The Ossau-Iraty made from raw milk by Agour was honored at the recent 2024 World Cheese Awards, held on November 15, 2024, in Viseu, Portugal. It stood out among 4,786 competing cheeses from 47 countries, earning the title of Best French Cheese and the prestigious Super Gold medal.
The cheeses were evaluated by a panel of 240 international experts from 30 countries around the globe. This is not the first time Agour cheeses have excelled on the global stage. Its counterpart, the Ossau-Iraty made with pasteurized milk by Agour, has twice been crowned World’s Best Cheese at this same competition (in 2006 in London and 2011 in Birmingham).
In 2018, it was awarded 2nd Best Cheese in the World and Best French Cheese. In 2016, the World Cheese Awards also hosted a showdown between all the champions from previous editions. Agour claimed the second spot on the podium in the Champions of History competition.
The Ossau-Iraty by Agour is also highly acclaimed in prestigious French competitions, such as the Concours Général Agricole in Paris, where it won the Gold Medal in the most recent 2024 edition.
As a press release explained, the consistency of these awards underscores the excellence of the entire Agour cheese-making team, starting with the shepherds, as well as the cheesemakers and affineurs. This daily dedication enables the last independent, family-owned cheesemaking facility in the Basque Country to share its expertise worldwide.
Agour proudly serves prestigious clients, including cheesemongers, restaurateurs, and gourmet retailers.
Congratulations to the cheesemaker on this exciting win!
