Oregon · United States
Rogue River Blue.
Rogue River Blue arrives swaddled in syrah-soaked grape leaves, releasing whispers of orchard fruit and fermented wine as you unwrap it. The paste itself is a study in controlled chaos—creamy and yielding, threaded with blue veins that deliver spicy, peppery heat followed by unexpected notes of pear brandy and dark earth. It's the kind of cheese that unfolds on your palate, moving from bold to subtle, leaving a complex, almost minerally finish that lingers.
Origin
44.0°N · 120.7°W
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Rogue River Blue is made by Rogue Creamery in Central Point, Oregon, using raw organic milk from Jersey cows.
It is wrapped in Syrah grape leaves soaked in pear brandy from local orchards, giving it a distinctive fruity complexity. In 2019 it became the first American cheese to win World's Best Cheese at the World Cheese Awards.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · raw
- Family
- Blue
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 10–14 mo
- Intensity
- 4 / 5
- Texture
- semi-soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Rogue River Blue's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for blue cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a thin or wire knife and wipe it between cuts; aim for wedges that share the veins evenly.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Rogue.
52 pairings across 6 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Rogue River Blue are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Rogue River Blue at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
