When choosing a direction for gastro-tourism, follow the rule "eat here and now". After all, the freshest is the most delicious. Mark on the map the first points of the route for beginners (and not only) gourmets: the most delicious farms, plantations, vineyards, and industries in Europe. Don't forget that Belarus also has something to try.
Cheese farms
Cheese places where you can get acquainted with the manufacturing process and dive into the pleasures of tasting are scattered all over the world. But in the Old World, there are especially many of them, and they are all good at their own pace. Each farm keeps its own recipe, traditions of manufacture and variety. Some take goat milk as a basis, the other - cow, sheep or buffalo, and others delight vegetarians with organic cheese without rennet. And most importantly, many of these places give you a chance to become an insider in the fine art of cheese production on the farm.
Italy
Going on a cheese pilgrimage to Italy, it would be good to first decide on a specific type of product: after all, the roads to the Parmigiano and mozzarella lie in different directions. If doubts have not been resolved, the proven option will be the farm Pianporcino (loc. Pianporcino, 109 - 53026 Pienza), where the pecorino is created. It is located in Tuscany and can be used for excursions, tastings and cheese shopping in a local shop.
The Pianporcino farm prepares several types of sheep's milk cheese from Sardinia. You can try Fresco, Semi-Stagionato or Stagionato pecorinos with different ages, from one month to six months. And in addition to the different species, you get red peppers, truffles, olive oil, and herbs.
In Podere il Casale (via Podere Il Casale 64 53026 Pienza), another farm in Pienza, also in Pienza, produces and sells sheep and goat cheese, and also offers local pasta, pesto, honey, olive oil, and wine. Here you can not only go on a tour or to a restaurant but even stay with a tent on the part of the farm that is reserved for camping.
Slovakia
The Balkans and neighboring countries are dotted with cheese farms. In Slovakia, for example, Farma Východná (Východná 465) is located in the bosom of nature, where you should go for a gastronomic experience. The farm is now owned by a British family. At the end of the tour (which costs €6 for adults or €5 for children over 3 years of age), you can buy not only cow and sheep cheese, but also herbal tea or even cosmetics made from natural ingredients on the farm.
Lithuania
Agritourist locations in Lithuania are marked on a special map. For cheese searches, pay attention to the farm Sūrio kelias. Rokiškio cheese tastings (Pramonės str. 3, 42150 Rokiškis), including wine tastings, are also held in the Rokiškis Museum of Local Lore for companies of 10 to 50 people.
Russia
Cheese farms are flourishing in Russia. And many of them are engaged, as in Italy, in their own variety. Among them, there is an Italian Russian cheese factory: La Fattoria Little (Tver region, Kalininsky district, Mednoe village, 16 Krucha street) near Tver, in the village of Mednoe. It belongs to the family of Italian Pietro Mazza because everything on the farm is the authentic Mediterranean. Add to this the Russian spirit: on the way out you get first-class tastings and masterclasses, as well as a small inn with a restaurant and stables.
Family farm "Khristina" in Teriaevo specializes not only in cheese but also in dairy products in general: the owners produce and sell homemade cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and milk. They also conduct excursions around the farm and the "shop".
Jay's Organic Cheese Farm is a case of American chef and restaurateur Jay Close. The visit must be coordinated beforehand, but the result will be unparalleled. Here you will find a riot of the author's ideas: cheeses with truffles, herbs, nuts, mushrooms, mustard, asparagus, cumin, ginger, wine or beer. Vegetarian options are available! The cheese factory produces vegetarian cheese without rennet.
The "Koza Nostra" cheese dairy (Golovkovo Maryino, p. 1, Taldomsky district, Moscow region) milks thoroughbred goats for you. In addition to traditional cheeses, there is an experimental recipe: for example, with an admixture of sheep's milk or olive oil. They also make and sell cosmetics here. You can visit the dairy on weekdays (second half) or weekends. At the same time, you can stroke a goat.
to be continued in the next part...