semi-hard · cow milk · Italy · $$$

Fontina

Melts beautifully, with a rich, creamy texture.

Attribute scores

meltability 9/10

sharpness 5/10

creaminess 7/10

firmness 5/10

pungency 5/10

Best cheese wine pairing

Pair Fontina with a medium-bodied red like Merlot, or an unoaked Chardonnay — a milder semi-hard cheese (sharpness 5) is best met halfway, not overpowered.

Great for

Pizza →Mac and Cheese →Fondue →Quesadillas →Nachos →

Substitutes for Fontina

Raclette du Valais similar overall, but less creaminess Appenzeller cheese similar overall, but more sharpness Tilsit cheese similar overall, but less meltability Gouda similar overall, but less pungency Emmental similar overall, but less pungency Morbier similar overall, but less meltability