Seattle, WA — Wisconsin cheesemakers dominated the annual American Cheese Society Competition on Aug. 28 in Seattle, Wash., capturing 98 ribbons, including the prestigious Best of Show prize. Extra Aged Pleasant Ridge Reserve, made by Uplands Cheese in Dodgeville, Wis., was named Best of Show for the third time, winning previously in 2001 and 2005. It is the only cheese in the history of the competition to win the top prize three times.
Of 1,462 total entries, Wisconsin cheesemakers scored nearly one-third of all awards, more than any other state. America’s Dairyland’s 98 awards included 29 firsts, 36 seconds and 33 third places. Cheesemakers from 225 companies in 34 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico were represented.
Several Wisconsin cheesemakers had outstanding performances, including Carr Valley Cheese, LaValle, which landed 18 ribbons. BelGioioso Cheese, Denmark, captured the second most ribbons for Wisconsin, with a total of seven awards, and Sartori Foods in Plymouth took home six ribbons.
First place ribbons went to:
- Arthur Schuman, Inc, Montfort: Montforte Gorgonzola Cheese
- BelGioioso Cheese, Denmark: Sharp Provolone Mandarino
- Bleu Mont Dairy, Blue Mounds: Lil Wils BIG Cheese
- Carr Valley Cheese, LaValle: Smoked Billy Blue, Fresh Marisa, Native Sheep
- Cesar Cheese, Random Lake: Oaxaca String Cheese
- DreamFarm, Cross Plains: Fresh Goat Cheese with Pesto
- Edelweiss Creamery, Monticello: Cellar Aged Grass Based Gouda, Grass Based Emmentaler
- Emmi-Roth Käse USA, Monroe: GranQueso
- Hidden Springs Creamery, Westby: Driftless Honey Lavender
- Holland’s Family Cheese, Thorp: Marieke Gouda Onion Garlic, Marieke Gouda Smoked
- Klondike Cheese, Monroe: Brick, Reduced Fat Feta
- Lactalis American Group, Belmont: 1 kg Brie
- Montchevré-Betin, Belmont: Chèvre in Blue – Goat Milk Blue Cheese
- North Hendren Cooperative Dairy, Willard: Black River Caraway Blue
- Pine River Pre-Pack, Newton: Extra Sharp Cheddar Cold Pack Cheese Food
- Sartori Foods, Plymouth: Sartori Reserve BellaVitano Gold, Sartori Reserve Pastorale Blend, Sartori Asiago, Sartori Reserve Balsamic BellaVitano
- Saxon Homestead Creamery, Cleveland: Green Fields
- Uplands Cheese, Dodgeville: Extra Aged Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Pleasant Ridge Reserve
- Widmer's Cheese Cellars, Theresa: Traditional Colby, 8-Year Cheddar
In addition to landing the most first place awards, Wisconsin cheesemakers swept 11 categories, including: American Originals Brick Cheese; American Originals Colby; American Originals made from Sheep’s Milk or Mixed Milk; Blue Mold Cheese made from Cow’s Milk; Blue Mold Cheese made from Goat’s Milk; Italian Type Cheeses Grating Types; Italian Type Cheeses Pasta Filata; Smoked Cheeses made from Cow’s Milk; Fresh Sheep’s Milk Cheeses Flavor Added; Cheese Spreads made from Cow’s Milk; and Aged Sheep’s Milk Cheeses.
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, a nonprofit organization funded by the state’s dairy farmers, promotes the consumption of Wisconsin Cheese and other dairy products.
For more information, contact Heather Porter Engwall, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, at 608-203-7235 or hporterengwall@wmmb.org.
Source: Milwaukee Milk Marketing Board