Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium celebrates cheese excellence

Parmigiano Reggiano was celebrated in the heart of Madrid as the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium hosted the Casello d’Oro Awards in the Spanish capital. The awards recognise the winning dairies of the Palii del Parmigiano Reggiano competitions that have been held annually across the Parmigiano Reggiano PDO production area of Italy for the last decade.

It was the third annual edition of the Casello d’Oro Awards and during the evening, an international jury awarded the 13 winning dairies of the 2025 Palii del Parmigiano Reggiano. This included two special mentions for best structure and best aromatic profile, which both went to Caseificio Sociale di Monzato of Traversetolo (province of Parma).

The 2026 Casello d’Oro Awards took centre stage at the Real Casino de Madrid. In the presence of members of the Italian and international press, the evening, hosted by Ilaria Mulinacci, celebrated the excellence of Parmigiano Reggiano and highlighted Spain as a key international market for the PDO cheese. Spain currently imports over 1,800 tons per year, showing a growth of +2.5% compared to the previous year (surpassing the average foreign growth rate of +2.3%), making it a suitable location for this year’s awards.

For more than a decade, the ‘Palio del Parmigiano Reggiano’ competitions have been held in the cheese’s PDO heartland, including Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua right of the River Po and Bologna left of the River Reno. Each participating dairy submits a 24-26 month-old sample of cheese, which is then evaluated by a jury of professional tasters. During the 2026 Casello d’Oro Awards, the 13 cheese makers who won the 2025 Parmigiano Reggiano Palios were honoured. In addition, an exceptional international jury of leading figures in the global food industry, including magazine editors, Michelin-starred chefs, renowned experts and judges from the world’s most important cheese competitions, awarded two special mentions for best structure and best aromatic profile in a blind tasting.

The 13 winning dairies are:

· Latteria Sociale La Mezzanese (Sorbolo Mezzani, PR) – Winner of the Palio dell’Artigianato di Soragna (Soragna, PR)

· Colline di Canossa Cigarello (Carpineti, RE) – Winner of the Palio Bibbiano la Culla (Ghiardo di Bibbiano, RE)

· Rastelli Fratelli (Rubbiano, fraction of Solignano, PR) – Winner of the Palio di Pellegrino Parmense (Pellegrino Parmense, PR)

· 4 Madonne Caseificio dell’Emilia (Valsamoggia plant, BO) – Winner of the Palio Città di Casina (Casina, RE)

· Caseificio Bucamante (Serramazzoni, MO) – Winner of the Palio del Frignano (Pavullo nel Frignano, MO) and the Palio Città di Casina (Casina, RE) with 40-month maturation

· Caseificio Croce (Pegognaga, MN) – Winner of the Palio dei Caseifici dell’Oltrepò Mantovano (Gonzaga, MN)

· Caseificio Sociale di Monzato (Traversetolo, PR) – Winner of the Palio di Montechiarugolo (Montechiarugolo, PR)

· Caseificio Sociale Castellazzo (Campagnola Emilia, RE) – Winner of the Palio di San Lucio (Guastalla, RE)

· Caseificio Sociale Fior di Latte (Gaggio Montano, BO) – Winner of the Palio di San Petronio (Bologna)

· 4 Madonne Caseificio dell’Emilia (Lesignana plant, MO) – Winner of the Palio GustiaMo (Modena)

· Oratorio San Giorgio (Carpi, MO) – Winner of the Palio GustiaMo (Modena) with 40-month maturation

· Casearia Castelli Srl (Reggio Emilia) – Winner of the Palio Teatro della Natura (Viano, RE)

The international jury composed of Maddalena Fossati Dondero, Manuel “Manu” Franco, Miyuki Murase, Cathy Strange, Eva Vila and Carlos Yescas who conducted the blind tasting and ensured the awards reflected the highest standards of craftsmanship and flavour. Two-Michelin-star chef Paco Roncero also attended the evening as a special guest, joining the celebration of Parmigiano Reggiano and highlighting its culinary excellence.

Guests were treated to bespoke tasting experiences and innovative pairings, offering an exploration of Parmigiano Reggiano’s versatility and culinary potential.

“We are truly proud that the Consorzio del Parmigiano Reggiano chose Spain to host the Casello d’Oro Awards,” stated Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, Italian ambassador to Spain. “This extraordinary cultural heritage, a symbol of excellence, finds great sensitivity in Spain, fuelled by the deep affinity between our culinary cultures. We share a commitment to quality raw materials, strict production standards and transparency for consumers, values that continue to strengthen the bond between our two countries.”

The Casello d’Oro Awards continue to be a landmark celebration for the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, providing an international stage to honour its producers and to share the rich heritage, culture and exceptional quality of one of Italy’s most iconic PDO products with the world.