Emmi Roth Sweeps Smear Ripened Hard Cheese Category at 2017 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest

MONROE, Wisconsin – Emmi Roth officially produces the best alpine-style cheese made in the United States. The company’s Roth brand of signature alpine-style cheeses took home all three awards in the Smear Ripened Hard Cheese category at the 2017 United States Championship Cheese Contest on Thursday, March 9 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The award for Best of Class in the category went to Roth® Grand Cru® Reserve with a score of 99.35, Second Place to Roth’s Private Reserve with a score of 99.30 and Third Place to Roth® Grand Cru® Original with a score of 99.20. Each of the cheeses are handcrafted using copper vats in Monroe, Wisconsin, and aged for different lengths of time on spruce boards in their on-site cellar.

The judging kicked off Tuesday, March 7 with a record 2,303 entries from 33 states across the country. Forty-eight judges evaluated cheese in 101 categories, with the most coming from Wisconsin.

“We’ve been making alpine-style cheeses in the United States for many, many years, and to have an achievement at this level is the greatest honor,” said Tim Omer, President and Managing Director for Emmi Roth.

Emmi Roth’s flagship line of Grand Cru® washed – rind Alpine – style cheeses includes Grand Cru® Original, Grand Cru® Reserve and Grand Cru® Surchoix. Original is aged 4-6 months, Reserve 6-9 and Surchoix a minimum of 9 months to create a firm texture and complex flavors of caramel, fruit and mushroom. The most aged cheese in the line, Roth® Grand Cru® Surchoix, is the current World Champion from the 2016 World Cheese Championship held last March.

“Our entire line of Grand Cru® is currently best in class,” said Omer. “To produce a product of the standard at every age is a testament to the skill of our cheesemakers and cellarmasters.”

Grand Cru® is available at most large grocery retailers and specialty cheese shops across the country.

“When Roth® Grand Cru® Surchoix won the World Championship last year, it was produced in smaller qualities and difficult to find,” said Omer. “Now, you can buy Grand Cru® at any age and know that it’s award-winning cheese.”

Roth’s Private Reserve, this year’s second place winner, is also an alpine-style cheese, but made using raw milk and cellar-aged for at least 6 months. Its flavor starts with a medium tanginess, then becomes sweet with honey and butterscotch notes

At the World Championship Cheese Contest this year, the company also took home Best of Class for their Roth Havarti with a score of 99.15 and a third place award in the Blue Veined Cheeses category for its Roth Buttermilk Blue with a score of 98.45.

Media Contact: Abby Despins, 608-293-1003, abby.despins@emmirothusa.com

About Emmi Roth: Emmi Roth, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Emmi Group, is a leading producer of specialty cheeses. Our expansive portfolio displays a unique marriage of cheeses from two different worlds with very similar traditions and local values – from handcrafted award-winning Roth cheeses from Wisconsin to Emmi’s full range of traditional varieties imported from Switzerland. Wisconsin brands include Roth and Kindred Creamery. Artisan cheeses imported from Switzerland feature Emmi, Kaltbach, Der Scharfe Maxx, and more. Learn more at emmirothusa.com.

Emmi Roth USA Launches New Roth® Organics Cheese Line

MONROE, Wis. —Emmi Roth USA, a leading provider of specialty cheese, is making a big impact in the specialty cheese case with its new line of Roth^® Organics. The innovative collection of four new cheeses features many award-winning Roth favorites now made using fresh, certified organic milk from local dairy farms.

The organic line features Roth’s flagship Grand Cru^® Original now available in organic, as well as Organic Van Gogh^® Gouda, Organic Havarti and Organic Sharp Cheddar. Each variety is also naturally gluten-free, Non GMO, rBST-free and vegetarian friendly.

Roth^® Organic Grand Cru^® Original – available in 18 lbs wheels and 6 oz retail cuts – is an award-winning Alpine-style cheese made from a combination of the finest organic milk and Swiss traditions. The smear-ripened cheese is crafted in authentic copper vats and cured by Roth cellar masters for a minimum of four months in order to achieve a complex and full-bodied flavor unlike any other.

Roth^® Organic Van Gogh^® Gouda – available in 10 lb wheels and 8 oz retail cuts – features Roth’s signature Van Gogh^® Gouda, a quintessential Dutch cheese with a straw-yellow body and mellow and mild sweetness.

Roth^® Organic Havarti – available in 9 lb loafs and 8 oz retail cuts – is a versatile cheese with a mild and buttery flavor, perfect for cooking and melting.

Roth^® Organic Sharp Cheddar – available in 1lb blocks and 8 oz retail cuts – is crafted from the freshest Organic milk and aged for a minimum of 6 months to develop a classic, rich and tangy flavor.

“There is a strong demand for organic products that has grown significantly over the past few years,” says Tim Omer, President and Managing Director at Emmi Roth USA. “We are fortunate to live in a part of the world where fresh, organic milk is available in our backyard. The farmers we work with follow certified organic dairy farming standards.”

Cows milked on organic dairy farms are not treated with bovine growth hormones, are not given antibiotics while in a herd, are fed grass and feed that has not been treated with pesticides or grown from genetically modified seeds, and always have access to pasture.

The new Roth^® Organics line was introduced at the Winter Fancy Food Show January 21-23 in San Francisco. Roth^® Organic Grand Cru^® Original can be found at select Whole Foods Markets. The entire line is now available to retailers nationwide and will be rolling out in specialty shops and grocery stores throughout 2017.

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About Emmi Roth USA, Inc.
Emmi Roth USA, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Emmi Group, is a leading producer of specialty cheeses. Our expansive portfolio displays a unique marriage of cheeses from two different worlds with very similar traditions and local values – from handcrafted award-winning Roth cheeses from Wisconsin to Emmi’s full range of traditional varieties imported from Switzerland. Wisconsin brands include Roth and Kindred Creamery. Artisan cheeses imported from Switzerland feature Emmi, Kaltbach, Der Scharfe Maxx, and more. Learn more at emmirothusa.com.

About Roth^®
Roth^{® cheese is made using the freshest, local Wisconsin milk. We make traditional cheeses that stem from our Swiss heritage, like Grand Cru and new, innovative Wisconsin originals such as Roth Prairie Sunset and Roth GranQueso, and everyday favorites like Buttermilk Blue, Havarti and Gouda. We have earned top awards for our cheese from national and international competitions, including the title of World Champion from the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest for Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix. Learn more at rothcheese.com.}

Press Contact
Abby Despins, Senior Public Relations Manager, 608-293-1003, abby.despins@emmirothusa.com

Emmi Roth USA Introduces Spicy Roth® Sriracha Gouda

MONROE, Wis. —Emmi Roth USA, a leading provider of specialty cheese, is giving gouda a fiery kick with their new Roth^® Sriracha Gouda. The innovative new cheese merges the mellow and mild flavor of Roth’s Dutch-style Gouda with spicy, tangy-sweet and savory Sriracha spices.

Sriracha Gouda is made with fresh milk from local Wisconsin dairy farms and cured for at least 30 days in Roth’s aging cellars in Monroe, Wisconsin. Before the curing process, Sriracha Gouda wheels are speckled with red pepper flakes and hand painted. Cheese buyers and consumers will recognize this new addition to the specialty cheese case by its striking bright red hue and chili-flecked rind.

“The bold flavor trend has been alive and well for the past few years and it’s not going away anytime soon,” says Marc Druart, head cheesemaker and Director of Research and Development at Emmi Roth USA. “We were able to infuse our signature Van Gough Gouda with a Sriracha spice mix that’s bold enough to make an impact, but the heat mellows quickly and doesn’t overpower the creamy, buttery young Gouda flavors. It’s a perfect balance of flavor and a beautiful presentation, and customers and consumers are taking notice.”

Sriracha Gouda’s sweet and spicy flavor pairs well with apple and berry ciders, rose and Sauvignon Blanc, Pale Ales and IPA’s. It’s also perfect for topping chili, tomato soup, tacos, nachos and more.

Roth^® Sriracha Gouda was introduced at the Summer Fancy Food Show in June 2-16 in New York. The product is available at retailers nationwide and will continue to become more available at specialty shops and grocery stores throughout 2017.

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About Emmi Roth USA, Inc.
Emmi Roth USA, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Emmi Group, is a leading producer of specialty cheeses. Our expansive portfolio displays a unique marriage of cheeses from two different worlds with very similar traditions and local values – from handcrafted award-winning Roth cheeses from Wisconsin to Emmi’s full range of traditional varieties imported from Switzerland. Wisconsin brands include Roth and Kindred Creamery. Artisan cheeses imported from Switzerland feature Emmi, Kaltbach, Der Scharfe Maxx, and more. Learn more at emmirothusa.com.

About Roth^®
Roth® cheese is made using the freshest, local Wisconsin milk. We make traditional cheeses that stem from our Swiss heritage, like Grand Cru and new, innovative Wisconsin originals such as Roth Prairie Sunset and Roth GranQueso, and everyday favorites like Buttermilk Blue, Havarti and Gouda. We have earned top awards for our cheese from national and international competitions, including the title of World Champion from the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest for Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix. Learn more at rothcheese.com.

Press Contact
Abby Despins, Senior Public Relations Manager, 608-293-1003, abby.despins@emmirothusa.com

Introducing Roth® Sriracha Gouda

MONROE, Wis. —Emmi Roth USA, a leading provider of specialty cheese, is giving gouda a fiery kick with their new Roth^® Sriracha Gouda. The innovative new cheese merges the mellow and mild flavor of Roth’s Dutch-style Gouda with spicy, tangy-sweet and savory Sriracha spices.

Sriracha Gouda is made with fresh milk from local Wisconsin dairy farms and cured for at least 30 days in Roth’s aging cellars in Monroe, Wisconsin. Before the curing process, Sriracha Gouda wheels are speckled with red pepper flakes and hand painted. Cheese buyers and consumers will recognize this new addition to the specialty cheese case by its striking bright red hue and chili-flecked rind.

“The bold flavor trend has been alive and well for the past few years and it’s not going away anytime soon,” says Marc Druart, head cheesemaker and Director of Research and Development at Emmi Roth USA. “We were able to infuse our signature Van Gough Gouda with a Sriracha spice mix that’s bold enough to make an impact, but the heat mellows quickly and doesn’t overpower the creamy, buttery young Gouda flavors. It’s a perfect balance of flavor and a beautiful presentation, and customers and consumers are taking notice.”

Sriracha Gouda’s sweet and spicy flavor pairs well with apple and berry ciders, rose and Sauvignon Blanc, Pale Ales and IPA’s. It’s also perfect for topping chili, tomato soup, tacos, nachos and more.

Roth^® Sriracha Gouda was introduced at the Summer Fancy Food Show in June 2-16 in New York. The product is available at retailers nationwide and will continue to become more available at specialty shops and grocery stores throughout 2017.

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About Emmi Roth USA, Inc.
Emmi Roth USA, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Emmi Group, is a leading producer of specialty cheeses. Our expansive portfolio displays a unique marriage of cheeses from two different worlds with very similar traditions and local values – from handcrafted award-winning Roth cheeses from Wisconsin to Emmi’s full range of traditional varieties imported from Switzerland. Wisconsin brands include Roth and Kindred Creamery. Artisan cheeses imported from Switzerland feature Emmi, Kaltbach, Der Scharfe Maxx, and more. Learn more at emmirothusa.com.

About Roth^®
Roth® cheese is made using the freshest, local Wisconsin milk. We make traditional cheeses that stem from our Swiss heritage, like Grand Cru and new, innovative Wisconsin originals such as Roth Prairie Sunset and Roth GranQueso, and everyday favorites like Buttermilk Blue, Havarti and Gouda. We have earned top awards for our cheese from national and international competitions, including the title of World Champion from the 2016 World Championship Cheese Contest for Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix. Learn more at rothcheese.com.

Press Contact
Abby Despins, Senior Public Relations Manager, 608-293-1003, abby.despins@emmirothusa.com

Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix Named 2016 World Champion at the World Championship Cheese Contest

March 10, 2016

MADISON, Wis. — The stage was set Wednesday night at the sold out Cheese Champion reception at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis., as the 16 finalists of the World Championship Cheese Contest awaited the announcement of the top cheese in the world. Among the display sat Roth® Grand Cru® Surchoix and with an eruption of cheers it was named the 2016 World Champion.

This marked the first time since 1988 that a cheese made in the U.S. has won the World Championship Cheese Contest. The judging portion of the contest kicked off Monday with a record 2,948 entries from 23 countries and 31 states, and Roth® Grand Cru® Surchoix earned Best of Class in the Smear Ripened Hard Cheeses category with a score of 99.8.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Tim Omer, President and Managing Director for Emmi Roth USA. “Our cheesemakers in Monroe, Platteville and Shullsburg are producing amazing cheese and I’m thrilled they are being recognized for their achievements on this level.”

The 2016 World Cheese Champion, Roth® Grand Cru® Surchoix, is a member of Emmi Roth USA’s flagship line of Grand Cru® washed – rind Alpine – style cheeses, and is the best of the best of this line. Only a few wheels of Grand Cru® meet the stringent requirements of the company’s cheesemakers to become Surchoix. This cheese is aged a minimum of nine months to create a firm texture and complex flavors of caramel, fruit and mushroom.

“We are privileged to be included in this group of exceptional cheese producers and to earn top honors among so many entries,” said Linda Duwve, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Emmi Roth USA. “Our Roth Grand Cru® line of cheeses is the pride and delight of this company. This award underscores the passion we have in creating an original Alpine – style cheese that reflects our terroir in Southern Wisconsin and is unmatched in the world.”

Emmi Roth USA was awarded two other medals during the standard rounds of judging at this year’s contest. Roth’s Private Reserve was given a second
award in the Smear Ripened Hard Cheese category with a score of 99.7; it is a raw milk cheese that has a robust, earthy flavor with a nuanced sweet and nutty finish that captures the character of the Southern Wisconsin terroir. Roth’s Private Reserve has a history of strong success, and was named Runner-Up to the Best of Show at the 2015 American Cheese Society Competition.

At the World Championship Cheese Contest this year, the company also took home a third place award in the Open Class: Pepper Flavored Cheeses, Medium Heat category for its Roth® 3 Chile Pepper Gouda with a score of 99.4. Crafted from fresh Wisconsin milk, Roth® Gouda is the quintessential Dutch-style cheese, and the chipotle, habanero and jalapeño peppers in the 3 Chile Pepper Gouda add south of the border flavor to a timeless standard.

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About Emmi Roth USA, Inc.
Emmi Roth USA, a subsidiary of Switzerland based Emmi Group, is a leading provider of specialty cheeses. The expansive portfolio includes award – winning cheeses from the United States, Switzerland and Europe, each crafted with pride from the freshest local milk. Key cheese brands include Kaltbach™ Cave-aged, Roth® Grand Cru® and Buttermilk Blue®, Best of Class winner at the 2014 World Championship Cheese Contest. Tradition and innovation balance perfectly to deliver distinctive offerings of the highest quality to the retail and foodservice trades.

Emmi Roth USA takes home six ribbons from 2016 American Cheese Society Competition

DES MOINES, Iowa – Emmi Roth USA garnered six awards at this year’s American Cheese Society’s Competition in Des Moines, Iowa, bringing the company to 11 major awards of the year.

Roth Roasted Garlic Raclette earned a first place ribbon in the International Style with Flavor Added, All Milks Category. This cow’s milk, rBST – free cheese is cured for at least six weeks and delicately roasted garlic adds robust depth and zest to this traditional Raclette.

Taking second place in the Washed Rind Cheeses, Cow’s Milk, Open Category, was the 2016 World Cheese Champion, Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix. This cheese is a member of Emmi Roth USA’s flagship line of Grand Cru® washed – rind Alpine – style cheeses, and is the best of the best of this line. Only a few wheels of Grand Cru® meet the stringent requirements of the company’s cheesemakers to become Surchoix. This cheese is aged a minimum of nine months to create a firm texture and complex flavors of caramel, fruit and mushroom.

Roth GranQueso® Reserve took second in the Hispanic & Portuguese Style Cheeses, Ripened, Aged Over 90 Days, All Milks category, continuing Emmi Roth USA’s tradition of success with this style of cheese. GranQueso® Reserve, which is carefully cured for more than 15 months, has a dense texture and sweet flavors of candied pineapple and brown butter. Additionally, Roth GranQueso® Original, inspired by the cheeses of Spain, received third place in the same category. GranQueso® Original is cellar – aged for six to eight months to create a distinctive bite and sweet finish with hints of citrus, spice and hazelnut. This win is the 13th consecutive award for this cheese in the category.

Pavino, an American original, was awarded second place in the American Made/International Style, Cow’s Milk, Open Category. Pavino is made using rB
ST – free cow’s milk from local family farms and is aged for a minimum of six months in the Roth Cellars developing a natural rind. The firm texture offers a flavor balance of nutty, sweet milk with a slight earthy depth.

A second place ribbon was awarded to Roth’s Smoked Fontina in the Smoked Cheeses, Cow’s Milk, Open Category. Roth cheesemakers smoke this cheese over hickory wood to naturally infuse a smooth, smoky flavor.

This year, 260 cheesemakers entered 1, 843 different products in the competition. A full list of award winners is available online.

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About Emmi Roth USA, Inc.
Emmi Roth USA, a subsidiary of Switzerland based Emmi Group, is a leading provider of specialty cheeses. The expansive portfolio includes award – winning cheeses from the United States, Switzerland and Europe, each crafted with pride from the freshest local milk. Tradition and innovation balance perfectly to deliver distinctive offerings of the highest quality to the retail and foodservice trades.