Louis d'Or, a milky rich cheese with fine, complex flavours from Quebec, has been chosen grand champion at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix.
The fromage is made by Fromagerie du Presbytere in Sainte-Elizabeth-de-Warwick, Que.
The cheese gets its name from the Louis d'Or farm, which produces the organic milk used to make it. The name of the cheese also refers to the French currency of the same name used under the reign of Louis XIII in 1640.
Made in a 40-kilogram wheel, it also won in the firm, farmhouse and organic categories.
A seven-member jury made up of Canadian cheese experts selected the grand champion from among 17 category winners, which were also announced at Wednesday night's gala in Toronto.
"The milky richness of this cheese is a tribute to the organic milk with which it is made," said Phil Belanger, chair of the 2011 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix jury and president of the New Brunswick Chapter of La Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. "The cheese has a smooth texture, warm nutty and floral notes in aroma and taste. Inspired by the traditional cheesemaking know-how from the Jura region, the cheesemaker created an amazing cheese."
The Canadian Cheese Grand Prix, organized by Dairy Farmers of Canada, is held every two years and showcases Canadian cheese made from 100-per-cent Canadian cow's milk. More than 200 entries from across the country were submitted for consideration.
For a complete list of all category finalists and the winners, visit www.dairyfarmers.ca.
The Canadian Press