For Saputo USA (SUSA) and its El Cortijo® brand, the 2023 World Cheese Awards (WCA) in Trondheim, Norway, proved to be a triumphant event. The brand’s 12-month Manchego and Dorado Cow’s and Sheep’s milk cheeses were awarded for their exceptional flavor and texture, further differentiating the products in the dairy case.
“It’s very exciting to have these El Cortijo cheeses be recognized on a global stage among other prestigious U.S. and international cheesemakers, as Saputo’s Spanish cheese portfolio brings an elegant taste of rich Mediterranean flavors to consumers’ tables,” said Jenny Englert, SUSA Director of Marketing. “We’re incredibly proud of our El Cortijo Spanish cheeses and look forward to introducing refreshing new packaging for the award-winning cheeses later this year.”
These cheeses were among the 147 United States cheesemaker medals that were awarded at this year’s competition—the highest number of medals ever won by the U.S. at the WCA, according to a release.
Saputo’s El Cortijo 12-month Manchego earned a silver medal. It is an intense-tasting sheep’s milk cheese with a crumbly texture, perfect for eating alone or with a slice of bread. Complex and elegant, Manchego's flavors and fresh aromas are reminiscent of flowers, nuts, and lavender. The variety is a true D.O.P. (Denomination of Origin) regulated cheese made only from whole milk of the Manchega sheep raised in central Spain's "La Mancha" region.
El Cortijo Dorado was a bronze medal winner at the event and is an exclusive recipe developed by Spanish cheese expert Pedro Garcia Navalmoral, Quesos Navalmoral CEO and President. The Spanish cheese is made from a 50/50 mix of pasteurized cow’s and sheep’s milk collected from the La Mancha region. Using a selection of exclusive lactic cultures and matured for over six months, it has an authentically sweet, complex flavor profile and smooth texture.
In addition to earning these prestigious awards, Saputo will debut refreshed new packaging for the El Cortijo line. The new packaging will begin to roll out in cheese cases later this year, with the entire El Cortijo portfolio to transition early into the new year.
Congratulations to Saputo on these awards!
