Madison, WI – Vermont cheeses took the top two awards at the 2013 American Cheese Society (ACS) Competition in Madison, WI last week, as well as an impressive collection of first, second, and third place ribbons in various classes. Eleven Vermont cheesemakers were awarded a total of 30 ribbons. Winnimere from The Cellars at Jasper Hill earned Best of Show and Bear Hill from Grafton Village Cheese took Second Best of Show from 1,794 entries submitted by 257 companies-the largest ACS competition to date.
"The ribbons just kept mounting up," said Jeremy Stephenson, President of the Vermont Cheese Council. "It is a testament to the talent and dedication of our cheesemakers, and to Vermont's unique terroir, that our tiny state was able to lead in this prestigious national competition. The fact that ribbons were awarded to both larger, well-known brands and to smaller artisan cheeses showcases Vermont's diverse and vibrant community of cheesemakers."
The American Cheese Society is a not-for-profit trade organization that supports the North American artisan and specialty cheese industry. A panel of 37 judges at the annual competition recognized "cheeses that are of the highest quality in their aesthetic and technical evaluation."
Vermont cheeses earned 30 ribbons at the competition, including 11 first place and the top two overall awards. Multiple ribbons were earned by Boston Post Dairy (3), Cabot Creamery Cooperative (7), the Cellars at Jasper Hill (6), Grafton Village Cheese Company (4), and Vermont Creamery (4). Consider Bardwell Farm, Farms for City Kids/Spring Brook Farm, Franklin Foods, Maplebrook Farm, Shelburne Farms, and Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company also took home awards. The complete listing is below and is also available on the American Cheese Society website.
Results of 2013 American Cheese Society Annual Competition Vermont Winners Listed Alphabetically by Cheesemaker
BEST OF SHOW
Cellars at Jasper Hill – Winnimere
2nd PLACE
Grafton Village Cheese – Bear Hill
Boston Post Dairy
1st Place – Eleven Brothers
2nd Place – Tres Bonne
2nd Place – Smoking Goud
Cabot Creamery Cooperative
1st Place – Cabot Jalapeno 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar 1st Place – Cabot Tuscan Cheddar 1st Place – Cabot 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar 2nd Place – Cabot Vanilla Bean Greek Style Yogurt 2nd Place – Cabot 83 Unsalted Butter 3rd Place – Cabot Monterey Jack 3rd Place – Cabot Old School Cheddar
Cellars at Jasper Hill
1st Place and Best of Show – Winnimere
1st Place – Willoughby
1st Place – Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
2nd Place – Landaff from Landaff Creamery
3rd Place – Harbison
Consider Bardwell Farm
2nd Place – Rupert
Farms For City Kids Foundation/Spring Brook Farm 1st Place -Tarentaise
Franklin Foods
3rd Place – Green Mountain Farms Garlic
Grafton Village Cheese
1st Place and 2nd Place Best of Show- Bear Hill 2nd Place – Apple Pie Eweden 2nd Place – Vermont Clothbound Cheddar
Maplebrook Farm
3rd Place – Burratini
Shelburne Farms
2nd Place – Shelburne Farms 2 Year Cheddar Extra Sharp
Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery
1st Place – Cultured Butter blended with Sea Salt and Maple 1st Place – Bonne Bouche 2nd Place – Coupole 3rd Place – Mascarpone
Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company
3rd Place – Alehouse Cheddar
The Vermont Cheese Council is dedicated to the production and advancement of Vermont cheese. For more information visit www.vtcheese.com or come to the Green Mountain State and visit the Vermont Cheese Trail.
Source: Vermont Cheese Council