Good Parmesan cheese in N Cal stores?

Question

Earlier this year I had Parmesan cheese in a restaurant in Parma, Italy that was off-the-charts delicious.

Is it possible to buy cheese in N Cal that is as good or nearly as good as what is available in Emilia-Romagna? 

I haven't had any luck so far with Parmesan products in local supermarkets.

P.S. I live in the Roseville area and regularly visit Sunnyvale. I'd be willing to shop within 20-30 minutes of either.

Answer

You need to stay away from cheeses labeled "Parmesan" and stick to the genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano. I suggest shopping at Corti Brothers in Sacramento.

Corti Bros or TJ's for Parmesan-Reggiano (Sacramento)?
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/651773#5023656

More about Corti Brothers,
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/802130

Answer

Have you tried the Nugget Market in Roseville, they have a pretty good cheese department.

Costco also has imported Parmigiano-Reggiano available from time to time. They will most likely have increased cheese selections as we move into the holidays over the next couple of months.

In Sacramento, there is Corti Brothers market, which specializes in fine Italian food.

Sunnyvale would be covered on the SF Bay Area board.

Answer

I shop regularly at Nugget ( Vacaville; I am not near Corti,) and Nugget is the bomb, but if you don't mind a huge hunk, at least in Vacaville, I think Costco is the way to go for some good cheeses. 

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/744506

I use a vacuum sealer to store after I break it down. Right now I have some gruyere, gouda, smoked gouda comte, goat, and ?parm-reg...had a stamped rind but I ate it.. :D

And when you want to go crazy, check out Oxbow Market in Napa. Next to where Copia was.

Answer

Lived in Italy so I hear you - the real thing on home turf is food for the gods. Be sure to look for the stamped labeling on the rinds to get at least the real thing from the Parma Reggiono locale. 

Plus look also for imported "grana" which is made in the same way but not from the exact designated locale - like wines. Some times it can be just as good, but cheaper.

Agree, the domestic stuff called "parmesan" is pretty dreadful and should not even be allowed to use that label.

Between Parma ham and Parma cheese - Parma city is a culinary mecca. What restaurant did you visit there - have a trip planned for the future. Great little opera house too.

Answer

Costco regularly carries the good stuff and very good prices.

Answer

FYI, DW and I had a chance to visit Lucca (recommended to me on another TA string) Tuesday.

We bought some P-R and some Romano.

Both were excellent and the best cheeses of those types I've had in the US.

Answer

For the benefit of those of you who live in South Placer county, I bought some PR this week at Dominick's Deli in Granite Bay (Auburn-Folsom and Douglas Blvd).

I saw a couple of large chunks (maybe 10 lbs each) in Dominick's refrigerated cheese-meats display. The guy at the counter was willing to slice off any amount of it for me.

I forget the exact price, but it was $15/lb, or very close to it.

I don't like the taste of Dominick's P-R as well as Costco's, although I'm no connoisseur, so maybe I'm evaluating it wrong. I can't articulate why I prefer Costco (sorry). 

If another Chowhounder were to try Dominick's P-R, I'd be very interested in hearing your assessment.

I'm not sure whether Dominick's NY Pizza & Deli in Folsom (Folsom Blvd & Blue Ravine Rd) also carries P-R.

Answer

I've found that with Parm Regg, aside from price, there are two factors to consider:
1. How recently was the wheel cracked open? I happened to be at Whole Foods right when they cracked a new wheel open, and got to try a hunk right out of the middle. Best I've ever had. That intense, super-fresh taste disappears after a week or so, in my experience.
2. Not all Parm Regg is equal. They all meet minimum specifications to carry the stamp, but they do vary somewhat from producer to producer. Some are better than others.

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