Good Afternoon Cheesy1’s,
Yesterday was the last day of the International Cheese Awards and after one of their biggest years yet with close to 4,000 cheese entrants they announced the Supreme Champion of the awards. I’m pleased to announce that the 2015 Supreme Champion is Montagnolo Affine a triple creme blue cheese from Kaserei Champignon, Germany and the Reserve Champion of the awards is none other than Wookey Hole Cheddar from Ashley Chase Estate, England.
With 156 judges looking at delicate nuances that occur in cheeses on the 28th July this is a mammoth undertaking which I would love to be a part of one year! The experience between them would certainly clock up and it includes some famous chefs such as James Martin.
These cheeses have to seriously impress to win these prestigious awards so lets talk cheese for a moment.
“Montagnolo Affine is a deliciously creamy soft cheese that ripens particularly slowly. During maturation it develops an aromatic, spicy flavour. On the inside, Montagnolo is laced with fine blue culture that give it a distinctive, slightly sweet aroma and delicate creaminess. The cheese is carefully tended by hand, guaranteeing the master cheesemakers “1ère Qualité” seal. Creamy with the subtle spiciness, Montagnolo is only available at the cheese counter. It comes in two varieties: with a noble grey rind or white mould.”
To read about Wookey Hole follow this link for my post on this lovely Cheddar http://cheesy1.com/2013/08/18/wookeyhole/.
This video highlights the scale of effort that goes into the making of the awards and the judging as well:
Until next year head out to your local cheese shop to get an award winner for your cheese board!
Cheesy1
(All images & videos are property of the International Cheese Awards and are not my own.)
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