Manchego is a sheep's milk cheese made from the La Mancha region of Spain which is also home to Don Quixote. It is made exclusively from the milk of the Manchega sheep and its production is protected by the Denominación de Origen. This restricts the production of this cheese so that the milk used to make the cheese comes only from the Manchega sheep, as well as being aged for a minimum of two months. The cheese is pressed together with wooden boards which leave a distinctive floral style pattern on the top and bottom of the cylindrical cheese. The sides of the cheese are recognizable by the cross hatch pattern which comes from the molds, that are made from mat weed or esparato. Today some industrially manufactured cheese have this pattern engraved on their molds. Manchego is sold in different stages of maturity ranging from two months to one year. The young cheese is milder and softer, firming to a texture similar to Parmesan and with the nutty peppery flavours increasing in intensity with age. Manchego is perhaps the greatest of all Spanish cheeses and is perfect served with some cured ham, olives and a glass of Manzanilla sherry. It is also often served with quince paste which is an excellent match.
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