An organic cheese wins at the Virtual Cheese Awards
Image: Feltham's Farm
Organic cheese Witheridge made by Nettlebed Creamery was crowned Supreme Champion at the Virtual Cheese Awards 2024 in May.
This is the third organic cheese to win Supreme Champion in five years, indicating that organic more than any other quality is a mark of a winning artisan cheese when tasted blind. The previous two organic winners were Renegade Monk (2020) and La Fresca Margarita (2021).
The Virtual Cheese Awards are judged blind online by leading professional cheesemongers and industry tasters. The awards are leading by example showing audiences around the world best practice in making and judging cheeses.
Penny Nagle of the Organic Cheesemaker’s Network said “This is an endorsement of just how good Organic milk and cheese tastes. For organic cheese to beat all other handmade artisan cheeses in the UK and Ireland is an achievement in itself – but to do this three years out of five indicates that organic
cheese is recognised by professional cheese tasters as tasting a whole lot better than non-organic options. More work needs to be done at an organisational level on the market share that organic cheese has within the artisan market, but we at the Organic Cheesemaker’s Network are pretty sure that 3 wins in 5 years is statistically impressive”.
Clare Hadway-Ball of the Soil Association says of the organic cheese market “It’s great to see an organic cheese receiving recognition for its excellent taste and quality. Organic dairy accounts for over 25% of all organic sales in the UK and whilst cheese is only a small part of this it is a great gateway into the sector.”
Sarah de Wit of the Virtual Cheese Awards says, “The quality of British cheese entered into our awards just keeps on getting better which is true testament to the hard work and craftmanship of British cheese producers. We’re proud that an Organic cheese has been crowned Supreme Champion; Witheridge in Hay is a truly spectacular cheese that wowed the judges.”