Posted: 08.31.2010

Do you think Seattle got the message?  Wisconsin knows how to make cheese!

The American Society of Cheese just wrapped up its annual event in Seattle - awarding nearly 100 prizes to Wisconsin cheeses!

Uplands Cheese of Dodgeville brings back the "Best of Show" title with it's Extra Aged Pleasant Ridge Reserve.  Uplands cheesemaker, Andy Hatch, told the Wisconsin State Journal that their phone has been ringing off the hook since they got back from the competition.  The Pleasant Ridge Reserve is a very special - limited quantity - cheese, that people are requesting from all over the world.  Hatch says they routinely start taking orders at this time of the year for the specialized cheese - but this year, because of the award - they're really busy!

The competition featured all kinds of cheese entries from around the country.  Goat cheeses, flavored cheeses - and of course the standard staples like cheddar and mozzarella.

Wisconsin also did exceptionally well in the cheese spread category - with four Wisconsin companies grabbing all four top spots in the cow milk category.

Organizers of the event in Seattle said there were 225 producers from 34 states, Canada and Mexico.  Total entries - 1,462 cheeses and cultured dairy products.  That's 135 more then last years event.

They also thanks several Wisconsin cheesemakers for their seasoned guidance in the event - like Dr. Bill Wendorff, Professor of Food Science at UW-Madison.  Wendorff not only helps the American Society of Cheese organize judges for their event - he also acts as an advisor in guiding judges on categories and definition.

You can find ALL of the Wisconsin cheesemaking winners at
www.cheesesocitey.org

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