Rogue Creamery Celebrates its 20th Annual Release of World Champion Cheese Rogue River Blue

The aged blue cheese was the first American Cheese to win the title of World’s Best

Rogue River Blue Cheese has developed a cult following among cheese-lovers across the globe. Every year on the Autumnal Equinox, when the storied cheese is released, cheesemongers from all over the world rush to get their hands on a wheel. This cheese can be found across the USA and overseas in many countries, such as Spain and Australia, bringing a taste of Oregon’s Rogue Valley with it and a new meaning to the term, “American cheese.”

The 2019/2020 World Cheese Awards World Champion cheese is crafted in Southern Oregon by Rogue Creamery. The cheesemakers exclusively use milk collected in the fall, when fresh rains bring renewed growth to the pastures and the cow’s milk is at its best. After cave-aging the wheels for nine to 11 months, Rogue Creamery wraps the cheese in organic, biodynamic Syrah grape leaves from neighboring Troon Vineyard that have been soaked in pear spirits.

“Rogue River Blue truly represents a taste of place. It’s a culmination of flavors and influences in the Rogue Valley, which makes it so special to our community to be able to share it with friends and fans across the globe,” said President of Rogue Creamery, David Gremmels, who created the recipe for the blue cheese more than 20 years ago.

Longtime Rogue Creamery employee Brian Moss participated in his 12th year picking grape leaves for the cheese this summer. “Rogue River Blue means many things to me both personally and professionally. In both cases, it means dedication and teamwork,” said Moss. “Above all else, I think of the people that have made Rogue River Blue possible over the years: David’s commitment to the development of the cheese 20 years ago. The dairy farmers, the milk drivers and receivers, the makers, the Affineurs, the Packaging team, the maintenance, warehouse, and quality teams and the sales, finance, and marketing team. It has been their dedication that has made Rogue River Blue the world’s best.”

Each year, the flavors and texture of Rogue River Blue vary slightly. This year, Gremmels noted the 2022 release exemplifies the classic fudgy and rich texture and flavors of pear brandy, vanilla, toffee, truffle, and fig for which Rogue River Blue is known. He also noted hints of brown butter, milk chocolate, toasted hazelnut, and brothy, savory notes that make this year’s vintage distinctive.

“Rogue River Blue is a cheesemonger favorite, and for good reason,” notes cheese expert Rachael Lucas, who offers pairing and plating classes in Seattle. “A nuanced cheese like Rogue River Blue deserves to be coupled with comestibles of equal complexity; otherwise, whatever you are pairing with the cheese is going to get lost on the palate.  Serve it with poached pears and a dram of briny Talisker and get ready for one of the most titillating mouthfuls you have ever experienced.”

While many Rogue River Blue lovers advise that it needs no pairing and is perfectly balanced all on its own, others recommend what could be considered blasphemous to the purists: using it to craft a championship-worthy grilled cheese sandwich. Longtime friend of Gremmels and food media personality, Chadwick Boyd, was so captivated by the sandwich that he implemented them in his menu. “I don’t think I have ever had a more perfect grilled cheese than a Rogue River Blue grilled cheese served up by David’s mother several years ago at the Creamery. Ever since, I have included Rogue River Blue grilled cheese tea sandwiches in our Culinary Salons here in NYC,” said Boyd, chef and entrepreneur.

Due to ever-increasing public demand and its limited, seasonal availability, Rogue River Blue is expected to sell out very quickly. It will be offered for sale at RogueCreamery.com beginning September 22, 2022, and will be available at select grocers, specialty food stores, and independent cheese shops nationwide this fall.

Rogue Creamery is a USDA certified organic cheese maker located in Central Point, Oregon. Over the past 89 years, Rogue Creamery has drawn from the beauty and flavors of Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley to create organic, handcrafted cheeses that have won international acclaim. But creating the world’s best cheese is only part of Rogue’s mission. They know that business – and in their case, cheese – can be used as a force for good. That’s why they became Oregon’s first public benefit corporation, “B Corp” for short, joining a global movement of companies that are committed to making the world a better place. Rogue Creamery is committed to making a difference socially, economically, and environmentally. Learn more at roguecreamery.com.