Division 5.1 Specificity of the geographical area

The natural factors are linked to the climatic conditions in the production area, comprising mainly mountains and foothill areas where mountain and meadow grazing are still practised, which influences the quality of the fodder intended to feed the dairy cows.

‘Montasio’ was added to the market price list of San Daniele and Udine in 1773/1775. This attests to the marketing of ‘Montasio’ and shows that it was not only a local product or intended for domestic consumption. The close link between ‘Montasio’ and the production area is also attested by the strong impetus which the production of this cheese gave to the development of cooperatives. ‘Montasio’ and its specific production method quickly spread in Friuli and western Venice, because of both human and structural factors (such as the invention of cooperative cheese dairies or the establishment of a school for cheesemakers) — to the point where there were more than 650 cheese dairies active in the 1960s — and because of the environment itself within which that method first developed.

As regards the characteristics of the production area, the eastern part of Italy has always been and is still marked by considerable spring and autumn precipitation, which favours pasture and cereal-growing (wheat and barley), which is the basis of dairy cow feed. Maize-growing and therefore the use of maize as fresh feed and for ensilage also gained in importance over time. More recently, the cultivation of soya, a protein supplement, has expanded in the production area.