Champion cheese chosen
Switzerland's very best cheese comes from western Switzerland and is a gruyere, an international jury of experts decided on Friday.
The jury at the Swiss Cheese Awards 2008 chose the gruyere made by Jean-Louis Roch of the village of Charmey from the milk of cows grazing in the mountain pasture of La Théraulaz.
“If nine foreigners from seven countries around the world, and nine Swiss from five cantons decide on the Swiss champion, that really must be the best cheese,” said Anton Schmutz, director of Fromarte, the organisation that arranges the competition.
The best cheeses in 23 different categories were given awards as part of the Cheese Days which started on Thursday in Unterwassen in eastern Switzerland.
Forty cheesemakers are presenting their specialities at the event, which runs until Sunday. Members of the public have the chance to taste and buy.
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