Description: An unpasteurized sheep's milk cheese from the Beira Baixa region of Portugal, the Azeitao cheese is hand made in clay pots, warmed next to an open fire and lined with wild purple thistle flowers. Texture can range from soft to hard, but for the most part, the Azeitao is known as a buttery, semi-soft cheese with a thick edible rind. It has a strong taste -- herbal and slight salty -- and is not for the weak of heart.
Type of Milk: Sheep
Where is it Produced: Portugal
Wine Pairings:
| Merlot: The lush rich creaminess of the cheese will shine when combined with a bigger, younger merlot with lots of fruit showing.
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| Grenache: The slight forward fruit and minerals of the grape pairs well to the savory creaminess and sheep flavors presence of the cheese.
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