Fontinella is the name given to a number of fontina-style cheeses made outside Italy’s Aosta Valley, so the style varies by producer.

• Style: semi-hard
• Related to: Fontina, the original from the Aosta Valley in Italy
• Also sold as: Fontal or Fontella, depending on the producer

About the name

Real Fontina is a protected cheese (PDO) made from raw cow’s milk in Italy’s Aosta Valley. Imitations are made in many other places, including the US, and they tend to be milder and softer. “Fontinella” is one of the names these imitations go by, so what you find in the store depends on the maker.

Wrapping up

A handy semi-hard cheese to have around for pasta and pizza.