The AMPANS foundation cheeses have been awarded among more than 1,600 references from all over the world, judged by a jury of 250 experts.
Formatges Muntanyola has once again achieved the recognition of the sector in France, with two cheeses, the Garrotxa and the Vell Reserva goat cheese, in the World Competition held in the French town of Tours. With a jury made up of 250 experts, the cheeses produced by the AMPANS foundation won two bronze medals out of more than 1,600 references presented from all over the world.
The Garrtoxa won the bronze medal in the category of goat’s cheese with a flowery rind, and the Vell Reserva won another bronze in the category of matured goat’s cheese.
Garrotxa de Muntanyola, which won gold at the World Cheese Awards last year, is a semi-cured goat’s cheese with a slow ripening process, a rustic, mouldy rind and a fresh milk aroma and creamy texture.
The Vell Reserva, also awarded this year at one of Spain’s leading cheese competitions, the Gourmet Quesos, held last April in Madrid, has a long maturation period and a fine, rustic rind that gives it a subtle aroma.
Both cheeses are made from goat’s milk from Formatges Muntanyola’s own herd at the Urpina farm in Sant Salvador de Guardiola (Bages).
For Anna Prado, head of Muntanyola Cheeses, these new awards are “the result of the efforts of a whole team immersed in this social project that began almost ten years ago. A recognition of a job well done and proof that a social project like Formatges Muntanyola is viable, working on artisanal production while maintaining quality standards”.
The jury for these awards is headed by Stéphane Layani, president of the Rungis International Market, one of the most prestigious food markets in France. Organised in partnership with the International Cheesemakers’ Guild, the ‘Mondial du fromage‘ competition is one of the most eagerly awaited by professionals in the sector.
These new Formatges Muntanyola awards are in addition to other prizes in which the company has been recognised in some of the main international, national and national competitions, such as the World Cheese Awards, Lactium (Vic), Concours International (Lyon), Gourmet Quesos (Madrid) and Talento del Queso (Oviedo).