entertaining glimpse on why preserving the wonderful diversity of these regional cheeses is so important, as well as looking at the passion and skill of those responsible for creating them.

The Best Seasons of Cheese Slices

The Best Seasons of Cheese Slices

Season 1

Season 2

Season 5

Season 6

Season 8