Villajos 'Reserva' Manchego Cheese in Wooden Box - 4 Pounds
$119
- Perhaps the best Manchego in Spain
- Handmade wooden presentation box
- Reserva which is aged for over one year
- Gold Medal at 2021 Lyon International Competition
- Size - 4 pounds/1.8 kg
Villajos Reserva is an authentic handmade, raw sheep's milk cheese cured for over one year. This aged "curado" Manchego has a full rich flavor with a nice sharpness. Slice and serve with olives and sliced jamón for the authentic flavor of Spain. Packed in a rustic wooden box, it makes a superb gift!
Many connoisseurs rate this Villajos as the best Manchego in Spain (and therefore the world). We are proud to be the exclusive source of this precious cheese in America. Their tiny artisan family operation is too small for the Villajos brothers to supply the commercial market.
The cheese is "homemade" - made in small quantities by two brothers from milk supplied by local shepherds. The cheese is made with raw milk from the Manchega breed of sheep, which are tended by shepherds in the hills surrounding the village. The sheep graze on fresh grass and herbs as they wander the countryside, adding a complex full flavor to their milk.
The family collects the fresh milk and makes the cheese within hours of milking in order to preserve its natural aroma and taste. This extra effort is amply rewarded. Because the milk is so fresh, it does not need to be pasteurized which would tone down the rich flavors of the cheese.
It yields an insuperable taste, full of subtle tones -- far superior to that of the industrial cheeses that are made with pasteurized milk. We order at least five months ahead so that they can plan to have enough milk from the local shepherds. The entire production process is supervised by the Council of the Denomination of Origin of Manchego Cheese.
Despite its relatively recent arrival in the cheese marketplace, the beautifully crafted Villajos "curado" earned First Prize for Manchego in 2002, a Silver Medal in 2003 and a Silver Medal in 2006 at the Gran Selección de Castilla La Mancha contest.
The Gran Selección is an annual food contest held by the regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha. Products such as wine, Manchego cheese, saffron, extra virgin olive oil, etc. run for a prize in their own categories for 'best of the year'. It is not an easy achievement to win so many of these prestigious awards during such a short term.
This cheese also won a "Great Taste" award and a Gold Medal at the 2021 Lyon International Competition.
There are many cheeses marketed as Manchego, but this one is in a class by itself.
Ingredients
Unpasteurized sheep's milk, salt, rennet, starter culture, preserving agent egg lysozyme (from egg whites), natamycin applied to the non-edible rind.
All information listed on our website, including nutrient content information, ingredient lists, and information relating to health claims is for informational purposes only and not provided as medical advice. You should carefully read all information in the actual product packaging and labels, including for food allergen, nutrient content and qualified health claims before using or consuming a product. La Tienda does not assume any liability for inaccuracies or misstatements about products.
Use and Care
This cheese may be refrigerated up to 6 months when unopened, and 3 to 4 weeks after opening. We do not recommend freezing cheese as it degrades the quality of the product.
Eating the rind is not recommended.
Spots on the exterior can be wiped off with a cloth lightly dampened with olive oil or can be cut off.
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Customer Reviews
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"Strong, rich, dry, and crumbly. Almost more like Parmesan than ordinary Manchego. "
Gordon - Detroit , MI July 2022
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"Heaven in a box!"
Ronald - Phildelphia, PA December 2021
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hittori - RESTON, VA July 2014
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"Magnificent Manchego! I know Manchego well as being originally from Spain and this was excellent!"
Teba - WASHINGTON, DC July 2014
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"Flaky when slicing but great flavor and enjoy with the Bellota"
Crystal - Southern Pines, North Carolina July 2014
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"The cheese arrived in good shape and is delicious! I will definitely re-order when this fabulous round has been consumed! "
Fletcher - HOLLYWOOD, CA April 2013
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"This cheese is fabulous! I have ordered it many times in the past and it is consistently wonderful."
Cathy - July 2010