Wisconsin produces some of the best cheese in the world.
Wisconsin is famous worldwide for its cheese, with a history of over 160 years of crafting quality cheeses. The first cottage industry cheese factory was established in the state in 1841. At the time of publication, with approximately 13,000 dairy farms and 1. 25 million cows, Wisconsin produces more than 600 varieties of cheese with some of its best cheeses winning more awards than any other state or country.
American Cheese Society Awards
The American Cheese Society, founded in 1983 as a national organization for cheese appreciation, holds an annual competition and festival. Cheeses from producers and regions worldwide enter the competition, and Wisconsin cheeses are frequently awarded ribbons. Extra Aged Pleasant Ridge Reserve captured the Best of Show ribbon in 2010, marking the third time this Wisconsin cheese producer has won the top award. Other notable Wisconsin cheeses landing ribbons include cheeses from Carr Valley Cheese, LaVille; BelGioiso Cheese, Denmark; and Sartori Foods, Plymouth.
World Championship Cheese Contest Awards
The World Championship Cheese Contest, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, holds an annual contest in which cheeses from around the world are selected by a team of international judges. The 2010 competition featured 2,318 entries from 20 countries. Wisconsin cheese makers walked away with 21 blue ribbons, more than any other country entered in the competition. Notable Wisconsin cheeses include a cheddar by Land O'Lakes, Kiel; a Havarti by Edelweiss Creamery, Monticello; semi-soft goat's milk cheeses by Montchevre Betin, Belmont; and a flavored Gouda by Holland's Family Cheese, Thorp.
U.S. Championship Cheese Contest Award
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, established in 1891, is the nation's oldest and largest cheese and butter competition. Wisconsin cheese makers took top honors in the 2010 competition and received 115 awards in all. The U.S. Champion was awarded to SarVecchio Parmesan made by Sartori Food Corp. in Antigo. Other notable Wisconsin cheeses in the competition include a mild cheddar produced by Trega Foods, Weyauwga; a Colby made by La Grander's Hillside Dairy, Inc., Stanely; a baby Swiss by Chalet Cheese Co-op, Monroe; and a Camembert Brie by Lactalis USA, Inc., Belmont.
Where to Find
Wisconsin award-winning cheeses are available in supermarkets, cheese retail shops and gourmet and specialty food shops nationwide. Cheeses produced in Wisconsin bear a distinctive "Wisconsin Cheese" logo. Some of the cheeses can be ordered online via the cheese makers' websites. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board offers cheese tours that include cheese plants, retail shops and other cheese-related destinations statewide.
Tags: Championship Cheese, Championship Cheese Contest, Cheese Contest, Wisconsin cheeses, cheese makers
