48 culturecheesemag.com BES T CHEESES 2024
Spenwood
Village Maid Cheese
Reading, England
British cheesemaker Village Maid Cheese took home a Super
Gold at the 2022 WCA and Silver at the 2023 WCA for this
hard sheep's milk cheese. Inspired by Sardinian classics like
Pecorino Sardo, Spenwood is made with vegetarian rennet
and aged for nine months, developing a thin natural rind in the
process. is cheese achieves a similar piquant flavor to the
Italian original with a sweet, milky finish and supple texture.
PAIR IT!
Nutty and mild 12-month Momiji tames the acidic
tingle of Miyakobijin Shuzo Yoigokochi Yuzu Sake,
a sweet-and-sour sake that tastes like lemonade
for grownups.
Momiji
Niseko Cheese Factory
Hokkaido, Japan
Niseko Cheese Factory won Gold at the
2022 WCA for Momiji, an orange-hued
mimolette-style cheese made with cow's
milk. Aged for at least 12 months, this
cheese is nutty, mild, and pairs well with all
manner of beverages (especially sake). e
name "momiji" comes from the Japanese
word for the reddish-orange color of fall
leaves—fitting for this pumpkin-like wheel.
Âlde Fryske
De Fryske
Lemmer, Netherlands
Dutch cheesemaker De Fryske was among the Super Gold winners
at the 2022 WCA, taking ird in the top 16 cheeses for their rich
and nutty Âlde Fryske. (It also took home Bronze at the 2023
WCA.) is impressive wheel is a hard cow's milk cheese, aged at
least three months, giving it a firm, crumbly texture with warming
notes of toffee and caramel. It's ideal for adding to cheese boards
or using in your favorite cheesy dishes, from burgers to pasta bakes.
