AFIDOP brings Italian cheeses with protected status to Paris

Alongside SIAL 2026, the association showcased 22 PDO and PGI cheeses in Montmartre, pairing French culinary ideas with wines from Lombardy.

On 19 October 2026, Italian cheeses with protected geographical status took centre stage at Cœur Sacré in Montmartre. Held alongside the SIAL international food exhibition, the reception organised by AFIDOP, the association representing Italian PDO and PGI cheeses, brought together 113 guests, according to the organisers. Trade professionals, journalists and food enthusiasts were invited to discover 22 cheeses through a programme combining tastings, culinary creations and an introduction to their regions of origin.

Founded in April 1994, AFIDOP represents the main protection consortia for Italian cheeses bearing a Protected Designation of Origin or Protected Geographical Indication. Its work encompasses both major producers and lesser-known appellations. This diversity provided the underlying theme of the Paris gathering: behind the familiar names of Italian gastronomy lie regional identities and skills that the association has been working to promote for more than thirty years. The event offered an opportunity to bring that broader heritage to a French audience. The programme approached the cheeses in several complementary ways. Guests could first taste them on their own before exploring original dishes by chef Carla Ferrari. A section called ‘Unexpected Matches’ featured eleven pairings with versions of classic French recipes created for the occasion. Elsewhere, ‘The Mix & Match Bar’ allowed guests to devise their own combinations of Italian cheeses and ingredients from French cuisine. Together, these formats encouraged participants to consider how the cheeses might be used beyond their more familiar culinary settings.

Wine also played a part in the evening. AFIDOP partnered with ASCOVILO, the association of wine protection consortia in Lombardy, to offer a selection of wines from the region. This extended the cheese tasting into an exploration of food and wine pairings, while bringing Lombardy’s wine-growing areas into the conversation. The event took place against the backdrop of an established trading relationship. According to figures supplied by AFIDOP, more than 40,000 tonnes of Italian PDO cheeses were exported to France in 2025, representing around one third of the total volume of Italian cheese destined for the French market. Grana Padano, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gorgonzola and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana are among the appellations driving those sales.

The association also reports that combined volumes of Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano on the French market rose by 2.3% in the first half of 2026, with value increasing by 9.9%. Alongside these established names, AFIDOP aims to introduce less familiar cheeses to French trade professionals and consumers. The Paris reception therefore provided a showcase for a wider range of Italian appellations, addressing an audience already acquainted with the country’s most widely distributed cheeses.