Manawatu-based Cartwheel Creamery took home two trophies: Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions (Boutique) for its Cartwheel Creamery Opiki Ma; and CHR Hansen Champion Soft-Ripened Cheese, also for Cartwheel Creamery, Opiki Ma.
Made with goat milk, Opiki Ma is a soft, white mould cheese - traditionally called a camembert-style - with a hint of mushroom flavours and a melting texture with lingering flavour.
According to Cartwheel Creamery website, the goat milk comes from Fraser Farm in Opiki, which has a cut and carry system for 700 lively Saanen goats who are housed indoors.
It says the milk is pasteurised using a gentle batch process to ensure the maximum goodness of the raw milk is retained. Only cheese cultures, rennet and salt are added to the milk to produce young cheeses that naturally mature to develop a complex flavour profile that varies with seasons.
Family-owned Waikato cheese company, Meyer received two trophies: dish Champion Sheep Milk Cheese for its Meyer Cheese, Sheep Milk Gouda; and New World Champion of Champions (mid-sized) for its Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek.
Meyer has been a regular on the winner's podium over the past 20 years amassing dozens of trophies. It's the third year in a row they have won the Farmhouse Champion - an accolade which recognises the cheesemaker that makes its cheese on the same site as it milks its flock.
After the assessing the cheese the judging panel commented, "A lovely cheese, lovely appearance with seeds... Flavour is lovely, almost a honey flavour and sweet curry. Also lovely creamy balance."
