Judges described the Le Gruyère AOP surchoix, entered by Swiss cheesemaker Vorderfultigen and affineur (refiner) Gourmino, as a "really refined, hand-crafted cheese" that melts on the tongue and has notes of herbs, fruits and leather. "A cheese with a lot of taste and bouquet." A matured cheese, the gruyère is slightly crumbly and made from raw cow's milk.