A Norweigan blue cheese outcompeted thousands of cheeses from around the world to earn the title of World Champion Cheese at this year’s World Cheese Awards (WCA).

This renowned international cheese competition, which had its inaugural run in 1988, was held in Trondheim, Norway on October 27th.

The winning cheese, Nidelven Blå, is made by husband-and-wife Ole and Maren Gangstadt at Gangstadt Gårdsysteri. This marks the third victory for Nidelven Blå at the World Cheese Awards—which was named Best Norwegian Cheese in 2019, and won a Super Gold in 2020.

The soft, blue farmhouse cheese is already the cheesemaker’s best-seller, and with this new accolade, it’s sure to become even more popular.

Maren Gangstadt, general manager of Gangstadt Gårdsysteri, told the Guild of Fine Foods that being in their home country made the award even more special. “This happening on our home turf means a lot, and having all of the crew from the dairy here just adds an extra spark to it,” said Gangstadt.

Finbar Deery of Sheridans Cheesemongers in Ireland told the Guild of Fine Foods he “absolutely loved” the winning cheese. “It’s not getting barrelled over by the penicillin, there’s something else going on,” he said.

“The texture was the first thing that hit home. It has this short creaminess and a real dense fudginess,” Deery added, noting that the bitterness was perfectly balanced. “We don’t appreciate bitterness in cheese—but when you have such a rich texture, the bitterness comes through and it keeps the whole show on the road.”

Over the years, the competition has become the most prestigious award a cheese can win. This year saw a record number of cheeses entered—4,502, from 43 countries—judged by an international panel of 264 judges from 38 countries.

The judging process is broken down into two phases. During the first, judges score cheeses on taste, aroma, flavor, and texture, to determine whether they are worthy of a bronze, silver, or gold medal, with each judging table selecting one as a “Super Gold.”

“What we ask them to do, quite simply, is to assess the visual aspects of the cheese and then the aroma of the cheese,” said John Farrand, managing director of the World Cheese Awards, in an interview with CNN Travel.

In the second phase, a super jury of 16 experts—including longstanding WCA judge Cathy Strange of Whole Foods Market and Georgina Yescas, CEO at artisanal Mexican cheese retail & wholesale operation Lactography—tasted the 100 Super Gold cheeses, each selecting their favorite for a final round of judging.

Among these top 16 cheeses (listed below), three were from Italy, two the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany, and one cheese from India, Austria, Belgium, and Norway.

Out of 100 Super Golds awarded, seven were from creameries in the United States (listed below). The US had a total of 147 winners, including 7 Super Gold, 22 Gold, 41 Silver and 77 Bronze awards.

Click here to see all of the 2023 World Cheese Awards winners.

The Top 16 Cheeses

(In order of score)

1. Nidelven Blå | Gangstad Gårdsysteri | Norway
2. Baliehof Houtlandse Asche kaas | Baliehof Kaas en Zuivelboerderij Jabbeke | Belgium
3. Eberle würzig seit 5 Generationen | Dorfkäserei Muolen | Switzerland
4. Eleftheria Brunost | Vivanda Gourmet | India
5. Müller-Thurgau Rezent | Käserei Müller-Thurgau | Switzerland
6. Kärntnermilch Mölltaler Almkäse Selektion 50% FiT | Kärntnermilch | Austria
7. Michel | Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz | Germany
8. Holland Delta, 1 Year Old | Van der Heiden Kaas | Netherlands
9. Old Amsterdam Goat | Westland Kaasexport | Netherlands
10. Parmigiano Reggiano 30-39 Months | Nazionale Parmigiano Reggiano Rastelli Fratelli | Italy
11. Deichkäse Gold | Rohmilchkäserei Backensholz | Germany
12. Sinodun Hill | Norton and Yarrow Cheese | United Kingdom
13. Goustal La Bergere | Société des Caves | France
14. Pirano | La Bufalara | Italy
15. Lamucca di Castagno | Romagna Terre | Italy
16. Wigmore | Village Maid Cheese | United Kingdom

Super Golds from the United States

(In no particular order)

1. Appalachian | Meadow Creek Dairy
2. Humble | Parish Hill Creamery
3. Harbison | Cellars at Jasper Hill (Awarded the trophy for Best American Cheese)
4. Leelanau | leelanau cheese
5. Idyll | Parish Hill Creamery
6. 1916 | Wegmans
7. Hudson Flower | Murray’s Cheese

Golds from the United States

(In no particular order)

1. Griffin | Sweet Grass Dairy
2. Batch #17 | The Farm at Doe Run
3. Wagon Wheel | Cowgirl Creamery
4. Leelanau Reserve | leelanau cheese
5. SheepSheep | Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
6. Mt. Alice | Von Trapp Farmstead
7. Marieke Gouda Hatch Pepper | Marieke Gouda
8. Tillamook Maker’s Reserve 2012 Extra Sharp White Cheddar | Tillamook
9. The Stag | Deer Creek
10. Sartori Reserve Espresso BellaVitano | Sartori
11. Double Doe | Murray’s Cheese
12. Everton | Jacobs and Brichford Farmstead Cheese
13. Lioni Bufala Fresca | Lioni Latticini
14. Truffle Shuffle | Wegmans
15. JQ | Jacobs and Brichford Farmstead Cheese
16. Lucky Linda Clothbound Cheddar | Redhead Creamery
17. Wild Blueberry, Lemon, and Thyme Goat Cheese | Vermont Creamery
18. Bayley Hazen Blue | Cellars at Jasper Hill
19. Honey Truffle Goat Cheese | Vermont Creamery
20. Willoughby | Cellars at Jasper Hill
21. Hickory on the Hill | The Farm at Doe Run
22. Breakstone’s 4% Large Curd Cottage Cheese | Lactalis Heritage Dairy

Silvers from the United States

(In no particular order)

1. St Albans | Vermont Creamery
2. Intergalactic | Perrystead Dairy
3. Ricotta Cheese | Lactalis American Group – Buffalo
4. Brick Spread with Jalapenos | Widmers Cheese Cellars
5. Marieke Gouda Smoked | Marieke Gouda
6. Creme Fraiche | Vermont Creamery
7. Atlantis | Perrystead Dairy
8. Belle Chevre Spreadable Goat Cheese | Belle Chevre
9. Idyll Pastures | Idyll Farms
10. Four Peppercorn Fresh Goat Cheese | Laura Chenel
11. Hop Along | Cowgirl Creamery
12. Blue Spruce Blue | Carr Valley Cheese
13. Green Hill | Sweet Grass Dairy
14. Idyll Pastures Fennel Pollen | Idyll Farms
15. Petit Ash | Marin French Cheese Co.
16. Humboldt Fog | Cypress Grove
17. Apple Smoked Cheddar | Carr Valley Cheese
18. Asher Blue | Sweet Grass Dairy
19. Spreadable Idyll Pastures | Idyll Farms
20. Lioni Ricotta Di Bufala | Lioni Latticini
21. Red Butte Hatch Chile | Beehive Cheese Company
22. St. Anthony | Redhead Creamery
23. Cello Mascarpone | Schuman Cheese
24. Stockinghall | Murray’s Cheese
25. Caveman Blue Cheese | Rogue Creamery
26. Greensward | Murray’s Cheese
27. Bluehorn Blue Cheese | Rogue Creamery
28. The Wild Boar | Deer Creek
29. Mature block cheddar 3+ Year | Pineland Farms
30. Marieke Gouda Overjarige | Marieke Gouda
31. Bonne Bouche | Vermont Creamery
32. Reserve Touvelle | Rogue Creamery
33. 1976 Reserve Gouda | Pleasant Lane Farms Creamery
34. Vault 5 Cave Aged | Cellars at Jasper Hill
35. Tillamook Maker’s Reserve 2020 Extra Sharp White Cheddar | Tillamook
36. Marieke Gouda Super 18-24 months | Marieke Gouda
37. Coupole | Vermont Creamery
38. Real Philly Schmear | Perrystead Dairy
39. Bella Gento Mascarpone | Lactalis American Group – Nampa
40. Tillamook Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar | Tillamook
41. Marieke Gouda 9-12 months | Marieke Gouda

Bronzes from the United States

(In no particular order)

1. Oregon Blue | Rogue Creamery
2. Anabasque | Landmark Creamery
3. The Fawn | Deer Creek
4. Marieke Gouda Reserve | Marieke Gouda
5. Smoked Marisa | Carr Valley Cheese
6. Idyll Pastures with Garlic and herbs | Idyll Farms
7. Loveneh | Merion Park Cheese Company
8. Mascarpone | Vermont Creamery
9. Ricotta Cheese | Lactalis American Group – Buffalo
10. Smokey Blue | Rogue Creamery
11. Garlic & Chive Fresh Goat Cheese | Laura Chenel
12. The Indigo Bunting | Deer Creek
13. Marieke Gouda Mature 6-9 months | Marieke Gouda
14. Ba Ba Blue | Carr Valley Cheese
15. Jack’s Blue | Parish Hill Creamery
16. Little Hosmer | Cellars at Jasper Hill
17. Mt Tam | Cowgirl Creamery
18. Ricotta Cheese | Lactalis American Group – Buffalo
19. Cheese Is Love Cheddar | Rogue Creamery
20. Original Fresh Goat Cheese Log | Laura Chenel
21. 7 Year Proprietor’s Grand Reserve Specialty Cheddar | Deer Creek
22. Marieke Gouda Belegen 4-6 months | Marieke Gouda
23. St. Malachi | The Farm at Doe Run
24. Snow White Goat Cheddar | Carr Valley Cheese
25. Vermont Herdsman | Parish Hill Creamery
26. Merry Goat Round | FireFly Farms
27. MATTERHORN ALPINE CHEDDAR | Widmers Cheese Cellars
28. Herbed Pressed Ricotta | Crooked Face Creamery
29. Supreme Brie | Savencia Cheese USA
30. Black Truffle Marinated Goat Cheese | Laura Chenel
31. Runnymede | The Farm at Doe Run
32. Street Ched – Clothbound Cheddar Aged | Urban Stead Cheese Co.
33. Marieke Gouda Young 2-4 months | Marieke Gouda
34. St. Malachi Reserve | The Farm at Doe Run
35. Gouda | Hoard’s Dairymen Farm Creamery
36. Carpenter’s Wheel | Murray’s Cheese
37. MountainTop | FireFly Farms
38. Mad River Blue Cheese Cheese | Von Trapp Farmstead
39. Marinated Ciliegine | Belfiore Cheese
40. Golden Gate | Marin French Cheese Co.
41. Fog Lights | Cypress Grove
42. Asher Blue Reserve | Sweet Grass Dairy
43. Aged Gouda | Urban Stead Cheese Co.
44. Marieke Gouda Truffle | Marieke Gouda
45. Hummingbird | The Farm at Doe Run
46. Reading | Spring Brook Farm Cheese
47. Annelies | Murray’s Cheese
48. Marinated Fresh Mozzarella | Lactalis American Group – Nampa
49. Petite Crème | Marin French Cheese Co.
50. Seahive | Beehive Cheese Company
51. Sartori Old World Cheddar | Sartori
52. Sartori Reserve Garlic and Herb BellaVitano | Sartori
53. Petite Supreme | Marin French Cheese Co.
54. Big John’s Cajun | Beehive Cheese Company
55. Lake Country Dairy Cheese | Schuman Cheese
56. Treehug | Perrystead Dairy
57. Sartori Reserve Tomato Basil BellaVitano | Sartori
58. Tillamook Maker’s Reserve 2016 Extra Sharp White Cheddar | Tillamook
59. Couturier Goat Cheese Crumble Plain | Hudson Valley Creamery
60. Cremont | Vermont Creamery
61. Hootenanny | Goat Rodeo
62. Queen Bee Porcini | Beehive Cheese Company
63. Cello Extra Aged Copper Kettle Cheese | Schuman Cheese
64. Everton Premium Reserve | Jacobs and Brichford Farmstead Cheese
65. Marieke Gouda Smoked Cumin | Marieke
66. Flagsheep | Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
67. Tarentaise Reserve | Spring Brook Farm Cheese
68. Herb Goat Cheese | Vermont Creamery
69. Wild Rosemary | Goat Rodeo
70. Thomasville Tomme | Sweet Grass Dairy
71. Quark | Pleasant Lane Farms Creamery
72. Marieke Golden Overjarige | Marieke Gouda
73. Black Swallowtail | The Farm at Doe Run
74. Tarentaise | Spring Brook Farm Cheese
75. Professor’s brie | Wegman’s
76. Bamboozle | Goat Rodeo
77. White Cheese in Brine 1 month | Belfiore Cheese

Josie Krogh

Josie Krogh is culture's Digital Strategy Lead. She earned her master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics from The University of Georgia. Josie developed a love of food while working at farmstands in the D.C. area as a young adult, and discovered her love of cheese while living and working on a dairy farm on Martha's Vineyard. She is passionate about the food supply chain, fresh stone fruit, and dogs. Josie currently lives in Catskill, NY.