Cheese as an element that improves everything: this idea is already contemplated in Spanish proverbs with expressions such as “no darla con queso” (don’t give it with cheese). And since not just any cheese will do, the Community of Madrid has recently announced the fourth edition of the contest ‘The Best Cheeses of the Community of Madrid’.
A total of 57 cheeses from 12 artisan dairies were submitted to this edition and, although there were different winners in different categories, only one was proclaimed the best cheese in Madrid.
And that is the Vega Alberche al Vino from the Vega Alberche cheese factory in Aldea del Fresno. The cheese of this small cheese factory run by Javier Garnacho is made with a mixture of pasteurized sheep and goat milk, is cured for three and a half months and is washed with a wine that gives it color and aroma.
Price and where to buy
The best cheese in Madrid is not found in supermarkets or stores or on the internet. It is almost a coherent anachronism (for the sake of valuing artisan work) that you have to go to the farm itself (crossroads with Ctra. de Picadas, 2, N 507) to buy it.
“We sell here: we don’t have distribution,” says Garnacho and adds “this is like El Bulli: you have to come here.” Vega Alberche cheese has a limited production, although Garnacho plans to increase it in the coming months.
The price per kilo of cheese is 22 € and the piece can be purchased for a price close to 15 €.
Other award-winning cheeses
In the other categories, the winning cheeses are as follows:
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- Best fresh cheese: Food from Miraflores.
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- Best soft cheese: Food from Miraflores.
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- Best mixed cheese: Vega Alberche Cheese Factory.
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- Best semi-cured sheep cheese: Jaramera Cheese Factory.
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- Best cured sheep cheese: Livestock and Hunting Management, Ganatel.
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- Best goat cheese: Food from Miraflores.
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- Best shepherd’s field cheese, farm with its own livestock on its premises: Vega Alberche Cheese Factory.
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- Best cheese ‘M Certified Product’ with certification seal of the Community of Madrid: Livestock and Hunting Management, Ganatel.
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- Best cheese in Madrid: Vega Alberche Cheese Factory.