Cheese and wine are two of the most famous products in Portugal, and the region surrounding Cascais is no exception. Here are the top 5 cheeses produced near Cascais, along with information about their awards, price ranges, and food pairings.
Azeitão Cheese is a soft, creamy cheese made from sheep's milk. It's produced in the Setubal Peninsula, which is located just south of Cascais. This cheese has won numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2018 World Cheese Awards. It's priced around €12-€15 per kg and pairs well with red wine, such as a Douro or Alentejo.
Queijo da Serra is a semi-hard cheese made from sheep's milk in the Serra da Estrela region, located in the central part of Portugal. This cheese has won numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2019 World Cheese Awards. It's priced around €25-€30 per kg and pairs well with a red wine from the Douro region or a port wine.
Serpa Cheese is a semi-soft cheese made from sheep's milk. It's produced in the Alentejo region, which is located just south of Cascais. This cheese has won numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2017 World Cheese Awards. It's priced around €20-€25 per kg and pairs well with red wine, such as a Douro or Alentejo.
Evora Cheese is a hard cheese made from sheep's milk. It's produced in the Alentejo region and has a unique flavor that's slightly spicy. This cheese has won numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2018 World Cheese Awards. It's priced around €18-€22 per kg and pairs well with a red wine from the Alentejo region.
Nisa Cheese is a semi-soft cheese made from sheep's milk. It's produced in the Nisa region, located in the eastern part of Portugal. This cheese has won numerous awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2019 World Cheese Awards. It's priced around €15-€18 per kg and pairs well with a red wine from the Douro region.
NOTE!
When it comes to pairing cheese and wine, it's essential to consider the flavors of each. For example, soft, creamy cheeses like Azeitão Cheese pair well with full-bodied, tannic red wines, while semi-hard cheeses like Queijo da Serra pair well with smoother, more complex red wines like port. Hard cheeses like Evora Cheese pair well with medium-bodied red wines, and semi-soft cheeses like Serpa Cheese pair well with lighter red wines. As for white wine, it pairs well with semi-soft and hard cheeses.
In conclusion, the region surrounding Cascais is home to some of the best cheese and wine in Portugal. From the creamy Azeitão Cheese to the spicy Evora Cheese, there's something for every palate. And with award-winning wines like Quinta do Gradil Reserva and Casa Ermelinda Freitas Reserva, you can't go wrong. So, if you're planning a trip to Cascais, make sure to indulge in some of these local specialties and pair them up for a truly unforgettable experience.