Manchego

Its most northern part can be found 30 miles north of Madrid. It extends to 35,000 square kilometres (13,513 sq. mi.) with maximum distances of 300 kilometres from east to west and 200 kilometres from north to south (186 and 124 miles, respectively). The climate can be extreme with large temperature variations, little if any rain and changeable winds.

The Manchego sheep make use of the leftovers of the grain and pulse harvest. In this natural region there is a big variety of perennial plants which are fundamental in the Manchego sheep's feeding. Also, there are other aromatic species typical of the area that have a major influence on the milk composition. For making Manchego Cheese, the regulations for the Denomination of Origin accept only milk obtained from Manchego sheep.

Today much of the area is irrigated and planted with vines, but the sheep still graze there. Manchego has been made since Roman times. It's a firm cheese with a rich, delicate flavour, slightly dry texture and the flavour of Brazil nuts. As it matures, the flavour of sheep is more prominent.

Manchego is available in three ages identified by the colour of its exterior wax: white for three months, light brown for six months and dark brown for 12 months. It has a distinctive flavour and once tasted can quickly become a favourite. Often, it's served with quince marmalade as a tapas and while we recommend it with aged Bordeaux it works well with Spain's refreshing Rueda and rosés too.

INGREDIENTS: Sheep's milk

TEXTURE: Firm

PRICE: (Young) $3.50/100 gr, (Medium) $3.75/100 gr (Aged) $4.25/100 gr

WEIGHT: Three Kilos

PAIRING WITH WINE: Manchego is perfectly matched to the well aged Bordeaux

Gismondi.com suggestions 

87/100 Marqués de Riscal Rueda Blanco 2001
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, Spain
Rioja-based Marqués de Riscal turned to the Rueda in Spain's Castilla-Leon region in search of better white wine in the mid-90s and has been rewarded by wines like Rueda Blanco 2001. The inexpensive label shows generous, floral notes, gooseberry and yellow star fruit, green tea and just a hint of spice and peppery in the finish. Fine length and power for the money. Drink now and through the summer with local seafood.
Blend: Verdejo - Viura
Tasted: 2002-09-01 by AG
Prices: BC $12.99 Specialty; ON $7.90
CSPC: 237529;   UPC: 8410866430019
Producer: Vinos Herederos del Marqués de Riscal S.A.
Distributor: Reichel-Waldorf Wine Imports Inc.

85/100 Christian Moueix Merlot 2000
Bordeaux, France
Created for the US market. Made from a selection of vines grown in the Cotes de Castillon and Lalande de Pomerol and now parts of Cotes de Bourg and Cotes de Francs. Waxy, plum, citrus rind and earthy leafy aromas. Soft and round but dry with peppery, cedar bark, olive and earth flavours. Lacks the fruit you expect from such a fine harvest as 2000. The aim is to make this drinkable from the start but it should hold together for a couple of years especially in great vintages.
Tasted: 2003-01-22 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $18.95 Specialty
CSPC: 369405
Producer: Establissements Jean-Pierre Moueix
Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

87/100 Chateau de Carles 1998
Fronsac, Libourne, Bordeaux, France
Look for typical rustic Fronsac character with a spicy, waxy, toasted plum aromas and olive notes. Dry, somewhat lean and tight with peppery, spicy, earthy, waxy, plum flavours. Simple and rustic, needs a few years to soften but pretty dry style. The blend is 70/25/5 cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc/pressac.
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Tasted: 2003-01-22 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $27.95 Specialty
CSPC: 369330;   UPC: 3328150004608
Producer: Establissements Jean-Pierre Moueix
Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

88/100 Chateau Canon Moueix 1998
Canon-Fronsac, Libourne, Bordeaux, France
A blend of 70/30 merlot /cabernet franc grown on a tiny south facing slope. Look for cherry, spicy, leafy notes mixed with peppery, plum jam aromas and barnyard and orange rind notes. This finish mixes tight cedar bark tannins with earthy, spicy flavours. Elegant and round but a bit short on fruit and concentration.
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Tasted: 2003-01-22 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $36.95 Specialty
CSPC: 499004;   UPC: 3328150010289
Producer: Establissements Jean-Pierre Moueix
Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

89/100 Chateau La Fleur-Pétrus 1999
Pomerol, Libourne, Bordeaux, France
La Fleur-Pétrus is an 85/15 merlot/cabernet franc that stands in the shadows of La Fleur and Petrus. Full flavoured chocolate blueberries good power and alcohol here and quite a bit of depth of flavour and character. Delicate round and soft style with spicy, coffee, vanilla, toasty cherry flavours and a minty, leafy, olive finish. Light tannins and ready to drink.
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Tasted: 2003-01-22 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $27.95 Specialty
CSPC: 720797;   UPC: 3328150011170
Producer: Establissements Jean-Pierre Moueix
Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

87/100 Chateau Peymouton 1999
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, France
The blend is 70/30 merlot cabernet. Look for a warm quiet, cherry kirsch nose with streaks of plum. Soft round and ready to drink with typical St Émilion licorice earthy leaf flavours and cherry fruit in the finish. Well balanced for mediocre vintage and well worth drinking. Perfect for restaurants.
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasted: 2003-01-21 by AG
Prices: BC $24.95
CSPC: 627877;   UPC: 3452130032364
Producer: Crus & Domaines de France
Distributor: Pernod Ricard Canada

85/100 Chateau du Taillan 1999
Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
This is a 55/35/10 blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Spicy barnyard and olive brine in the nose. Light soft textures on entry but the finish is lean and dry and tastes of mainly earth and compost. Typical of the vintage. Needs drinking.
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc
Tasted: 2003-01-21 by AG
Prices: BC $23.50 Specialty
CSPC: 143404;   UPC: 3452130021481
Producer: Crus & Domaines de France
Distributor: Pernod Ricard Canada

All cheese information courtesy of Alice & Allison Spurrell, the mother and daughter owners of les amis du FROMAGE. The store regularly stocks more than 300 types of cheese for sale to both trade and consumers alike. Les Amis du FROMAGE is a recipient of a Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Award as Top Food Supplier to Vancouver Restaurants.