Shepherds in Alava, in the Basque Country have with remarkable hyperbole claimed that Idiazabal cheese, will disappear if a check is not put on wolves. Idiazabal is made with the Basque breed of latxa (lacha) sheep. Shepherds claim that the recent expansion of wolves in Alava is threatening their survival. (El Correo Digital)
A lacha sheep
Smoked with oak and beach, Idiazabal is one of my favourite Spanish cheeses, though I have many favourite Spanish cheeses.
Books about the Basque Country I have read
The Basque Country: A Cultural History by Paddy Woodworth: Full of fascinating facts. An excellent balanced account.
The Basque History of the World by Mark Kurlansky. Interesting in places but wildly opinionated.
Tags: Basque sheep cheese, Sheep in Spain, shepherds in Spain