At first sight, Spanish Manchego cheese is easily recognizable with its hatched patterned rind, known as pleita in Spain, which was originally a result of the woven, esparto grass baskets used to form and press the cheese. Today the cheese gets this pattern from a mold and is further marked by Spain’s Denomination of Origin regulatory body with a label depicting the famous man of La Mancha, Don Quixote. The cheese is also always from La Mancha, made with whole milk from the Manchega breed of sheep and aged a minimum of 60 days, with the Grand Reserve being aged one year. The flavors are nutty and buttery with a salty bite and olive oil richness. Spaniards traditionally serve this cheese with olives or membrillo, as tapas or on sandwiches.