Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Gruyère named best cheese in the world (again)

Gruyère cheeses
The winning Gruyère was described by the judges as a “really perfect handcrafted cheese” © Keystone / Michael Buholzer

A Gruyère from Vorderfultigen in Bern has been named the 2022 World Champion Cheese, beating a Gorgonzola from Italy.

It is the fourth time that Le Gruyère AOPExternal link, a hard cheese made from unpasteurised milk named after the town of GruyèresExternal link in Fribourg, has triumphed at the World Cheese AwardsExternal link, organised by the Guild of Fine Food.

A “surchoix” version of the cheese made by the Vorderfuldigen village cheeseryExternal link and matured by GourminoExternal link was crowned the winner in a tense finale to the 2022-2023 event, held in Newport in Wales.

Billed by the judges as a “really perfect handcrafted cheese”, the winner was run closely in the final round of tasting by Gorgonzola Dolce DOP by De’ Magi Formaggi.

The day-long judging process began with a record 4,434 cheeses from 42 countries, whittled down by 250 expert judges representing 38 nations. A 16-strong Super Jury from 15 countries then picked a champion in a final round of tasting and scoring in front of a live audience.

External Content

Swiss judge Christian Zürcher championed the cheese for being “smooth in your mouth and melting on your tongue. You have a lot of flavour in it, from herbs to fruity, roasted, with a real leather note”.

“It’s well balanced and long lasting. It’s really something I enjoy,” he said.

Ukrainian entry

As always, the awards were an international affair, with a host of regions and nations represented, including India, the Canary Islands, the US, Australia and Japan.

There were also a number of submissions from Ukraine, which was originally meant to host the awards this year. The Guild of Fine Food waived all entry fees for cheesemakers from the country and gave them the opportunity to showcase their cheeses throughout the day.

Representing the nation as a judge, the owner of Ukrainian retail chain Cheese Kingdom Denis Priimagi expressed gratitude for the opportunity and said it was an “honour and pleasure” to attend the event, thanking the team and fellow producers for their support.

More
Switzerland says sorry picture

More

Switzerland says sorry! The fondue invasion

This content was published on Swiss comedian and director Patrick Karpiczenko apologises for the Cheese Union, a mafia-like cartel that has flooded the world with cheese.

Read more: Switzerland says sorry! The fondue invasion

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Adapted Swiss borders with France and Italy

More

Glacier melt causes changes to Swiss-Italian border

This content was published on Switzerland has adapted its borders with Italy and France. The changes with Italy are linked to melting glaciers, while those with France concern a tram line and rivers in the Geneva region.

Read more: Glacier melt causes changes to Swiss-Italian border
Almost one in five tunnels shows moderate damage

More

Report: one in five Swiss tunnels damaged, but safe

This content was published on According to Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (Astra), national roads are in good condition overall. Almost one in five tunnels has moderate damage but they are safe, it said on Thursday.

Read more: Report: one in five Swiss tunnels damaged, but safe
ZH: couple punished for reducing two women to virtual slavery

More

Swiss couple sentenced for enslaving two housekeepers

This content was published on A 46-year-old Swiss man has received a three year sentence, including nine months in jail, for exploiting, locking up and handcuffing two housekeepers he brought to Switzerland between 2018 and 2019.

Read more: Swiss couple sentenced for enslaving two housekeepers

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR