Cheese of excellence in the canton of Neuchatel
The prize for the Neuchâtel Le Gruyère AOP of the year has been awarded to Adrien Pagnier of the Duo-Vallon/Les Bayards cheese dairy.
Congratulations to the cheesemaker Adrien Pagnier and to the president of the milk producers' association Jean-Pierre Gfeller as well as to all the producers.
The Neuchâtel Chamber of Agriculture and Viticulture (CNAV), in collaboration with the Interprofession du Gruyère (IPG) and Neuchâtel Vins et Terroir (NVT), organised the fourth selection of the Neuchâtel Gruyère AOP today. A jury made up of journalists, politicians and gastronomes made their choice from a selection of cheeses having scored more than 19 points out of 20 over the entire year 2020.
Le Gruyère AOP from Neuchâtel
Historically, Le Gruyère AOP owes its name to the Gruyère region in the canton of Fribourg (Switzerland). However, its terroir of origin includes the cantons of Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura as well as some communes in the canton of Bern.
For the canton of Neuchâtel, Le Gruyère AOP is a flagship product of our agriculture with added value at all levels. Indeed, the producers deliver quality milk twice a day thanks to the hay, which is then processed by 15 cheesemakers in accordance with strict specifications. The designation of origin guarantees that all production phases take place in the same region, thereby allowing the professionals concerned to protect their particularities, notably through artisanal and regional know-how.
11 cheeses for 10 cheese dairies
Eleven farmers and cheesemakers from La Sagne, Bémont, La Brévine, Les Chaux, Les Ponts-de-Martel, Chézard-Saint-Martin, La Joux du Plâne, Les Monts de Travers, Les Sagnettes and Les Bayards were nominated for the selection.
For the second time in four years, the Duo-Vallon cheese dairy in Les Bayards won the prize for the best Neuchâtel Gruyère. This milk production company is chaired by Mr. Jean-Pierre Gfeller, while Mr. Adrien Pagnier is responsible for the cheese production.
The selection of Le Gruyère AOP from Neuchâtel
On the one hand, this fourth selection is part of a long-term vision to promote our cheese, and on the other hand to communicate the superior quality of our product due to the characteristics of our terrain, which provides a rich flora to feed the cattle. Thus, the CNAV, in collaboration with the Interprofession du Gruyère AOP and Neuchâtel Vins et Terroir, will enable the producers and the cheesemaker to be highlighted for one year by the canton's promotional organisation.
