According to the theory (and it's only a theory, but what a neat one it is..) in Catholic Europe, for several centuries, more than a sixth of all days were fast days, and cheese was an affordable meat substitute.
Over those centuries there was therefore an incentive for those societies to evolve tastier and more interesting cheeses.

In Northern, Protestant Europe fasting was thrown out as a superstition; accordingly: no incentive to evolve the local curdled-milk produce!

Whether the theory ultimately holds water or not, it's surprising how the cheese map of Europe so persuasively promotes it, no?

Yrs in Pecorino Formaggiato,
Pet. Luc.