GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – Roth® Cheese, Wisconsin makers of award-winning specialty cheese, took home three awards this week at the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Best of Class, Washed Rind/Smear Ripened Hard Cheeses
Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix Wheel received a score of 99.625. This World Champion cheese is handmade in traditional copper vats and aged in the Roth cellars under the careful watch of our cellarmasters. This washed-rind Alpine-style cheese is aged a minimum of 9 months to create a firm texture and complex flavors of caramel, fruit, and mushroom.
Silver Award, Washed Rind/Smear Ripened Hard Cheeses
Roth Grand Cru® Reserve Wheel received a score of 99.6. These wheels are hand-selected to age at least six months in the Roth cellars, Grand Cru® Reserve is highly awarded for its bold, savory taste and signature flavor. Its optimal flavor makes this cheese ideal for cheeseboards and entertaining.
Silver Award, Cheese Based Spreads
Roth Jalapeño Havarti Cheese Dip & Spread received a score of 99.33. This snacking innovation has been a consumer favorite since it was introduced in 2024. It is made with creamy award-winning Roth Jalapeño Havarti and pieces of real pickled jalapeños, offering the ideal balance of spice.
“We are deeply proud to be recognized with three awards at this year’s competition, including the prestigious Best of Class award for our Roth Grand Cru® Surchoix and a silver award for our Grand Cru® Reserve,” said Tim Omer, President and Managing Director of Emmi Roth. “These accolades speak to the enduring legacy of Roth Grand Cru® cheeses—a testament to generations of traditional cheesemaking, passion and dedication. It is the tireless commitment of our talented team and their unwavering pursuit of excellence that allows us to craft cheeses that not only stand out in competitions but also continue to delight consumers.”
Those looking to try these award-winning cheeses are encouraged to visit rothcheese.com for a store locator, food pairings, recipes and more.
The United States Championship Cheese Contest, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, is now the nation’s largest biannual technical cheese, butter and yogurt competition. This year’s contest had 2,414 entries in 117 classes from 31 states.
About Roth®
Roth® Cheese is part of Emmi Roth, the U.S. subsidiary of Switzerland-based Emmi Group and a leading producer of specialty cheeses. Roth has earned top awards 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.
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Media Contact: Kaya Freiman, kaya.freiman@emmiroth.com