Murcian wine cheese

Murcian wine cheese is a type of cheese originating from the Murcia region in Spain. It is a unique cheese variety that is washed in red wine during the maturation process, giving it a distinctive flavor and color.

History

The tradition of making Murcian wine cheese dates back to the Middle Ages, when cheese was a staple food in the diet of the people of Murcia. The practice of washing the cheese in red wine was introduced as a way to preserve the cheese and enhance its flavor.

Production

Murcian wine cheese is made from the milk of the Murcian goat, a breed of goat native to the region. The milk is curdled using animal rennet, and the curds are then pressed into molds. The cheese is aged for a minimum of 45 days, during which time it is regularly washed in red wine. This gives the cheese its characteristic purple rind and imparts a subtle wine flavor.

Characteristics

Murcian wine cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a creamy texture. It has a strong, tangy flavor with notes of red wine. The cheese is typically served as a table cheese, and pairs well with a variety of wines, particularly those from the Murcia region.

Recognition

In 1986, Murcian wine cheese was granted Denomination of Origin status by the Spanish government, recognizing its unique characteristics and traditional production methods. This means that only cheese produced in the Murcia region using traditional methods can be called Murcian wine cheese.

See also

• List of Spanish cheeses
• List of goat milk cheeses