Last night, the World Cheese Awards saw a Le Gruyère AOP surchoix, entered by Swiss cheesemaker Vorderfultigen and affineur Gourmino, scoop the highest accolade, World Champion Cheese, at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.

The World Champion Cheese rose to the top of the record-breaking 4,434 entries in this year’s World Cheese Awards, where the best cheeses from around the globe went head-to-head at the world’s largest cheese-only event. The cheeses were scored on aspects such as the appearance of the rind and paste, as well as the cheese’s aroma, body, and texture, with the majority of points awarded for flavour and mouthfeel.

Dennis Kaser, international marketing manager of Le Gruyère AOP comments on the success, “this is a result that shows the quality behind all these people working together; 1900 milk producers, 155 cheesemakers and 11 refiners. This collaborative work results in such a high quality cheese style, which is loved by the consumer. I’m so very proud to be representing Le Gruyère. Huge congratulations to cheesemaker Vorderfultigen and affineur Gourmino.”

This Le Gruyère AOP surchoix is a matured cheese made from raw cow’s milk which is full-bodied with a slightly crumbly texture. It was described as a “really perfect handcrafted cheese, smooth in your mouth and melting on your tongue” by the Super Jury member Christian Zuercher from Mifroma. The tense finale unfolded with Gorgonzola Dolce DOP, made by De’ Magi from Italy, coming in second place.

The 4,434 international cheeses were sent to Wales by boat, truck, train, and plane via 19 consolidation points around the world, removing barriers to entry for many artisan cheese producers. Each were closely examined by the panel of judges, featuring cheesemakers, cheesemongers, buyers, chefs, retailers, and writers, to deem if they were worthy of a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Super Gold award.

The crowds watched on as some of the finest palates in the global cheese community debated the best of the best. Through the judging process, 4,434 became 98 Super Golds and then 16 finalists. These cheeses went on to be re-judged by the International Super Jury, which included Cathy Strange from Whole Foods Market (USA), Patricia Michelson from La Fromagerie (UK), Denis Priimagi from Cheese Kingdom (Ukraine) and Davide Fiori from Luigi Guffanti 1876 (Italy), who put forward their preferred cheeses live on World Cheese TV, which was streamed globally, before crowning this year’s World Champion Cheese.

The top 16 includes:

Le Gruyère AOP surchoix, by cheesemaker Vorderfultigen and affineur Gourmino
Gorgonzola Dolce DOP from De’ Magi
Grosse Tomme de Bufflonne Cave Jacobine from Prolactine France
Âlde Fryske from De Fryske
Tomme de chèvre Cave Jacobine from Prolactine France
PATA DE MULO CURADO LOS PAYUELOS from Quesería Artesanal Los Payuelos
Greensward from Murray’s Cheese
Devon Blue from Ticklemore Cheese
Spenwood from Village Maid Cheese
Grosse Tomme de chèvre Cave Rousseau from Prolactine France
Sinodun Hill from Norton and Yarrow Cheese
Gorwydd Caerphilly from Trethowan’s Dairy Ltd
Großer Deichkäse 12 Monate from Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz GmbH & Co. KG
MA-TRU’ Pecorino Amatriciano from F.LLI PETRUCCI SRL
L’Ambra di Talamello from Rocca Toscana Formaggi S.R.L.
Gentenaer from Little Cheese Farm

Lesley Griffiths, Rural Affairs Minister of the Welsh Government, Principal Global Partner of the World Cheese Awards, says: “I am proud Wales has hosted the world’s biggest cheese awards.

“This really is the ‘World Cup of Cheese’ and a celebration of excellence in cheese making from around the globe.

“In addition to the exceptional cheesemakers, we have welcomed 250 experts from 38 different countries to judge and a Super Jury of 16 judges to select the coveted World Champion Cheese.

“It has also been great to see the strong Welsh presence at the awards who have been able to showcase their high quality products. A huge congratulations to all of the winners and everyone competing this year.”

John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, organisers of the World Cheese Awards, comments: “What a finale. This year’s World Cheese Awards has been a huge success and Wales has been the perfect canvas for this colourful event. We’ve seen more entries than ever before and it’s great to see such a range of styles and regions represented. To crown Le Gruyère AOP surchoix as this year’s World Champion Cheese is so well deserved. The judges in the room today, our cheese experts from all over the world, were clearly blown away by the quality of the cheese and dedication shown by all the cheesemakers.

“I’d like to thank our judges, sponsors and partners, particularly the Welsh Government, for all their continued support and for helping this year’s awards to be bigger and better than ever before, giving the global cheese community a day of well-earned celebration.”

This year’s World Cheese Awards was the 34th edition and has seen more entries than ever before with a record-breaking 4,434 cheeses submitted from 42 countries and 900 companies from around the globe (10.9% UK based, 89.1% international). The cheeses included increased entries from Canada, Argentina, Slovenia and Israel, whilst India followed its first entry in 2021 with several more this year and the Ukraine saw a huge increase in entries after the World Cheese Awards was moved to Wales from its original 2022 location of Kyiv. Well-established cheesemaking nations such as France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom were well represented by both returning and new entrants, with a notable increase in Swiss entries.

All entries were judged in a single day, as 250 experts from 38 different nations studied their appearance, texture, aroma, and flavour. Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Super Gold accolades were awarded during the morning session before the Super Golds were reassessed to find this year’s top 16 cheeses and this year’s World Champion Cheese.