Croatian Cheeses on World Cheese Awards

World Cheese Awards

The World Cheese Awards is one of the most prestigious and influential international competitions dedicated to cheese, bringing together producers, experts, and enthusiasts from around the globe each year. Hosting this renowned event in Bern in November 2025 further emphasised its international character and highlighted Switzerland’s importance as a country with a strong cheese-making tradition, knowledge, and quality. Thousands of cheeses from dozens of countries were presented in the Swiss capital, evaluated by an international jury composed of affineurs, cheesemongers, traders, and gastronomes, who assessed flavour, texture, aroma, and technical excellence. Bern proved to be an ideal host: a city where tradition meets modernity, much like the competition itself, where centuries-old recipes compete alongside innovative approaches to cheese production. This year, Croatia once again received several prestigious awards for its highly regarded cheeses, with two cheeses winning gold—one from Pag and one from Istria.

Sirana Gligora

The gold award was claimed by the extra-aged Paški sir (ZOI) from Gligora Dairy. Made from 100% milk of the Pag sheep on the island of Pag, it is arguably the most famous Croatian cheese. Each year, the finest Paški sir is set aside at Gligora for extended maturation of either twelve months (12) or twenty-four months (24). Depending on the season and the volume of milk procured, the quantities left for further ageing vary. This cheese is carefully maintained, turned, and oiled, receiving meticulous attention throughout the process. During maturation, it can lose up to a third of its weight, but the result is a firmer texture with a stronger, sharper, and more pronounced flavour. At the dairy, it is recommended to serve it with premium Lun olive oil, homemade onions, and warm bread. For wine pairings, a Paški Gegić or, for lovers of red wine, a light Plavac is suggested.

Vesna Loborika

The hard cow’s milk cheese Rici from the Istrian Vesna Loborika dairy was also awarded gold. It has a moderate aroma with a rich, lingering flavour. The cheese is named after the founder’s great-grandfather, who passed down this traditional recipe dating from the early 1900s. A twelve-month maturation produces a cheese of moderate hardness that pairs exceptionally well with meat platters and light red wines. Much of Vesna Loborika’s philosophy is based on a connected, local economy. “If you want a community to function, you can’t go beyond five towns,” notes Fuma, emphasising the importance of collaboration with local suppliers. The milk comes from family farms within a 30-kilometre radius, and the same applies to goats and cows, maintaining a sustainable production model and short supply chain that benefits both producers and consumers.

Both dairies also received a number of other notable awards. Here is the list of silver and bronze awards for Croatian cheeses:

Silver:

Goat Truffle – Gligora Dairy

Liburjan – Gligora Dairy

Mixed – Vesna Loborika

President Gouda Selection 4 months – Dukat

Bronze:

Gran Istriano – Agrolaguna

Hard Cow’s Milk Cheese Bovidur 280g – Vindija

Istrian Mixed Cheese – Agrolaguna

Smoked Goat Cheese – Gligora Dairy

Smoked Likotin – Gligora Dairy

Paški Sir – Gligora Dairy

Velebjan – Gligora Dairy

Vesna’s Sheep Cheese – Vesna Loborika