A classic Le Gruyère AOP from Switzerland has been named the world’s best cheese at the 37th World Cheese Awards (WCA), held this year in Bern.

The winners were announced on 13 November, with the top prize chosen from a record-breaking 5,244 cheeses entered from 46 countries.

The World Champion title went to the 18-month matured Gruyère AOP Vorderfultigen Spezial from Bergkäserei Vorderfultigen. Judges highlighted its crystalline texture and “brothy, umami” flavour.

Cheesemaker and Bergkäserei Vorderfultigen director Pius Hitz accepted the award in person.

• It is a tremendous honour and recognition of our work – seven days a week, all year round. The cheese stays with us for nearly 20 months, so the whole team can be proud. Now we just must decide how to celebrate, he said.

This year marked the first time the World Cheese Awards were hosted in Switzerland – a fitting location for the world’s largest cheese competition, which draws entries from both major dairies and small artisan producers across six continents.

A new addition to the event was the Es La Leche award, celebrating the importance of top-quality milk and the producers behind it. The inaugural prize was awarded to Ricardo Outeiro and Xesús Mazaira Varela of Airas Moniz for their commitment to sustainable farming and exceptional milk quality.

In Spanish, “Es la leche” literally means “It’s the milk” but is used colloquially to mean “It’s fantastic”. The award will now become a permanent part of the World Cheese Awards.

Read more about the World Cheese Awards 2025 HERE
Photo: WCA, Guild of Fine Food (KARGO Kommunikation)
LMW