CHEESE CHAMPIONS!!!

The Dairy Farmers of Canada came up with the concept of a cheese championship in 1998 in order to promote the hard work of the talented canadian cheesemakers.
Last February in Montreal, the juy weighed in on 172 cheeses (tough job) that were entered in the competition.

The Grand Prize went to the aromatic KÉNOGAMI from Fromagerie Lehmann in the Saguenay region. This cheese is not yet allowed to be sold outside of Québec, so if you are lucky enough to go to la belle province soon, don't forget to buy a piece! Its washed rind has a wonderful aroma of grass and herbs and its flavour is all nut and butter. The KÉNOGAMI is made exclusively with milk from herds on the farm where it is produced.

Also winners in their respective categories:

LE MARQUIS DE TÉMISCOUATA in the 'soft cheese with bloomy rind' category
Mount Pleasant Cheese loves this creamy number from Fromagerie Le Détour in Québec. It is the perfect accompaniement to sparkling wine or summer berries.

LE CIEL DE CHARLEVOIX in the 'blue cheese' category
We have been singing this gem's praises since MPC opened its doors. By far one of the most flavourful and complex blue cheeses we carry. Let it melt in your mouth and you will fall in love with the Charlevoix region without even leaving town. Perfect at the end of a meal with dark chocolate, dried fruits and a glass of Port.

COWS EXTRA-OLD CHEDDAR in the 'Old, Extra Old Cheddar' category
This raw milk Cheddar comes all the way from PEI to blow your mind! Its firm and smooth paste has a beautiful lactic aroma and a tangy flavour that makes it great in recipes as well as paired with a glass of robust red wine.

LE BALUCHON in the 'organic cheese' category
One of my favourite washed-rind cheeses, this one has the bonus of being made from whole organic milk. Nutty, supple and simply delicious with a glass of off-dry white wine.