Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese Explained
Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese is a range of handmade cow's milk cheese made in Arklow, County Wicklow ranging from Brie cheeses to Cheddar cheese. A range of cheese are produced varying from fresh soft cheese to a Gouda style hard cheese.[1]
History
Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese was set up in 2005 by John Hempenstall as a way of supplementing farm income. The cheese is made exclusively from the milk of the Hempenstall's Friesian cows and each cheese is handmade on the farm. [2]
Products
Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese produce a number of cow's milk cheeses:
- Wicklow Blue is a blue veined brie cheese using pasteurised cows milk and vegetarian rennet.
- Wicklow Bán is a brie cheese
- Wicklow Gold is a cheddar cheese made using pasteurised cows milk. Several flavoured varieties are also produced such as "Nettle and Chive" and "Basil and Garlic".
- St. Kevins Brie is produced for the catering industry
Awards
Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese has won numerous awards.[3]
- 2013 Global Cheese Awards awarded medals in different categories including a Gold medal for Wicklow Bán, a Silver medal for Wicklow Blue and a Bronze medal for Wicklow Blue.[4]
- 2014 Nantwich Cheese Show awarded the trophy for best vegetarian cheese to Wicklow Blue[5]
Notes and References
- http://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/news/come-and-see-how-the-cheese-is-made-30169527.html Irish Independent article on Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese
- http://www.wicklowfarmhousecheese.ie/index.php/about Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese official website
- http://www.wicklowfarmhousecheese.ie/index.php/awards Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese Awards
- http://www.internationalcheeseawards.co.uk/files/class-results-2013.pdf International Cheese Awards 2013
- http://www.farmersjournal.ie/wicklow-blue-wins-international-award-162787 Nantwich Cheese Award for Wicklow Blue