A PORTUGUESE cheese has been praised by the American magazine Wine Spectator as one of the best in the world from a list of 100 cheeses from 11 countries.
Classified as a product with protected origin, Designação de Origem Protegida (DOP), Nisa cheese is original from Monforte, a council located in the heart of Alentejo.
According to the producer, Monforqueijo, the magazine’s accolade was based on the “cheese’s diversity”, “affinity of this specific product with the wine” and its “peculiar tasting”.
Wine Spectator editors Sam Gugino and Owen Dugan said that “Portuguese cheeses are generally rustic flavoured but some of them are becoming more gourmet” and recommend Portuguese producers to invest more in the sheep cheese production.
The editors also recommend a strong flavoured wine, like a Late Bottle Vintage Port or Periquita, to accompany the Nisa cheese.
The Nisa cheese is produced with unpasteurised sheep milk, rennet, thistle and salt.
It can be bought in many supermarkets in Portugal, with prices ranging from 6.10 euros (300g) and 18.70 euros (a kilogram).
For more information, please visit www.monforqueijo.pt The website has an English version.
