The Southern Oregon Cheesemaker’s seasonal blue cheese is one of the world’s most premier artisan cheeses.
Cheese lovers around the world eagerly anticipate the autumnal return of Rogue River Blue. Released every year on the Equinox, it is the Southern Oregon artisan cheesemaker’s seasonal specialty, with flavors reflecting the locale. The organic blue cheese is the first and only USA-made cheese to be crowned World Champion at the World Cheese Awards, receiving this top honor in cheesemaking at the 2019/20 ceremony held in Bergamo, Italy.
When fall’s cooler temperatures and wet weather bring renewed growth to the Southern Oregon pastures, the milk gathered from Rogue Creamery’s dairy cows is at its best; this is when the cheesemaker begins filling its vats to create Rogue River Blue. After aging 9 to 11 months, the wheels are hand-wrapped with locally harvested, biodynamically grown grape leaves from Troon Vineyard that have been soaked in pear spirits. Approximately one year after the wheels were first crafted, they are enjoyed by connoisseurs from coast to coast and in over a dozen countries worldwide.
Rogue River Blue has a deep connection to the landscape from which it comes. The cows that produce the milk for this world-class cheese graze on nutrient-rich, certified organic pastures, where they are thoughtfully cared for by their farmers. Rogue Creamery’s dairy models sustainability in dairy farming, with forward-thinking practices aimed at building soil health and improving the well-being and happiness of its herd. This includes creating hay from its own pastures, which reduces the farm’s carbon footprint and enhances the creamery’s terroir-driven approach to cheesemaking.
The flavor profile of Rogue River Blue evolves as it matures, making it a nuanced cheese to explore and revisit well into the holiday season. During the late summer and early fall, the cheese’s profile is bright, mild, and tangy; notes of fermented fruit, plus savory and umami flavors, emerge as the cheese ages and becomes creamier.
Rogue River Blue is now available at select specialty cheese shops and counters nationwide, as well as RogueCreamery.com.
Rogue Creamery is a USDA certified organic cheese maker located in Central Point, Oregon. For 90 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.
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