World class judging panel assembled for Australian Cider Awards

25 Jul 2014

An international expert will headline the judging panel for Cider Australia’s national awards New Zealander Malcolm Reeves has almost three decades’ experience with cider judging and is looking forward to tasting the best of the best from Australia’s expanding industry when the awards are held in Melbourne later this year.

Mr Reeves was last year honoured with the Fruit Wine and Cider Maker’s NZ Trophy for his contribution to the industry. He consults globally on cider making and has extensive experience researching and teaching in wine science and technology.

Joining Mr Reeves on the judging panel will be four other cider connoisseurs.

Gary Baldwin (Director and Owner of Wine Network Consulting) will chair the panel.

Expertise will also be provided by Wayne Hewett (wine/cider maker at Rebello Wines), Ian Kingham (Category Lead Beer at Woolworths Liquor Group) and Behn Payten (wine/cider maker at Punt Road Wines).

Judging will take place at the historic Kelvin Club in Melbourne’s CBD, with judges deciding the best products in 17 award categories – 3 more than previous years.

Cider Australia president Sam Reid said it was necessary to review and expand the award categories to reflect the evolving cider market.

Mr Reid said he was expecting entries from more than 50 of the country’s leading artisan and boutique cider and perry makers, who continue to push the envelope developing products that are receiving acclaim from industry leaders across the globe.

“We are looking forward to presenting this quality judging panel with some unique products from across Australia,” Mr Reid said.

More details of the categories will be announced later this month when the awards are officially opened for entries.

Winners of the awards will be honoured at a dinner, to be held at The Kelvin Club on Friday October 10th, while cider celebrations will continue with the Australian Cider Festival at Ormond Hall at The Village over that weekend.

Media Contact: Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759. More details will be available in the coming weeks on Cider Australia’s website www.cideraustralia.org.au or twitter @cideraustralia.