Giolito Formaggi
Four-generation family cheese shop in the historic centre of Bra, working as an affineur with its own ageing cells and cellar. It favours raw-milk cheeses and small producers.
About Bettelmatt
A summer cheese of the Ossola alps, made only in July and August in a few high pastures of the communes of Formazza, Baceno and Premia from raw whole milk of Bruna Alpina cows. It is not a DOP; it is on the Italian traditional products list (PAT) and its name is a trademark. Wheels are semi-cooked cylinders about 30 cm across, 6 cm high and 5 kg, with a fire-branded rind. Cibo360 reports about 5,000 wheels a year.
Made in: High pastures of Val Formazza and Valle Antigorio in Val d'Ossola, above 1,800 m
On the plate
Compact paste, straw yellow turning golden with age, with minimal even eyes. The flavour is herbaceous and intense, sweeter and more delicate young, spicier and more aromatic when aged, from aromatic alpine herbs the cows graze.
Rind: natural crust
Wine and cheese
What to pour with Bettelmatt
Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont
Our pickBettelmatt is intense and herbaceous, spicier with age. A Langhe Nebbiolo brings high acidity and medium tannin, enough grip for the alpine herbs without the weight of a Barolo, which would crowd a summer cheese.
The grapes behind these winesNebbiolo
From the source
Where to buy and taste it
Latteria Bera
Turin dairy shop three minutes from Piazza Castello, taken over in 1958 by Romola and her sisters Marta and Bruna and run by her granddaughter Chiara since 2016. It sells Piedmontese specialities and DOP cheeses, and hosts booked tastings in the shop.
Borgiattino Formaggi
Cheese and wine shop under the arcades of Corso Vinzaglio since 1927, known for Piedmontese cheeses such as Castelmagno, Raschera and robiola, alongside Italian and foreign ones.
Cheese experiences nearby
Cheese, Slow Food's cheese festival in Bra
Slow Food's biennial fair of raw-milk cheeses fills the centre of Bra with artisan producers, tastings, workshops and talks. The 2025 edition was the fifteenth.
Cheese Tasting at Giolito
Guided walk through the shop's cold counter, workshop, ageing rooms and the ageing cellar, which holds a small cheese museum, then a tasting in a dedicated room. For larger summer groups a tent can be set up in the courtyard. Contact the shop to reserve.
Castelmagno at the table at La Meiro
The farm's locanda serves Castelmagno in its different types and ageings, and gnocchi al Castelmagno are always on the daily menu, in the valley where the cheese is made. Opening is seasonal.
Cellars and tasting at Guffanti
Cellar visits and a guided tasting route at the Arona ageing house, by reservation. Private tastings in dedicated rooms pair its cheeses with bread and wine; English-language visits are available on booking.
Visit to the Valcasotto ageing cellars
Booked visit to the rock cellars of an alpine hamlet where cheeses rest on twelve kinds of wood, with a company shop on site. Cheeses include Castelmagno di Alpeggio and the Cusiè range.
Tasting in the shop at Latteria Bera
Shop tasting of boards of cheeses and cured meats with handmade bread, grissini rubatà and a glass of wine, with panna and zabaione as an option. Book at least a day ahead.
Bettelmatt: questions
Is Bettelmatt a DOP cheese?
No. It is listed as a traditional Italian agri-food product (PAT), and Cibo360 says its name is a registered trademark.
When is Bettelmatt made?
Only in summer, in July and August, in a few high pastures of the Val d'Ossola, according to Cibo360.
Same cheeseboard
More cheeses from Piedmont
Plan the trip
Visit Bettelmatt country
Tastings and tours where it is made, and somewhere to stay.
Booking links go to our partners (GetYourGuide, Viator, Zen Hotels), who may pay us a commission. It never decides what we cover. Editorial standards.
Sources: www.cibo360.it, it.wikipedia.org. The drawing is made from the cheese's recorded shape, rind and paste, not a photograph.