Idiazabal cheese

hard · sheep milk · Spain · $$$

A firm body, with a moderately tangy flavor.

Attribute scores

meltability 4/10

sharpness 6/10

creaminess 3/10

firmness 7/10

pungency 6/10

Best cheese wine pairing

Pair Idiazabal cheese with a bold Spanish red like Tempranillo (Rioja) — a salty, sharp sheep's-milk cheese (sharpness 6) wants a structured red to match it.

Substitutes for Idiazabal cheese

Cheese	Why it works
Pecorino Sardo	similar overall, but less pungency
Pag cheese	similar overall, but less pungency
Oscypek	similar overall, but more meltability
Roncal cheese	similar overall, but more sharpness
Manchego	similar overall, but less pungency
Kefalotyri	similar overall, but more sharpness