Four Oregon cheeses took home medals, including one coveted “Super Gold” at the 2015 World Cheese Awards, which took place this past weekend in Birmingham, England.  The winners from Oregon are:

These Oregon cheeses represented a tiny fraction of the 2,727 entries from around the world.  The Goldin Artisan Chaumine, a creamy washed-rind goat cheese, can now claim to be one of “The World’s Best 62 Cheeses”, of which just eight hail from the USA.

Goldin Chaumine“The Chaumine is a special cheese for me because making it is more challenging than any other cheese in my portfolio,” says Carine Goldin, owner and cheesemaker at Goldin Artisan Goat Cheese. “On a personal note, it was named after a beloved place in my childhood in France.  So it was a great honor to be able to compete against some big names worldwide in the cheese business and pull a Super Gold!”

For some, this was an international debut.  “This is the first time I’ve ever entered a cheese contest overseas and Lorelei was the only cheese I submitted,” says Sarah Marcus, owner and cheesemaker at Briar Rose Creamery, of her Gold medal entry.  “I’m so happy and proud of my crew.”

These and other delicious Oregon artisan cheeses can be purchased directly from the creameries at farmers markets and in their shops, or at fine local retailers such as New Seasons Markets.  Check out the Oregon Cheese Trail or individual websites for more information on where to buy.

Founded in 2006, the Oregon Cheese Guild is dedicated to the art and craft of making cheese. The Guild is a collaborative effort to increase awareness of Oregon’s artisanal cheeses, create educational opportunities, and provide a platform for cooperation and shared resources among Oregon cheesemakers. Like on Facebook.