BES T CHEESES 2024 culturecheesemag.com 21
Prosecco-Washed
Harbison
The Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm
Greensboro Bend, Vermont
Jasper Hill's beloved
bark-wrapped round has been
washed in beverages ranging
from gin to whiskey to port wine.
Winning First in its category
at the 2023 ACS, this version is
bathed in Prosecco DOC Brut,
which softens the original's
woodsy, meaty flavors with a
citrusy sweetness. Pair it with—
what else—something bone-dry
and bubbly such as Prosecco
to complement the rich, gooey
interior and bold flavors of this
outstanding wheel. AJ
BelGioioso
Crescenza-Stracchino
BelGioioso Cheese
Green Bay, Wisconsin
is rindless Italian-style cheese,
which took home First in its category
at the 2023 ACS awards, is meant to
be eaten young when its flavors are
bright and milky, or aged for up to
two weeks to develop a pleasant tang
and softer texture. Cheeses at this
stage are some of the most versatile:
take it in a dessert direction by
baking it into cheesecake or serving
with fresh raspberries and wildflower
honey, or go savory by melting it over
a pizza or a burger. AJ
CamemBertha
Four Fat Fowl
Stephentown, New York
Bloomy-rind wheels are known
for being mild and buttery, but a
little extra time in the aging cave
can yield flavors and aromas
ranging from root cellar to brassica
to barnyard. Aged twice as long
as Four Fat Fowls' flagship triple-
cream St. Stephen, CamemBertha
is allowed to develop bolder flavors
while still retaining its welcoming,
milky profile, which may have
played a part in it winning First
in its category at the 2023 ACS.
Tasting notes include cooked
vegetables and a pronounced
pungency that pairs well with funky
wines and farmhouse ales. AJ
CRESCENZA-STRACCHINO
CAMEMBERTHA
