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Cheese from Spain, Region of Murcia

Queso de Murcia al Vino PDOQueso al vino

Whole milk of Murciano-Granadina goats is set with rennet at 30–34 °C. The curd is cut, part of the whey is replaced with water to wash it, it is rewarmed 3–5 °C and pressed 1–4 hours, then brined up to 20 hours. During at least 45 days of ripening at 9–13 °C the cheese is bathed in Murcian red wine, which dyes the rind maroon-violet.

Fully documentedCheese46 daysPDO (EU; registered by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1097/2002 of 24 June 2002)Family: Uncooked or semi-cooked pressed cheese family (tomme, Saint-Nectaire, Reblochon, Morbier, Raclette)

Recipe

No fixed amounts recordedThe specification gives no doses except the curd wash. Cheeses weigh 300 g to 2.6 kg.
Whole milk of Murcian goats from registered farmsAt least 3.4 % protein and 4.7 % fat; kept at 6 °C or colder in transport[murcia-oj2013]
Animal rennet or other approved coagulating enzymes[murcia-borm2001][murcia-oj2013]
Water, to wash the curd[murcia-borm2001]
Sodium chloride brine[murcia-borm2001]
Red wine from the Region of Murcia covered by its geographical indications, such as Monastrell[murcia-oj2013]
Starterlactic starters may be used; the 2013 amendment refers to more active lactic fermenting agents

Total time across the recorded steps: 46 days

Start
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30–34 °C

What changes: Rennet sets the whole goat milk at 30–34 °C

Step 1 of 7
Set with rennet
Time
30 min – 1 h
Set
Temperature
30–34 °C
Set
Salt
None given
Acidity
Not documented

A study found that a lamb rennet paste gave more short-chain free fatty acids and a slightly more bitter, piquant cheese than commercial rennet.

Flavour
Not documented
Texture
Not documented
Colour
Not documented

Microbes at work in this step

Not documented for this step.

Method

Measured measured in a studySet fixed by a specification or tested recipeReported one source reports itTypical a general value, not sourced for this fermentUnconfirmed not yet checked against a source

At a glance

Whole milk of Murciano-Granadina goats is set with rennet at 30–34 °C. The curd is cut, part of the whey is replaced with water to wash it, it is rewarmed 3–5 °C and pressed 1–4 hours, then brined up to 20 hours. During at least 45 days of ripening at 9–13 °C the cheese is bathed in Murcian red wine, which dyes the rind maroon-violet. Made in 7 steps over 46 days. The longest step, ripen with red-wine baths, takes at least 45 days (Región de Murcia 2001) and runs at 9–13 °C (Región de Murcia 2001).

Key numbers
Main stepat least 45 daysSet[murcia-borm2001][murcia-oj2013]Ripen with red-wine baths
Temperature9–13 °CSet[murcia-borm2001]Ripen with red-wine baths
AciditypH at least 5Set[murcia-borm2001][murcia-oj2013]Brine

What makes this one different

Unlike Queso de Murcia, the curd is washed with water and the ripening cheese is bathed in local red wine, which colours the rind.

Milk
Whole Murcian goat milk, at least 4.7 % fat and 3.4 % protein
Ripening
At least 45 days, 30 days for pieces of 500 g or less, at 9–13 °C
Size
Cylinder up to 190 mm across and 100 mm high, 300 g to 2.6 kg; fat at least 45 % of dry matter

Related ferments

Safety

The 2001 specification says milk is kept on the farm below 6 °C to limit microbial growth, unless it is collected within two hours of milking, and that the cheese must reach at least pH 5 when it leaves the brine.

History and sources

Every number is labelled with how it is known. How this atlas is made

In 1922 A. Panés described Jumilla and Yecla goat cheese made with kid rennet steeped in wine and moistened with wine many times as it ripened.

Microbes
No study we found names its microbes.
  1. [murcia-borm2001] Región de Murcia, Anexo I, Pliego de condiciones de las denominaciones de origen 'Queso de Murcia' y 'Queso de Murcia al vino', Boletín Oficial de la Región de Murcia no. 168, 21 July 2001spec
  2. [murcia-oj2013] European Commission, Publication of an amendment application, 'Queso de Murcia al vino', Official Journal of the European Union C 326, 12.11.2013spec
  3. [ferrandini2012] Ferrandini E, Castillo M, de Renobales M, Virto MD, Garrido MD, Rovira S, López MB 2012, Influence of lamb rennet paste on the lipolytic and sensory profile of Murcia al Vino cheese, Journal of Dairy Science 95(6):2788-2796 (abstract)paper
  4. [murcia-reg1097] Commission Regulation (EC) No 1097/2002 of 24 June 2002 entering the names 'Queso de Murcia al vino' and 'Queso de Murcia' in the register of protected designations of origin, Official Journal L 166, 25.6.2002, pp. 8-9spec