As the name suggests, hard/grating cheeses are most often used as flavor and texture accents in a variety of dishes from around the world, but they are just as delicious when offered on a cheese board. Hard and granular, cheeses in this category originated more than 500 years ago in Italy, where they are still held in the highest esteem for their intense, often nutty flavor.

Hard/grating cheese varieties include:

• Parmigiano/Parmesan
• Romano
• Asiago

Cheeses in this category offer an intense burst of flavor when grated or shredded over salads and pasta. Try adding Parmigiano Reggiano rind to a pot of soup for amazing richness and deep flavor.

Wine Pairing: Chardonnay, Riesling, Dolcetto, Barbera, Pinot Blanc, Chianti Riserva, Burgundy, Zinfandel