2016 Australian Grand Dairy Awards

Gastrology recently joined Dairy Australia to celebrate Australian dairy producers and particularly the winners of the 2016 Australian Grand Dairy Awards by indulging in a selection of award winning cheeses washed down with Australian wine with loved ones at home.

Now in its 17th year, the Australian Grand Dairy Awards is the grand final of dairy competitions in Australia, recognising and rewarding excellence and quality in Australian dairy produce.

More than 300 of Australia’s top dairy products - from milk, cream and butter to yoghurt, ice cream and loads of cheese - were put through a rigorous judging process, assessed by 24 expert judges on flavour, aroma, texture, body and appearance. From small family-owned producers through to favourite supermarket brands, dairy products from across the spectrum are represented.  

We absolutely adored the Grand Champion cheese, Heidi Farm Gruyere. A semi hardWorld Class Cheese, this was superb with a distinct pliable texture typical of the style and boasting a subtle flavour with pleasant extended sweet and nutty mid palate flavours.

We also indulged in a couple of other cheese Champions.

The King Island Dairy Stormy exhibited a gorgeous pungent aroma while having a balanced delicate flavour profile that makes for a cheese you just want to come back to.

The Flinders Estate Ashed Brie on the other hand was perfectly ripe and gooey in texture and boasted a fine rind making it one to be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Find out more on the Dairy Australia website and The Dairy Kitchen Facebook page.

Upcoming event: Cheese Please – An Urban Twilight Cheese Festival – 19 Feb

For the very first time the Australian Grand Dairy Awards are now hosting a consumer event to coincide with the formal Awards evening. Check out the ‘Cheese Please’ registration page, for more information.