Israel Romero / Tuesday, November 8, 2022 / Categories: Spanish Brands When Manchego Is the Gourmet Jewel of the Table Manchego Cheese There are cheeses in Spain to spare. In the good sense of the word, of course. Plenty of variety (many types, so our international readers understand). But there is one that stands out above all in terms of global popularity, and that is Manchego. Quesería 1605 is our choice at Made in Spain Gourmet. It couldn't be any other way. Manchego cheese: its characteristics Characteristics of Manchego Cheese A commitment to Manchegan tradition and a tribute to Don Quixote A privileged setting Sheep raised in a unique natural environment A great team working both artisanally and with modern methods Manchego cheese: its characteristics One of Spain's most famous products is Manchego Cheese, which is made from the milk of Manchega breed sheep and protected by a designation of origin in La Mancha, which comprises the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Toledo. Its gastronomic value is matched by its great cultural value since its production goes back to primitive tribes, and as proof there are historical documents and mentions in books like Don Quixote. In fact, Manchego Cheese has become part of the world's cultural heritage and a witness to the customs of the people from which it takes its name. Characteristics of Manchego Cheese The Manchego cheese is undeniably the best-known Spanish cheese outside Spain. Its flavor, texture and unique aroma are all thanks to its maturation process. To establish the quality of Manchego cheese it is necessary to know its main characteristics. Its shape is cylindrical with flat faces. It has an approximate height of 12 cm, a diameter of 22 cm and a weight of up to about 4 kg. Its rind is hard and a light yellow color or can range from greenish to black. The paste of the cheese should be a color that can vary from white to ivory. When cut, small “holes” or “eyes” should be visible, distributed irregularly across the surface. – It should have a buttery and grainy texture lacking elasticity. When tasting an excellent Manchego Cheese we may not imagine everything behind it, yet there is no doubt we can enjoy this product paired with the finest wines from across Spain. A commitment to Manchegan tradition and a tribute to Don Quixote As could not be otherwise, Quesería 1605 takes its name from the year of publication of the first edition of Don Quixote and thus pays tribute to Spain’s most universal book. They decided to promote and preserve the tradition of Manchego cheese, considered one of the best in the world. Everything at Quesería 1605 is artisanal; for example, the filling of the curd into the molds is done manually, one by one. However, they also have the technology and equipment that guarantee the sanitary aspects of the entire process, certified by the European Union. To make 1 kilogram of cured cheese between 5.5 and 6 liters of the best milk are required. The rennet used in its production is of the highest quality: extract of rennet from suckling lamb. A privileged setting Quesería 1605 is located between the towns of Herencia, in the northwest of the province of Ciudad Real, 150 km from Madrid and 5 km from the border with the province of Toledo and Villarta. Finca Sierra La Solana is surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape. Covering 350 hectares, it is surrounded by vineyards, almond trees and a dense scrubland of Mediterranean vegetation where species such as wild boar, badger, Spanish imperial eagle, eagle-owl, vultures, rabbit, partridge, turtle dove, wood pigeon, etc., roam freely. The special location of the estate, on the south-facing slope, sheltered by the Sierra de la Solana, helps create one of Herencia’s most special microclimates, which gives its pastures very distinctive characteristics compared to other locations in the region. The Finca Sierra la Solana has a restored Cortijo transformed into a Rural Tourism Establishment that preserves the values of rustic architecture while offering the comforts of high-quality accommodation. Sheep raised in a unique natural environment The milk used comes exclusively from their sheep, raised in a privileged natural setting with an extreme continental climate that favors the growth of vegetation that feeds the flock. For this reason, the cheese produced here has very singular characteristics. They only produce the natural amount of milk, never forcing production. The breeding of Manchega sheep is strictly regulated by the producers' association, which evaluates each animal. They keep records of the previous three generations of every animal. [caption id="attachment_22595" align="aligncenter" width="800"] When Manchego is the gourmet jewel of the table[/caption] A great team working both artisanally and with modern methods The expert affineurs of Quesería 1605 are the ones who select the best cheeses almost individually for each wheel so that simply the best cheese is achieved. No chemical treatments are applied to the rind such as paint or antifungals; natural turning is used to guarantee the establishment of a regular, unique maturation flora on the rind, which later contributes to the development of specific aromas and flavors in the cheese. Quesería 1605 is the only cheesery in Castilla‑La Mancha that has the figure of the ‘Afinador’ (cheese ripener). Their work consists of evaluating the potential of each batch to ensure it reaches the market expressing its fullest range of flavors and aromas along with a texture appropriate to each type of aging. The artisanal character of Quesería 1605 is also reflected in the packaging of its products, wrapped by hand one by one to achieve an image of exclusivity and craftsmanship. At Made in Spain Gourmet you will find the two ranges, Herencia and Selección aged 4, 7 and 10 months, and La Solana, the truffled Manchego with Tuber melanosporum. Each age has its characteristics: milder the fewer months and more robust the longer it is aged. High-expression cheeses with a broad range of aromas and flavors, together with their singular and unmistakable texture. They are 100% Manchego cheeses, made artisanally and exclusively with raw milk from pure Manchega-breed sheep, raised under exquisite conditions of hygiene, welfare and nutrition. We are very proud to represent these excellent Manchego cheeses that began their internationalization some time ago. They knew that by offering only the best they would succeed in international markets thanks to their outstanding quality. 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