Wisconsin cheesemakers added to their record-setting achievements at the recent World Championship Cheese Contest, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
The state claimed more awards than other state or country in the competition, winning 31 Best of Class awards, 29 seconds and 35 thirds for a total of 95 ribbons, or 38 percent of all awards. Additionally, Wisconsin cheesemakers swept nine categories: Bandaged Cheddar, Mild to Medium; Mozzarella, Part-Skim; Havarti, flavored; Gorgonzola; Brick and Muenster; Quesos para Fundir; Cold Pack Cheese and Cheese Food; Cold Pack Cheese Spread and Prepared Cheese Foods.
Nine Wisconsin cheese companies took home four or more awards: BelGioioso Cheese, Land O'Lakes, Agropur, Inc., Carr Valley Cheese, Holland's Family Cheese, Klondike Cheese Co., Red Barn Family Farms, Decatur Dairy and Sartori Company.
The contest saw its greatest number of entries in its history with 2,504 products from 24 countries. It is the largest technical cheese and butter competition in the world. The overall contest awards went to FrieslandCampina of the Netherlands for Vermeer, a low-fat Gouda, and World Champion. First runner-up was Kaserai Grundbach, Switzerland for smear-ripened Winzer Kase and second runner-up was SO Appenzeller Kase GmbH, Switzerland, for Appenzeller Kaese.
WMMB's Web site has posted complete Wisconsin contest results.
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, a nonprofit organization funded by the state's dairy farmers, promotes the consumption of Wisconsin Cheese and other dairy products.
Source: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
