Celebrated artisan cheesemaker adds to their list of accolades
The UK-based ICDA announced its 2021 winners on Thursday, October 21. It draws cheesemakers from all over the world to compete in what it touts as, “the world’s biggest platform to champion world class producers of cheese and dairy products.” With dozens of categories to highlight the diversity of cheese styles from the UK and beyond, ICDA provides a platform where small artisan cheesemakers can be celebrated.
Rogue Creamery affirmed its reputation for top-quality cheesemaking in 2019, when its seasonal, organic Rogue River Blue cheese was named World Champion at the 2019/20 World Cheese Awards. But this world champion cheesemaker does not rest on its laurels; it continues to innovate and improve upon its techniques.
“Recognition at the International Cheese Awards is a tremendous honor,” comments Rogue Creamery president David Gremmels. “It’s testament to the expertise of our cheesemakers and affineurs, and to the dedication and passion shared by every individual in our company.”
The reigning World Champion cheese, Rogue River Blue, was honored with two gold medals at this year’s ICDA: Best Organic Cheese (Non-UK) and Best USA Blue Cheese. Made seasonally each fall and only in limited batches, Rogue River Blue is a highly sought-after delicacy. Though its limited nature means that it can be hard to come by, this cheese is now available for sale in select specialty markets in the USA, as well as at RogueCreamery.com. Rogue also has plans to export a small quantity of wheels to the EU, UK, and Australia in the weeks ahead.
Rogue Creamery was also recognized in the highly-competitive Best Blue Cheese (Non-UK) category with both Gold and Silver medals, awarded to its Oregon Blue and Caveman Blue cheeses, respectively. It also won gold for Best New Dairy Product (Non-UK) with its Enraptured Blanc, a blue cheese soaked in a white wine vintners blend, introduced in December 2020 and exclusively available at Whole Foods Market.
Rogue Creamery’s much-loved Smokey Blue, a blue cheese cold-smoked over Oregon hazelnut shells, took silver in the Naturally Smoked Cheese (Non-UK) category. And to its surprise and delight, its limited-production Smokey Touvelle – a spinoff of its popular, original recipe hard cheese, Touvelle – took gold for Best Naturally-Smoked Hard Cheese (Non-UK).
Last but not least, Rogue Creamery was also awarded gold for Label Design Presented on a Branded Pack for its new line of exact-weight retail wedges. Six of its iconic blue cheeses are now available in this appealing new format: Oregon Blue, Smokey Blue, Caveman Blue, Oregonzola, Crater Lake Blue, and Bluehorn Blue.
“In designing this new retail wedge line, we wanted to highlight the individuality of each of these blue cheese styles, while simultaneously reducing our packaging to improve our carbon footprint,” comments Marguerite Merritt, Rogue’s Marketing Director. The new wedges can be found in several retailers nationwide, including Sprouts and Publix.
Gremmels was elated to receive the ICDA announcement last Thursday afternoon. “Our motto is ‘Quality Without Compromise.’ I’m filled with pride to receive these awards – they’re proof that we’re living up to our aspirations and continuing to raise the bar with every cheese we create.”
About Rogue Creamery: Rogue Creamery is a USDA certified organic cheese maker located in Central Point, Oregon. Over the past 88 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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