CheeseItaly achieved remarkable success on the global stage, securing a total of 22 awards at the 2023 World Cheese Awards held in Norway. Representing the Italian national cheese team, CheeseItaly took home 5 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze medals.
At the 2023 World Cheese Awards in Trondheim, Norway, CheeseItaly garnered an impressive 22 awards. A spokesperson from CheeseItaly expressed great satisfaction, emphasising that all the dairies and companies associated with them earned accolades.
This recognition extends to both small and large producers who appreciate the value and prestige international awards bring to their products. The competition has not only honoured individual cheeses but has also celebrated the rich dairy traditions of five Italian regions.
CheeseItaly medal winners at the 2023 World Cheese Awards
Among the gold medallists, was Grana Padano Dop Soresina, notable for its remarkable 40-month maturation. Additionally, Ovicaprino Il Galeotto secured a gold, as did the matured Brenta from Latterie Vicentine, and the Caciocavallo Silano from D’Ambruso Francesco, a company that had already claimed two super golds for the group in the previous year.
In the silver category, the Asiago Dop fresh reserve from Caseifici Granterre received international recognition for the third consecutive year. The list also includes Amore di capra from Il Carro, Pecorino Gran Riserva Cacio Ercole from La Quercia, and Gorgonzola Dop Piccante Soresina from Latterie Vicentine.
Bronze medals solidified Italy’s standing in the world of dairy, acknowledging cheeses like the seasoned Scamorzone, Etrusco del Dismano produced in the Modena Apennines, Smoked Stracciatella, and the Adrianus Seasoned Pecorino.
In total, the 35th edition of the World Cheese Awards featured 4,502 cheeses from 43 countries. The cheeses were assessed by 264 experts hailing from 38 nations. Unfortunately, due to health regulations in the Tondelag region of Norway, the general public was unable to sample the competing cheeses, as is customary.
In the final stage, the top accolade went to the artisanal blue cheese Nidelven Blå produced by the Gangstadt Gårdsysteri dairy within the same region. Parmigiano Reggiano from the National Parmigiano Reggiano Fratelli Rastelli team stood out as the leading Italian entry coming tenth. Pirano from La Bufalara and Lamucca di Castagno from Romagna Terre came 14th and 15th respectively in the Super Gold section.
Here’s a rundown of the medals awarded to the Italian national cheese team:
Gold Medal Winners
– Caciocavallo Silano Dop, D’Ambruoso Francesco, Bari
– Ovicaprino il Galeotto, La Quercia srl, Rome
– Grana Padano DOP Soresina – over 40 months, Latteria Soresina, Cremona
– Grana Padano DOP Soresina Riserva – over 24, Latteria Soresina, Cremona
– Brenta Stagionato Oro Oro, Latterie Vicentine, Vicenza
Silver Medal Winners
– Grana Padano Riserva over 20 months, Ambrosi Spa, Brescia
– Asiago Dop Fresco Riserva, Caseifici Granterre spa, Vento e Lombardia
– Burrata, D’Ambruoso Francesco, Bari
– Silver goat love, Il Carro srl, Bari
– Pecorino Gran Riserva Cacio Ercole, La Quercia srl, Rome
– Gorgonzola DOP Spicy Soresina, Latteria Soresina, Cremona
– Asiago Dop Fresh Gallo Nero, Latterie Vicentine, Vicenza
– Asiago Dop Fresh Bronze reserve, Caseifici Granterre spa, Vento e Lombardia
Bronze medal winners
– Seasoned scamorzone, Caseificio Andriese, Bontà Genuina, Barletta
– Etrusco del Dismano, Dismano dairy cooperative agricultural society, Modena
– Smoked Stracciatella, D’Ambruoso Francesco, Bari
– Eye of Puglia, D’Ambruoso Francesco, Bari
– White Bronze Bow, Il Carro srl, Bari
– Seasoned Pecorino Adrianus, La Quercia srl, Rome
– Brenta Oro Bronze gold selection, Latterie Vicentine, Vicenza
– Brenta Oro Bronze, Latterie Vicentine, Vicenza
Other Italian cheese winners
Winner of the Best Italian Cheese overall went to Nazionale Parmigiano Reggiano Rastelli Fratelli, Parmigiano Reggiano 30-39 Months.
The Ann-Marie Dyas Award for Best Artisan Cheese was shared between the Italian Romagna Terre, Lamucca di Castagno and the British ‘The Fine Cheese Company’.
Another Italian winner was the Latteria Moro di Moro Sergio from Nero Fumè, which took the trophy for Best Smoked Cheese.
In total, Italian cheeses came home with 385 gold, silver and bronze medals.
