Five of the best: Cheeses

Meyer Vintage Gouda. Photo / Supplied

Add the winners of the Cuisine NZ Champion of Cheeses Award to your cheese board.

1. Meyer Vintage Gouda

Winner of the Yealands Estate Champion of Champions Award for large cheesemakers, this high quality gouda has subtle fruit-driven flavours and savoury overtones, with judges saying it is a stunning example of a Dutch style cheese.

2. Very Old Edam - Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese

The Cuisine Champion Artisan for smaller producers (and cheesemaker Jacob Rosevear won the cheesemaker award too). Judges said it is a prime example of a beautifully crafted Dutch cheese with intense tropical fruit flavour and the lingering, clean aftertaste combine with the light crunchy crystals to create an absolute taste delight.

3. Buffalo Mozzarella - Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company

The winner of the fresh unripened category, this is a sweet, milky mouthful of mozzarella with a delicate, fine "angel hair" texture.

4. Brinza - Gibbston Valley Cheese

A good traditional crumbly textured feta with a good acid finish and perfect salt balance.

5. Galactic Gold - Over the Moon Dairy Company

This slightly drier than usual washed rind cheese won its category with its smooth creamy texture and a good balance of earthy and "cooked brassica" flavours. Over the Moon's Cumerino also won the sheep's cheese gong.