A close relation of the Veneto or Lombardy ‘Latteria’ cheeses. The name derives from the pressing of the forms (in the Ladin speaking valleys ‘spretz’ can stand for ‘cheese’ alone). In the past, this was an almost fat-free cheese although, today, this is less so. It was awarded denomination of protected origin (DOP) status at the end of 2003 and production began in early March 2004. The most significant characteristics required by the DOP status are that the cows are fed exclusively with hay, the cream should rise naturally in the containers rather than through churning and the use of small, one thousand litre cauldrons similar to those used for Grana.
