La Tur: Italy's Soft Ripened Cheese from Alta Langa
10 things to know about this cheese
While it may smell very pungent from far away, La Tur cheese spreads like freshly churned butter and tastes just as smooth and creamy with a subtle tang.
10 Things to Know About La Tur
La Tur is a soft, mixed milk cheese from Piemonte.
It is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, which gives it a layered flavor profile.
The texture is creamy at the center with a liquidy cream line just under the rind.
Flavors include fresh cream, cultured butter, mild goat tang, and gentle sweetness from the sheep’s milk.
The rind is thin, edible, and slightly wrinkled with a soft, bloomy character.
La Tur is produced in small rounds that are typically about 4 ounces.
Serve it just above refrigerator temperature so the center becomes soft and spreadable.
It pairs beautifully with sparkling wines like Alta Langa because acidity cuts through the richness, while its subtle pastry notes complement the cheese’s soft, lactic sweetness.
It also works well with honey, fresh fruit (specifically mango), and lightly toasted bread or crackers.
It loves acidity and fruit and complements a cheese board where the goal is balance and contrast, not power.
Pairing Suggestions
Wine
Sparkling wines such as Alta Langa or Champagne
Light aromatic whites like Arneis, Vermentino, or Gewürztraminer
Fresh, low tannin reds such as Gamay or Frappato
Dry apple cider for a crisp, orchard-fruit match
Fruit and Condiments
Mango or dried mango
Fresh figs or fig jam
Ripe pears, apples, apricots or peaches
Honey
Toasted hazelnuts
Bread and Crackers
Grissini - the regional breadsticks served at the table in Piedmont, Italy
Savory Pairings
Prosciutto or other cured meats
Roasted tomatoes, tomato confit, or sun dried tomatoes
Marinated artichokes or olives
Light salads with citrus vinaigrette
Cost
Retail for $16 for a 4 oz round. This will serve 4 people with each person getting a smear on about 2 crackers.
It comes packaged in a little cardboard box wrapped in plastic. It does continue to age and ripen as it sits, so plan to consume by the expiration date.