While both Pecorino Sardo P.D.O. Dolce and Maturo can be considered table cheeses, the Maturo variety is also excellent when in grated form and is widely used to enrich pasta and rice dishes. Included often in the preparation of many traditional recipes, both Sardinian and Italian, Pecorino Sardo is an important ingredient that characterizes and personalizes the dish it accompanies in a special way. The Dolce variety pairs well with a dry white wine, smooth and full-bodied like Vermentino, while the Maturo, with its intense and sharp taste, pairs well with a red wine, smooth and medium-bodied like Cannonau or Brunello di Montalcino.
Pecorino Romano P.D.O. can be served by itself or paired with vegetables, legumes, and salads, or honey and fruit preserves when younger in age. In the case of a maturation of over eight months, it is used instead as a grating cheese, and is an excellent condiment for pesto, or to add flavor to traditional Italian dishes such as pasta, rice and pizza. Red wines recommended for pairing with younger cheese are Cannonau di Sardegna or Velletri Rosso, while more ripened cheese pairs well with Brunello di Montalcino and Carignano del Sulcis.
Fiore Sardo P.D.O. is an excellent table cheese, if consumed when fresh, and can be served sliced or diced as an appetizer or aperitif. It is traditionally paired with ash-roasted potatoes or with a slice of bread, but is also used to make traditional desserts. On the other hand, mature cheese is more suitable for grating. It is used for pasta or polenta dishes, as well as for traditional Sardinian dishes. The recommended wines that pair well with Fiore Sardo P.D.O. are local red wines, like Cannonau for the fresher cheese and Malvasia di Bosa D.O.C with the more mature cheese, as this type pairs better with a more intense white wine.
Custom:
Fresh cheese is often used for the preparation of ravioli and seadas – a typical Sardinian cake; while mature cheese is considered a specialty among those many enthusiasts who prefer to enjoy it naturally with carasau bread and a nice glass of wine. Again, it is also excellent grated on pasta with tomato sauce.