CENTRAL POINT, OR — Rogue Creamery’s Organic Rogue River Blue has done it again! This much-celebrated cheese has added another accolade to a long list of successes, wowing the 2018 Specialty Food Association sofi awards judges and earning Gold in the Cheese – Cow Milk category.
A two-time American Cheese Society Best in Show winner and winner of Best Blue Cheese in the World at the 2003 World Cheese Awards, this renowned blue cheese is consistently ranked among the best-of-the-best.
“What a tremendous honor it is for the Rogue River Blue to win Gold,” commented David Gremmels, President of Rogue Creamery. “This is the cheese that put us on the map. Having it recognized again as one of the top cheeses on the market is a testament to its timelessness.”
Rogue River Blue reflects the essence of the land that inspired it: Southern Oregon’s beautiful Rogue Valley. Here, dairy cows graze on lush pastures bordering the Rogue River, where they enjoy a diet of native grasses, hop clover, wild herbs, Himalayan blackberries, and wildflowers, supplemented with grass hay, alfalfa, and grain off the farm.
Rogue River Blue is made annually beginning on the autumnal equinox, when cooler temperatures bring renewed growth to the pastures and the cow’s milk becomes richer and higher in butterfat due to the advanced stage of their lactation cycle. Gremmels considers this to be the best milk for expressing the unique attributes of their region.
Following the initial cheesemake, the wheels are hand-wrapped in organic Syrah grape leaves from local, biodynamic Cowhorn Vineyard that have been soaked in organic pear liqueur. Each wheel is cave-aged for 9 to 12 months before the annual autumn release.
This blue has a decidedly complex character that reflects the unique seasonal influences of the Rogue River Valley. Its forward, rich taste carries notes of brandy, fruit, and burnt cream. The flavors of the region’s signature terroir also shine through, including hints of sweet pine, wild ripened berries, hazelnuts, morels, and pears.
The USDA Certified Organic milk used for this cheese is sourced exclusively from Rogue Creamery’s own organic dairy in Grants Pass, OR. Rogue Creamery’s commitment to sustainability means that the dairy makes every effort to ensure that it does not negatively influence the land and surrounding community. This includes using solar power to offset the facility’s energy needs, innovative means of waste repurposing, and rotational intensive grazing practices. All this makes for a more ethical cheese – and that love and care carries through into the finished product.
Rogue Creamery, Oregon’s first Public Benefit Company, was founded in 1933; it has been a leader in the world of handcrafted cheese for decades. Their organic blue and cheddar cheeses embrace the wild spirit of Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley, striking a balance between old world traditions and the flavors of new world terroir. Some of their other products that have been honored with sofi awards in the past include Flora Nelle Blue, Oregon Blue, and Smokey Blue.
Rogue Creamery: people dedicated to sustainability, service, and the art and tradition of creating the world’s finest handmade cheese. Learn more at: www.roguecreamery.com.
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Source: Rogue Creamery