‘We had a hard time believing it when we received the certificates stating that three of our cheeses had won gold medals,’ says manager Louis-Philippe Deweer. “One of the certificates also said “World’s best cheese”. But we weren’t sure whether our cheese had actually been chosen as the best cheese in the competition or simply as the best Belgian cheese. My brother decided to call and ask. And it turned out that our cheese had indeed been chosen as the best cheese in the world.”
A wonderful recognition in the ‘Land of a Thousand Cheeses’
The Deweer family has won many prestigious awards in recent years. In November, they won eight medals at the World Cheese Awards in Switzerland, including two gold medals. But this award is very special.
‘This is a wonderful recognition because the Concours de Lyon is arguably the most important cheese competition in France. To win the prize for the best cheese in the ‘Land of a Thousand Cheeses’ is quite special, especially when you consider that the French are quite chauvinistic. I don’t know how long it has been since a score of 100 out of 100 was awarded, but that is also quite unique.’
100 out of 100 for taste, texture and aroma
‘The jury assesses the cheese using a diagram. Points are awarded for taste, texture, appearance and aroma, with a total score of 100. We achieved the maximum score for each criterion.’
The Ancienne Belgique is an aged cheese that needs to mature for 10 months. ‘This means that the flavour is slightly spicier. But it still has a certain creaminess. There is also a slight crystallisation, which gives it a pleasant crunch in the mouth.’
Not yet available for purchase
Punters who wish to sample the cheese will have to be patient, as it is not yet available for purchase. ‘We will be launching the cheese later this month during the festive season. Next year, the cheese will be available in several shops. We will allow this recognition to sink in for a while and then consider how to proceed. However, we will certainly be raising a glass to celebrate!’
Dining and Cooking