American Cheese Society Awards

ACS 2011 Contest

Kudos to the cheesemaking team at Rogue Creamery in Central Point. For the second time in three years, Rogue River Blue was named Best of Show at the 27th annual American Cheese Society judging and competition in Montreal, Canada. 

Rogue River Blue is handmade using autumnal equinox milk from Brown Swiss and Holstein cow milk. The cows graze in 1,650-foot elevation pastures along the Rogue River. The five-pound wheels are made by hand and aged in specially constructed caves.  After maturation, the cheese is wrapped in Syrah grape leaves from Carpenter Hill Vineyard, which have been macerated in Clear Creek pear brandy and tied to the wheel with raffia. The cheese is released annually starting in September.

Oregon cheesemakers did well in the competition overall, bringing home 11 awards in eight categories, including four first place finishes. 

2011 Oregon Winners:

Briar Rose Creamery

First: Chocolate Goat Cheese Truffles

Rivers Edge Chevre

Second: Up In Smoke

Rogue Creamery

First:/Best in Show: Rogue River Blue

Third: Echo Mountain Blue

Third: Chocolate Stout Cheddar

Tillamook County Creamery Association

First: Colby

Third: Monterey Jack

Third: Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar

Third: Reduced-Fat Monterey Jack

Tumalo Farms

First: Classico

Second:  Rimrocker

The 2011 competition was the largest ever in North America, with 1676 entries from 258 companies in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.