Bulla and Lion Dairy & Drinks became the Grand Champion winners of this year's Australian Grand Dairy Awards (AGDA), which were announced in Melbourne last night.
Following rigorous judging of 153 cheeses and 246 dairy products, 20 AGDA Champions were awarded, with the highest-scoring product in each category being recognised as Grand Champion – a highly sought-after accolade in the Australian dairy industry.
“It’s fantastic to see these world-class dairy products being recognised as the ‘best of the best’ from around the country," said Dairy Australia’s managing director Ian Halliday. “ Each year we see new and exciting products emerging from our producers whose innovation and vision continue to firmly place Australia on the international dairy stage.”
The 2013 panel of 21 renowned and expertly trained judges spent two days testing 399 products submitted from 84 different companies around Australia, all of which are only eligible to enter the AGDA after being awarded gold medals at highly respected state competitions. Products were judged according to flavour and aroma, body and texture, and colour and appearance.
The 2013 AGDA Grand Champion Winners:
2013 Grand Champion Cheese - Tasmanian Heritage St Claire, Lion Dairy & Drinks (Tas)
2013 Grand Champion Dairy Product - Bulla Premium Sour Cream, Bulla Dairy Foods (Vic)
The 2013 AGDA Champion Cheese Winners:
Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese - Cuore Blu Burrata, That’s Amore Cheese (Vic)
Champion White Mould Cheese - Old Telegraph Road Brie, Jindi Cheese (Vic)
Champion Semi-Hard and Eye Cheese - Tasmanian Heritage St Claire, Lion Dairy & Drinks (Tas)
Champion Cheddar-Style Cheese - Pyengana Cheddar, Pyengana Dairy (Tas)
Champion Hard Cheese - Mil Lel Superior Parmesan, Lion Dairy & Drinks (Simpson, Vic)
Champion Blue Cheese - Old Telegraph Road Heritage Blue, Jindi Cheese (Vic)
Champion Washed Rind Cheese - Jindi Reserve Washed Rind, Jindi Cheese (Vic)
Champion Flavoured Cheese - Mil Lel Superior Pepato, Lion Dairy & Drinks (Simpson, Vic)
Champion Goat’s or Sheep’s Milk Cheese - Red Hill Mountain Goat Blue, Red Hill Cheese (Vic)
The 2013 AGDA Champion Dairy Winners:
Champion Natural Yogurt - Jalna Greek Natural Yoghourt, Jalna Dairy Foods (Vic)
Champion Flavoured Yogurt - Brancourts Premium Dessert Mango Yoghurt, Brancourts Pty Ltd (NSW)
Champion Ice Cream - Dooley’s Licorice Ice Cream, Dooley’s Ice Cream (Vic)
Champion Dairy Gelato - Cow and the Moon Pistachio Gelato, Cow and the Moon (NSW)
Champion Dairy Dessert - King Island Dairy Belgian Chocolate Créme Dessert, Lion Dairy & Drinks (King Island, Tas)
Champion Milk - Sungold Jersey Milk, Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory (Vic)
Champion Specialty White Dairy Drink - Norco Hi Lo, Norco Foods (Labrador, Qld)
Champion Flavoured Dairy Drink - Oak Egg Nog, Parmalat (Clarence Gardens, SA)
Champion Cream - Bulla Premium Sour Cream, Bulla Dairy Foods (Vic)
Champion Butter or Butter Blend - Western Star Original Butter, Fonterra Brands (Aust) Pty Ltd (Vic)
Champion Dairy Dip - Paradise Beach Pesto Swirl Dip, Paradise Beach Purveyors Pty Ltd (NSW)
