Updated: 2023/01/22
Manchego cheese made from the milk of the Manchega variety
One of my favorite cheeses is manchego. Manchego is a hard cheese made in the La Mancha region in central Spain, with knotted pattern on the surface. The raw material for Manchego must be the milk of the Manchega sheep. Speaking of cheeses made from sheep’s milk, French Roquefort is also famous, but this one is made from the milk of a sheep called Lacone, which is slightly larger than the Manchega. Also Serena cheese is made from the milk of the Merino sheep, which is famous for wool. It’s interesting that the type of sheep is determined for each cheese.
Manchego cheese flavor
Manchego is characterized by a hint of green grass-like scent, a faint honey-like sweetness, and a rich body. Some people may be concerned about the smell of sheep’s milk, but it’s a cheese with a rich taste that doesn’t have any animal odors at all. It is said that cheese from summer to autumn, made by squeezing the milk of sheep that eat grass that has just sprouted in spring, is said to be delicious.
Marriage of Manchego and Wine
Well, what kind of wine would you like to match with manchega? It is generally said that red wine goes well with hard cheese, so it might be a good idea to pair it with Tempranillo, a typical Spanish grape variety. A medium-bodied Tempranillo with aromas of berries and plums and a high fruitiness. It seems to be the best match for Manchego, which has both umami and sweetness.
