Record entries in 2018 Cider Awards
21 Sep 2018
A world-class panel of cider experts will assemble in Melbourne next week to judge the 8th annual Australian Cider Awards.
Show organiser Cider Australia has announced record entries this year, with judges to critique 260 products from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, France, Spain and England.
Cider Australia Vice President Warwick Billings said the Awards recognise excellence in cider production and lay the foundations of the organisation’s efforts to build a sustainable cider category in Australia.
“This year we have seen continued strong growth in the Dry and Medium Cider classes and a quadrupling of entries in the Cider with Fruit class”, said Warwick.
“We introduced two new classes and refined our style guidelines to ensure the competition remains relevant to the rapidly evolving market, and the entry statistics are testament to the growing consumer demand for certain styles”.
Award winners will be announced at the industry’s annual gala dinner at the Mercure Sydney on Friday 5 October.
Warwick said that Cider Australia will also host an Australian Cider Forum on Friday 5 October that will feature the launch of a new 100% Australian Grown trust mark.
“Once the formalities are over, Sydney-siders can join us at the Australian Cider Festival at the Mercure Sydney on Saturday 6 October, to sample many of the best ciders available on our shores”, said Warwick.
For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au. Follow the Awards via twitter @cideraustralia and the #australianciderawards hashtag.
2018 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates
| US Cider Tasting (6pm) | Mon 24 Sept (Melbourne) |
| Judging (closed to public) | Tue 25 and Wed 26 Sept (Melbourne) |
| Australian Cider Forum (9.30am – 4.15pm)
Awards Dinner (6.30pm) |
Fri 5 Oct (Mercure Sydney) |
| Australian Cider Festival (12-6pm) |
Sat 6 Oct (Mercure Sydney) |
Media representatives are invited to visit the judging in central Melbourne, but this is closed to the public.
Tickets to the US Cider Tasting hosted by guest judge at the Australian Cider Awards, Eric West, are $30 and available through Eventbrite.
Tickets to the Australian Cider Festival are $40 (presale)/$45 (at the door) and available through Eventbrite.
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