Semi-Soft Cheese
To better serve you, Semi-Soft cheese a la carte, meats, and pairings are (temporarily) not available for preorder.
Please come see us in the shop and we will be thrilled to connect you with the artisan products you crave!
More about our semi-soft cheese selection:
Semi-soft cheese is celebrated for its creamy texture and approachable, mild flavors, making it a favorite choice for cheese lovers of all kinds. Unlike harder cheeses, semi-soft cheese has a high moisture content, lending it a soft, flexible body that’s easy to slice and perfect for melting. This type of cheese offers a balance between the firm bite of aged varieties and the spreadable quality of soft cheeses, making it ideal for both snacking and culinary use.
At Antonelli’s, we offer a diverse range of semi-soft cheese options, each with its unique taste profile and origin story. From classic Havarti to buttery Fontina and the bold, washed-rind Taleggio, our selection highlights the many possibilities within the semi-soft category. Semi-soft cheeses are often crafted with natural or washed rinds, which can add a subtle earthiness or tang to their flavor, enhancing their appeal. They can be served on a cheese board, melted into a sandwich, or added to a variety of recipes, such as creamy pastas or gourmet grilled cheese.
Many semi-soft cheeses, like Gouda and Morbier, have a slightly elastic texture that makes them satisfying to slice or melt. They pair wonderfully with a range of accompaniments, from fruits and nuts to charcuterie and crusty bread. For wine pairings, semi-soft cheese often complements light to medium-bodied red wines or crisp, fruity whites.
Choosing semi-soft cheese means you’re embracing a versatile category of cheese that’s equally at home on a cheese board as it is in the kitchen. These cheeses bring a rich, comforting texture and flavor to any occasion, whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply looking to enhance a home-cooked meal. Discover the world of semi-soft cheese and find your new favorite from our expertly curated selection.
Here are some examples of semi-soft cheeses we often have in the case.
Asiago American - Lira Rossa (Texas)
This Texas-made Asiago from Lira Rossa Dairy offers a local twist on a classic Italian cheese. Creamy and full-bodied with a slightly tangy flavor, it’s perfect for grating over pasta, slicing for sandwiches, or enjoying on a cheese board. Its nutty richness and semi-soft texture make it a versatile addition to any meal.
Black Pepper Cacciotta - Lira Rossa (Texas)
This artisanal cacciotta from Lira Rossa is lightly studded with black pepper, giving it a mild, earthy heat. The semi-soft cheese has a creamy texture and a savory, balanced flavor that pairs well with charcuterie, crackers, and a glass of red wine. Handcrafted in Texas, it’s a delicious, local take on Italian cheese tradition.
Drunken Goat
This Spanish cheese, also known as Murcia al Vino, is made from goat’s milk and soaked in red wine for a striking purple rind and a fruity, tangy flavor. The semi-soft texture is smooth and easy to slice, making Drunken Goat an eye-catching and flavorful addition to cheese boards. It pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit and nuts.
Fontina Val D’Aosta
Fontina Val D’Aosta is a traditional Italian semi-soft cheese with a creamy, earthy taste and subtle nutty undertones. Made from raw cow’s milk in the Aosta Valley, it has a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s perfect for fondue, gratins, or as part of a savory sandwich. Its mild, yet complex flavors pair well with both wine and crusty bread.
Garrotxa
A semi-soft goat cheese from Catalonia, Garrotxa has a firm, yet creamy texture and a mild, nutty flavor with earthy undertones. Its natural rind gives it a rustic appearance, and the cheese has a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, honey, or a crusty baguette. Garrotxa is a great choice for any cheese board.
Menage
Menage is a unique blend of cow, sheep, and goat’s milk, giving it a complex, layered flavor profile. This Wisconsin-made cheese is semi-soft with a creamy texture, mild tanginess, and buttery richness. Its balanced flavors make it ideal for pairing with crackers, nuts, and jams on a cheese board, or melting into gourmet dishes.
Mobay
Mobay is a Wisconsin cheese modeled after France’s Morbier, with layers of sheep and goat’s milk separated by a line of vegetable ash. The contrasting flavors—mildly sweet and tangy—create a unique tasting experience. Mobay’s creamy, semi-soft texture and visually appealing layers make it a standout on any cheese board.
Ossau Iraty
This French sheep’s milk cheese from the Basque region has a semi-soft texture and a smooth, buttery flavor with hints of nuttiness and grassiness. Aged to perfection, Ossau Iraty pairs beautifully with figs, almonds, and honey. It’s a versatile cheese, perfect for both snacking and melting in savory dishes.
Sheep Milk Cheddar by Hook's Cheese
Hook’s Sheep Milk Cheddar is a Wisconsin specialty with a smooth, semi-soft texture and a rich, buttery flavor. The sheep’s milk adds a mild sweetness and subtle tang, making it a unique twist on traditional cheddar. Enjoy it on its own, with fresh fruit, or melted into recipes for a creamy, full-flavored experience.
Sleeping Beauty by Cascadia Creamery
Sleeping Beauty is an organic, raw cow’s milk cheese from Washington’s Cascadia Creamery. Semi-soft with a buttery texture, it has a rich, nutty flavor complemented by mild grassy notes. This cheese is great for melting or enjoying with fresh berries and nuts, capturing the essence of the Pacific Northwest.
Snow White Goat Cheddar
Made by Wisconsin’s Carr Valley, Snow White Goat Cheddar is a semi-soft cheese with a crumbly texture and a creamy, tangy flavor. The goat’s milk adds a unique twist to traditional cheddar, creating a clean, slightly tart taste. It’s delicious with fruits, nuts, or melted into a gourmet grilled cheese.
Sottocenere
An Italian truffle-infused cheese, Sottocenere is semi-soft with a delicate, earthy flavor from the black truffles mixed throughout. The cheese is aged in ash, giving it a smooth, grayish rind and a subtle aroma. Its rich, savory flavor makes it perfect for cheese boards, pasta dishes, or pairing with wine.
Tommboy (Texas)
Tommboy, a Texas-made cheese, is a nod to the traditional Tomme style. Semi-soft with a slightly firm, creamy texture, it has a mild, nutty flavor with earthy undertones. This versatile cheese pairs well with apples, nuts, and a good crusty bread, making it a perfect addition to any cheese board.
Tomme Crayeuse
Tomme Crayeuse is a French cheese with a semi-soft, dense texture and a natural rind. Known for its creamy, buttery flavor and mild earthiness, it has a distinctive chalky layer at its core. Pair Tomme Crayeuse with fresh fruit or a crisp white wine to fully enjoy its smooth, complex flavor.
Come and taste some of these semi-soft cheeses at one of our events here.
Read about more Semi-Soft cheese here.