Dutch Vermeer cheese wins 2012 Cheese World Championship

A Dutch cheesemaker's Vermeer cheese has been named as the world's best cheese overtaking 2500 rivals.

The contest, held every two years in Madison, Wisconsin. It typically draws more than 2,000 entries from nearly two-dozen nations. Usually only the judges taste the cheese, but this year's ticketholders sampled 15 of the top entries while they mingled with Wisconsin cheesemakers and the international panel of judges.

The spectators witnessed a mild upset in the judging. Swiss cheesemakers had won the past three contests, and comprised two of the top three finalists this year. But it was a low-fat Gouda named Vermeer from Friesland Campina, a company based in Wolvega, Netherlands, that took top honours.  (MTI)