Nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs is famed for its healing hot springs and rugged natural beauty. What’s less known—but equally thrilling—is the vibrant cheese culture thriving here, bridging old-world excellence with new-world terroir. At the heart of this connection is Parmigiano Reggiano, the Italian cheese universally crowned the "King of Cheeses," and Murray's Cheese, the renowned purveyor curating this regal product along with a world-class selection of artisanal cheeses for our mountain community.

What Makes Parmigiano Reggiano the King?

Parmigiano Reggiano is far more than just a cheese; it’s a time-honored tradition marked by stringent production standards within designated regions of Italy. Known for its granular texture, complex savory notes, and rich umami flavor, it is crafted exclusively from raw cow’s milk, natural whey starter, and animal-derived rennet. Its signature nutty sweetness develops through a minimum aging period of 12 months—often much longer—which cultivates its crumbly yet creamy character.

The specifics of its production—milk sourced only from specific provinces, cows fed on local forage, manual turning during aging, and no additives—speak directly to the concept of terroir: the idea that a food’s flavor is an edible expression of its place of origin. This artisanal dedication contributes to Parmigiano Reggiano’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring that only cheese meeting these exacting standards can bear its name.

Murray's Cheese: Your Gateway to Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano

For cheese lovers in Pagosa Springs, Murray's Cheese inside City Market is a beacon of trust and expertise. As curators of fine cheeses, Murray's staff are passionate advocates of aging, pairing, and history, guiding shoppers to appreciate Parmigiano Reggiano beyond its reputation as a beloved grating cheese.

Murray’s commitment means every wedge is carefully selected to represent the true expression of the cheese, sourced directly from established dairies in Italy’s Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and Bologna provinces. This careful curatorship allows you to experience Parmigiano Reggiano that is fresh, flavorful, and true to its roots—whether you savor it shredded over pasta, shaved atop a salad, or nibbled alongside a glass of Italian red wine.

Pro Pairing Tip: Try Parmigiano Reggiano with fresh honey or figs to enhance its natural sweetness, or pair it with robust, nutty walnuts for a taste that echoes its complex profile.

From Italy’s Pastures to Pagosa’s Tables: A Tale of Terroir

While Parmigiano Reggiano epitomizes traditional Italian cheese craftsmanship, Pagosa Springs itself offers a unique terroir of its own, characterized by volcanic soils, high elevation, and native wildflowers that influence local dairies’ milk flavor. Local producers such as James Ranch near Durango exemplify a 100% grass-fed philosophy, highlighting the region's pristine environment through their award-winning cheeses.

Though distinct from Parmigiano Reggiano, these local cheeses share a kinship in their dedication to terroir and craftsmanship, underscoring the growing cheese literacy in Pagosa. Murray’s Cheese bridges these worlds, offering international treasures like Parmigiano Reggiano while also celebrating regional artisanal varieties, making the Cheese Mongers at City Market a true hub of cheese education and enjoyment.

Enjoying Parmigiano Reggiano in Pagosa Springs

Visiting Murray's Cheese in City Market transforms buying Parmigiano Reggiano from a simple grocery stop into an immersive tasting journey. Staff can recommend cheeses that match your meal plans or surprise you with pairing suggestions and detailed stories about the cheese’s history and the dairies behind it.

If you’re hosting a gathering or seeking a sophisticated snack, consider assembling a cheese board featuring Parmigiano Reggiano paired with local accompaniments like Colorado honey, artisan crackers, and cured meats sourced from nearby farms. This melding of the old-world and new-world highlights the soulfulness of Pagosa’s food culture.

Bringing it All Together

Parmigiano Reggiano represents centuries of heritage, honored craftsmanship, and the power of place. For the curious and passionate cheese lover in Pagosa Springs, Murray's Cheese brings this tradition into the local fold, connecting the world’s finest cheeses with those who appreciate their stories, taste, and culture.

So next time you wander through City Market, pause by Murray’s Cheese and let the expert curators guide you to that perfect wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s not just cheese; it’s a regal expression of craftsmanship and terroir waiting to be discovered here in the Colorado high country.

Ingredients: Parmigiano Reggiano is made from raw cow’s milk, animal rennet, and salt, with no additives. It is naturally lactose-free due to long aging. Allergens include milk. This cheese carries the distinct mineral and botanical imprint of its Italian origin.

Terroir Tales: The DOP regulations restrict production to specific Italian provinces, ensuring the milk’s flavor reflects seasonal grasses and the mineral-rich volcanic soils of the Apennine foothills, much like Pagosa’s volcanic terroir influences its local cheeses.【5:0†Pagosa Cheese Research.txt】