Late Friday night, a victor was crowned in what turned out to be one of the most memorable Savory 16 competitions in the tournament's history. Each and every year the Savory 16 seems to grow in its popularity and this year was no exception. Led by some fabulous rookie performances by Capradoro, Epoisses and Cotswold along with some exceptional showings by perennial favorites Parmigiano Reggiano and Royal Blue Stilton this tournament had it all. However, the final between Crater Lake Blue and Gruyere de Comte was truly one for the ages.

Crater Lake Blue, as is it's nature, came out strong from the opening tasting, determined to get a grip on the judges' palates and not let go. This bull dog like intensity got Crater Lake Blue off to a comfortable lead but Comte stormed back into contention as its flavor was on point, its fondues' smooth and rich, and its dumpling fillings' divine. Crater Lake Blue responded in the kitchen, thrilling fans with a blue-cheese and walnut brulée, and a garlic and blue-cheese stuffed pork tenderloin. As the evening wore on, and the wine began to flow, Comte's rich, nutty flavor proved an excellent match for Gewertztraminer. Crater Lake Blue, when paired with its longstanding partner, Petit Syrah, took its flavor to a whole new level as it left judges and fans in a frenzy. In the end, Comte's consistency was just no match for the explosiveness of Crater Lake Blue, this year's Savory Sixteen champion!

Coach for Crater Lake Blue and Rogue Creamery Co-Owner David Gremmels was beaming.after his victory and had this to say after the thrilling final match, "This is a long-awaited victory for Crater Lake Blue, an American original blue with a conviction to be the finest artisan blue cheese." He went on to explain, "This victory is shared with the Kansas' Jay Hawks who coincidently celebrated triumphant victory in their own Sweet 16!

We would also like to congratulate our Savory 16 Sweepstakes Winner, Carrie Williams. We hope you enjoy your Cheese Of The Month subscription for the coming year. Congratulations!

So until next year, we here at the Savory 16 wish you the very best in life, love, and cheese.

Final 4 Recap
Crater Lake Blue vs. Parmigiano Reggiano
Our first semi-final was a classic match-up of youth vs. experience as upstart Crater Lake Blue took on perennial favorite Parmigiano Reggiano. Heading into this match the big question was how Crater Lake would react to the pressure of being in the Final 4 and the answer came swiftly and strongly as Crater Lake immediately wowed the judges in the kitchen with a flurry of blue cheese cream sauces, stuffed mushroom caps, and versatility as a topping on a wide range of red and game meats. Parm responded as any champion with its pedigree would, dazzling the judges with its topping on countless soups, pastas, stews, and salads, as well as using its rind to dissolve into a delicious stock for risotto. All Square at the half, this close contest would ultimately be decided during the wine pairings. Reggiano fared well when it was paired with a big, chewy Barolo or Barbera, but cracks began to appear in its game as it was unable to show more versatility in pairing with other varietals. Crater Lake proved itself to be much more wine friendly, as well as food friendly, which helped it to secure this decisive win. Critics suggest that perhaps Parm became a bit complacent, underestimating the adventurous spirit of its young American rival.
Advancing to the Finals: Crater Lake Blue

Comte vs. Blue Stilton
Two long time rivals squared off in the other semi-final as England's Royal Blue Stilton took on France's beloved Comté. Fan voting for these two great cheeses was a dead heat and the judges would be equally torn as this competition wore on. In the initial tasting both cheeses scored well as each of these cheeses have exceptional balance and flavor. Comté built up a bit of a lead by strong scoring in the kitchen. Even though it was a dense, aged cheese, Comté melted as evenly as a young gouda. It spread into a savory sauce that brought roasted portobellos to new heights. It's Mac n' Cheese was divine, it's Mornay Sauce was heavenly. Comté continued this momentum by scoring well as a versatile pairing for white wines. However, Stilton stormed back into contention with a furious rally when it paired with red such as the classic Tawny Port, a bold, fruity Zin, or even a Brunello. In the end, the versatility of Comté in the kitchen proved to be too much for Stilton to overcome. Now this classic, AOC-defending cheese will have to muster every ounce of strength in its wheel to defeat the upstart Crater Lake Blue in the championship match. Comté will look to continue its mastery over blue cheese after successfully defeating giants Roquefort and Stilton. Will another big blue bite the dust, or do the Americans have a chance at dethroning the French?
Advancing to the Finals: Comte

Elite 8 Recap

Crater Lake Blue [#1] vs. Grafton Classic Reserve [#3]
The American regional championship was an instant classic as West Coast giant Crater Lake Blue waged an epic battle against New England stalwart Grafton Reserve Cheddar. Crater Lake Blue jumped out to a quick lead with its salty and bluesy flavor leading a full court press on the senses. However, Grafton quickly regained its composure and came back strong with its tangy flavor and smooth lingering finish. While both cheeses cooked wonderfully in the kitchen, judges praised Crater Lake for the intensity it brought to salads, baked vegetables, and topping grilled meats. Time and time again, Crater Lake scored by presenting a well-rounded flavor that didn't overwhelm with its bluesy bite. This unshakable consistency ultimately guaranteed the win for Crater. It's a great win, but now Crater Lake will have to face off against Parmigiano Reggiano, a cheese that has been consistently on game since before the Renaissance.
Winner of the US Bracket: Crater Lake Blue

Parmigiano Reggiano [#1] vs. Capradoro [#3]
Italy's regional final featured mighty Parmigiano Reggiano against up-and-coming Capradoro. In the previous round Caprodoro dispatched Mountain Gorgonzola by using its unique flavor profile and versatility in the kitchen to shut down the big blue. Unfortunately, in this match-up it was playing right to Parmigiano's strengths. While Capradoro got great marks for its refreshing, lemony taste and hints of green olive, it was simply unable to distinguish itself from the salty and nutty flavor of Parmigiano. Unable to alter its game plan, Caprodoro, like many an opponent before it, simply succumbed to the three time defending Italian champion. Parmigiano will now have to take on America's Crater Lake Blue. Parmigiano has to be somewhat wary of this blue in the match-up, as it has faltered in the face of their tangy bite in past years.
Winner of the Italy Bracket: Parmigiano Reggiano

Epoisses [#4] vs. Comte [#3]
The French regional final (dubbed the "civil war") turned out to be just that. When fans learned that these two French fromages were facing off, people were very curious to see how these drastically different cheeses would perform. Epoisses, scored early and often as its intense, direct flavor wowed the judges on first tasting. As the match wore on however it was simply unable to sustain this type of both-barrels effort for the full 60 minutes. Comte, from the mountainous Comte region, was built to last for long winters, and kept a strong game throughout the competition. As Epoisses started to sag, Comte maintained a firm, flavorful bite. The balance of Comte's nutty, buttery flavor earned the win and punched a ticket to this year's Final Four.
Winner of the France Bracket: Comte

Blue Stilton [#1] vs. Cotswold [#3]
When these English titans squared off, it was a curd-flying frenzy! This match was not for the timid as these two bold cheeses are used to overwhelming their competition from the start. Both cheeses got off to a great start as Cotswold's run of scallion and chive was quickly answered by Stilton's blue and pungent flavor. Ultimately it was Stilton's buttery and creamy texture that added balance to its attack and tempered the fullness of the blue. Cotswold had no answer for this full-circle flavor and simply came up a little short in the second half. This paved the way for Blue Stilton to move on to the Final Four. But, will this British Blue be able to take on the mountain-bred power of Comte?
Winner of the England Bracket: Blue Stilton

Opening Round Recap

Crater Lake Blue [#1] vs. San Joaquin Gold [#4]
As expected, this was a classic battle between two great American cheese makers. Although wildly different in flavor profiles, each cheese paired well with a variety of dishes in the kitchen. Both cheeses gave everything they had in a see-saw battle, but ultimately San Joaquin succumbed to Crater Lake Blue during the final wine pairings. Here, the judges found that Crater Lake could accommodate reds from a basic table wine to a grand cru valpolicella. San Joaquin's notes of hay, almonds, and butter made it a choosey mate, giving it a lead in the initial plain tasting, but hurting the cheese in these crucial, final rounds. The boldness and staying power of Crater Lake enabled it to survive this first round war but some are questioning if this blue will have enough left in the tank for the U.S. final.

Tomme Collins [#2] vs. Grafton Classic Reserve [#3]
This match caught a lot of people off guard. Initially, many bloggers were confident that a raw milk cheese could trump any pasteurized cheese, regardless of aging. But both the fans and the judges picked Grafton to be the winner in this match-up. While in a straight taste-off Tomme Collins performed beautifully, Grafton was able to rack up points with its ability to pair with a wide range of foods, melt evenly without oil separation, and the smoothness of its finish all added up to make Grafton the point leader. The one thing to keep in mind with the Savory16 is that a cheese needs to be versatile. A cheese can taste heavnly on its own, but if it blows the culinary, wine-pairing, and food-pairing tests, it won't be able to ascend to the Final Four. We'll see if Grafton can keep it up for it's battle against the West Coast star, Crater Lake Blue.

Parmigiano Reggiano [#1] vs. Piave [#4]
Although Piave gave a valiant fight against the Parmigiano Reggiano juggernaut, last night's competition ended as many expected, in Parm's favor. Some thought this would be a lackluster fight, pitting such a revered, aged cheese against such a young and inexperienced one. However, Piave got off to a quick start and showed no signs of nerves in it's first trip to the Big Dance. Piave relied on its youth during the culinary tests, as it showcased an ability to meld easily into a sauce, or to bind with more delicate flavors and not overpower the other ingredients. Parmigiano took the initial flurry from Piave in stride and simply used its aging and more powerful flavor to outduel Piave. A good showing from Piave, but Parm didn't become a record-holding, global champion for nothing. But in the next Italian match-up Parm will be facing off another aged cheese, which might prove to be much more difficult than Parm expects.

Mountain Gorgonzola [#2] vs. Capradoro [#3]
As occasionally happens in this competition, sometimes a cheese is just too strong for its own good. Mountain was cocky and arrogant heading into this matchup refusing to even recognize Capradoro and talking about how it was going to not only avenge last year's lost to Parm but take home this year's title. This bulletin board material provided added incentive for Sardinia's favorite son, Capradoro during the competition. Mountain Gorgonzola, big, bold, and blue, actually lost points for its aggressive flavor in overpowering other foods and wines. Capradoro, playing a more sublte card, received consistently high marks for its clean, grassy flavor and not-overly salty bite. Capradoro easily mixed with a range of flavors, making it a somewhat easy winner and while it was a surprising loss for Gorgonzola, many insiders not only saw this one coming but were happy to see the bully Mountain have to eat a little crow.

Brie [#1] vs. Epoisses [#4]
In this battle between the two creamy cheese giants, the fan favorite Brie and #1 seed in the French bracket was subjected to a startling upset at the hands of the lesser known Epoisses. The first half was a back and forth affair as both cheeses tested their mettle in the kitchen. Each cheese melted wonderfully, which didn't take much, considering their already runny state. In the end what won the judges' favor was the additional flavor that Epoisses brought to the table. Epoisses' beefy, robust taste brought exciting new flavors to a wide range of dishes and wine pairings that Brie was simply unable to match. Epoisses will try to continue this magical run when it tackles another giant in Comte.

Comte [#3] vs Roquefort [#2]
Comte appeared to be visibly nervous early on in its match with Roquefort. Roquefort got off to a quick start as it blended beautifully in a variety of salads. Comte seemed to get over those opening round jitters when it dazzled palates with its fondues and melting abilities. Comte went on to produced some of the best gratins, croquettes and cheese sauces we ever tasted! Each performed well in the wine tasting, with Viognier being Comte's strong point and Roquefort pairing with heavenly, nectar-like Sauternes. Nearly equal in scores, it was Comte's versatility in the kitchen and its mountain-bred, head-down determination that allowed Comte to push through and secured the win! A titanic clash with the surprise of the tournament so far. Epoisses now awaits, to stop Comte's journey to the final four.

Dorset Drum [#4] vs Blue Stilton [#1]
This was easily one of the most anticipated matchups of the first round. Pitting two English classics in an epic battle between blue cheese and cheddar certainly lived up to the hype. Both cheeses had stellar performances in the overall taste competition and food pairing categories. The wine tasting, however, tipped the scales in Stilton's favor. The judges enjoyed the nuanced play between Stilton's buttery, salty, pungent flavor and a wide array of ports, cabs, and even the occasional Shiraz. Hopefully the Dorset fans will take this loss admirably, and not resort to the football hooligan antics we saw in Cheese Off '91.

Cotswold [#3] vs Sage Derby [#2]
We said going into this match that Sage Derby was going to have to withstand the initial onslaught of Cotswold if it was going to have any chance. But even the most ardent Sage Derby supporters have to be disappointed in the effort of this fine cheese during this match. Cotswold's piquant, onion-y flavor, captivated the judges palates early on and never relented. Sage did manage to score some points during the beer pairing but that appeared to be more of a case of Cotswold simply letting up in what was a blowout win. Now only Stilton stands between Cotswold and a coveted place in the final four, but Cotswold will have to take its game to a whole new level if it is going to unseat the defending English champion, Blue Stilton.