Tasting…Serra Da Estrela Cheese and Wine Tasting

On one of the last days my grandparents were here, we attended the 29th Festival Queijo Serra da Estrela. A festival and tasting of regional cheese, wine and other miscellaneous products from my native Serra da Estrela, Portugal. It is a natural beauty, one of the most famous country mountainside regions in Portugal, mostly known for the Torre, the tallest peak in the country. Where tourists head for winter skiing, and summer hiking and swimming in the numerous clear water lakes. The other famous part of my region in Portugal is its infamous cheese, smoked meats and wine of course. Cheeses, that comes in fresh, velvety and pungent variations. I stayed clear of the meats, my calling was with the eighteen jams to try, savor and determine which to bring home. It was a lovely evening, one that I happily shared and enjoyed with my grandparents. It felt even nicer to be able to take in something with them that is part of our culture and who we are as a family. As I grow older, I have such a deeper and more meaningful appreciate for not only where I grew up, but for high quality and natural {work hard to produce} food.
I bought more than one jar of by far the most amazing Fig jam I’ve every had.  Traditional rustic loaves and sweet bread, too hard to resist when freshly baked and spread with delightful jams or fresh cheese, known as Requejao
There were three options for butter style cheese, the best kind in my opinion and the middle one was my favorite. A very pleasant yet pungent dose of flavor.  I hadn’t been drinking in preparation for my half marathon, but the eager gentleman insisted I try the Dona Ermelinda Red Reserva. I’m glad I tasted this structured, dense yet full and fruity wine, developed through the longer maturation process. It’s originally from a 50 year old vineyard of the “Castelao” variety and younger vineyards of “Touriga Naciional”, “Trincadeira” and “Cabernet Sauvignon”, and a highly recommended Portuguese wine in my opinion.