Canadian expert to judge at 2015 national cider awards

30 Jun 2015

Canadian cider expert and author of The New Cider Maker’s Handbook – a definitive modern work on the practice of cider making – will visit Australia as guest judge at this year’s Australian Cider Awards.

Claude Jolicoeur, acclaimed across the globe for his technical knowledge as well as his award winning ciders, is thrilled at the opportunity to try the best from Australia’s thriving cider industry when the awards are held in Melbourne later this year.

Cider Australia president Sam Reid said the awards will move onwards and upwards this year with expectations of around 200 entries confirming its status as the leading cider show in Australia.

“Cider Australia is releasing style guidelines this year that clearly describe the characteristics you do and don’t want to see in ciders of different classes, and ultimately what a cider maker should aspire to if they want a product to judge well.

“We are trying to establish best practice in cider judging across Australia with clear definition of classes and a clear understanding of desired characteristics, to avoid situations where certain positive cider related characters are judged as faults and vice versa.

“The detailed style guidelines should give confidence to exhibitors and consumers that we’re comparing apples with apples, so to speak!” noted Mr Reid.

The five person judging panel will be chaired by Gary Baldwin (Director and Owner of Wine Network Consulting) and also joined by local experts Behn Payten (wine/cider maker at Punt Road Wines) and Karina Dambergs (owner of Red Brick Road Cider).

“The judges will be awarding medals in 19 categories with 2 new styles, ‘Cider or Perry with fruit’ and ‘Apple or Pear Spirit’, added to the schedule reflecting growth and innovation in the Australian cider market”, said Mr Reid.

The awards will be officially opened for entries early next month and winners will be announced on the evening of Friday 9 October.
For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au. For information about Claude Jolicoeur’s book visit www.chelseagreen.com/the-new-cider-makers-handbook