Cider Australia is the peak body for the cider and perry industries in Australia.
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Wine Australia — Cider Australia
A $500,000 plan to market Australian craft cider* overseas will be the hot topic of conversation at today’s Cider Australia AGM, preceding the 2018 Cider Industry Conference in Batlow, NSW.
The Australian Government is investing $500,000 in the craft cider industry to build a brand proposition and marketing strategy aimed at boosting exports, as part of the $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package (the $50m Package).
Leading the conversation to develop a brand proposition and shape a go-to-market strategy for Australian craft cider will be Cider Australia President, Sam Reid, and internationally experienced brand strategist, Guy Taylor, engaged by Wine Australia and Cider Australia to develop a strategy that can be leveraged by Australian cider producers.
‘Thanks to the $50m Package, we have a great opportunity to build a strong brand proposition that’s unique to Australia and meaningful in chosen markets’, said Mr Reid.
‘The aim of the funding is to build a coherent brand proposition and go-to-market strategy that reflects the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia.
‘Already our work with Wine Australia has given us access to data and learnings on cider markets around the globe’, he said.
Insights from the Australian craft cider industry will be crucial in shaping this work. In the months preceding the AGM, Guy has been reaching out to craft cider producers to get their ideas and opinions on the craft cider industry.
A further step in the $500,000 plan is to develop a ‘toolkit’ to assist producers in understanding prospective export markets and navigating the rules and complexities associated with exporting to those markets. The Australian wine sector has developed an international reputation and exports 61 per cent of its production. The Australian craft cider industry also has the potential to achieve growth through building export markets.
Background
The cider program is being delivered by Wine Australia, which is administering the $50m Package for the wine and cider industries, guided by a work plan subject to agreement from the Australian Government, Cider Australia and other key stakeholders.
Regular updates on the cider program and information on opportunities to contribute will be posted on the Cider Australia website.
*’Australian craft cider’ is cider produced in Australia using fresh Australian fruit ingredients.
[Ends]
Wine Australia contact: Cider Australia contact:
| Amelia Harris Communications Manager, $50m Package Wine Australia Phone: 0437 714 571 Email: amelia.harris@wineaustralia.com |
Jane Anderson Executive Officer Cider Australia Phone: 0434 559 759 Email: office@cideraustralia.org.au |
On Sunday 8 April 2018, The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and a number of other newspapers published a report about Little Fat Lamb products, citing concerns about the very low price and marketing of these product. The reports state that Little Fat Lamb is heavy cider.
Cider Australia DOES NOT BELIEVE that Little Fat Lamb is a cider product, rather a ready to drink (RTD)/premix product masquerading as a cider.
Little Fat Lamb is sold at a price that indicates it falls under the Wine Equalisation Tax rather than the excise regime, whereas Government policy is that RTD/premix products are excisable.
This is a unique situation where one company is not acting in the spirit of the law.
Cider Australia welcomes calls for transparency from the producer of Little Fat Lamb to better understand what the product actually is, so that it can be taxed correctly.
We continue to push for truth in labelling so drinkers can understand what they are consuming.
Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors. We aim to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia.
We support the responsible consumption and marketing of alcoholic beverages.
Contact: Cider Australia President Sam Reid (0434 734 797) or Executive Officer Jane Anderson (0434 559 759)
The competition director of the world’s largest cider show GLINTCAP will judge at the 2018 Australian Cider Awards.
Cider Australia President Sam Reid today revealed the judging panel for the 8th national cider show.
“I’m pleased to announce that Eric West from the United States will be our guest international judge this year”, said Mr Reid.
Mr West runs the renowned online information and news resource Cider Guide (ciderguide.com) and is a leading cider educator with many accolades to his name, including the prized United States Association of Cider Makers’ Significant Contribution to the Cider Industry award.
“Eric has an amazing knowledge of ciders from all corners of the world, impressive judging credentials and a real passion for spreading the good word on cider which fits our guest judge role perfectly”, said Mr Reid.
The independent panel of judges will be chaired by Behn Payten of Payten & Jones Wines and include Mr West, Mike Bennie (freelance writer and journalist), Sebastian Crowther MS (Rockpool Dining Group), Briony Liebich (Lion Co) and Jody Scott (NZ’s Zeffer Cider).
“The remarkable quality and breadth of expertise on the panel is one of the things that sets the Awards apart and we’re proud to be able to put together a panel of this calibre”, Mr Reid said.
Mr West will run workshops while in Australia on the current state of the US cider industry and the organisation and management of GLINTCAP, the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition.
Entries to the 2018 Australian Cider Awards open on 1 June.
Award winners will be announced at a gala industry dinner in Sydney on 5 October.
For further details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson at office@cideraustralia.org.au or 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au
AUSTRALIAN CIDER AWARDS BACKGROUND
- Cider Australia will run the 8th annual Australian Cider Awards in Spring 2018.
- The Australian Cider Awards is the largest cider competition in Australia. Last year there were 250 entries from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, US, Italy, Spain and Sweden.
- Judging will be held over 2 days in late September at the William Angliss Institute in central Melbourne. The judging is closed to entrants and the public.
- The Judging panel comprises 6 judges (including the guest international judge) and 2 associate judges.
- Products can be entered in one of 28 Award classes covering Traditional and New World cider and perry, specialty and intensified/distilled styles.
- Key changes to the class structure in 2018 are:
- the ‘Medium’ cider and perry classes will be split into ‘Medium Dry’ (~ 9 – 35g/L sugar) and ‘Medium Sweet’ (~ 35-40g/L sugar) reflecting the number of products that are being entered in this sweetness range.
- a new low alcohol cider class for products with an ABV of 1.15-3.5% will be added to the schedule.
- the apple and pear spirits class will be split into a non-aged (Eau de Vie) and an aged spirits class.
- Results will be announced at a gala cider industry dinner on Friday 5 October 2018 in Sydney.
- The Awards is an important precursor to the largest craft cider festival in Australia, the annual Australian Cider Festival, to be held on Saturday 6 October 2018 in Sydney.
Full entry details including the competition rules and 2018 Style Guide will be available soon at www.cideraustralia.org.au
Australian craft* cider producers are being invited to contribute to a $500,000 plan to build overseas markets for craft cider.
The Australian Government is investing $500,000 in the craft cider industry over two years to build a brand proposition and marketing strategy aimed at boosting exports, as part of the $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package.
Cider Australia has engaged internationally experienced brand strategist, Guy Taylor, to develop a brand proposition to market ‘Australian craft cider’ internationally that can be leveraged by Australian cider producers.
Guy worked with Blundstones to take them to the forefront of the global workwear movement, co-created the ‘Who is James Boag?’ campaign and in the travel sector, lead Tourism Tasmania’s brand evolution in 2013.
The aim of the funding to take craft cider businesses to the next level by building knowledge of potential export markets and developing improved understanding for accessing these markets.
Insights from the Australian craft cider industry are crucial in shaping this work. Guy will be reaching out to craft cider producers in the coming months to get their ideas and opinions on the craft cider industry.
A further step will be to develop a Go-To-Market strategy and a ‘toolkit’ to assist producers to understand prospective export markets and navigate the rules and complexities associated with exporting to those markets. The Australian wine sector has developed an international reputation and exports 61 per cent of its production. The Australian craft cider industry also has the potential to achieve growth through building export markets.
Regular updates on the cider program and information on opportunities to contribute will be posted on the Cider Australia website.
The program will be delivered by Wine Australia, which is administering the Export and Regional Wine Support Package, for the wine and cider industries, guided by a work plan subject to agreement from the Australian Government, Cider Australia and other key stakeholders.
* ‘Australian craft cider’ is cider produced in Australia using fresh Australian fruit ingredients.
Magners Original Apple cider has won the Best in Show at the 2017 Australian Cider Awards in the largest ever field of entries.
Cider producers and industry representatives from across Australia gathered to honour the winners of the Awards at Friday night’s gala dinner in Melbourne.
Magners Original Apple was awarded the top prize because it displayed a perfect balance of sugar, tannin and overall complexity combined with toasty, savoury, creamy notes – the ‘wow’ factor that helped this product rise to the top.
Cider Australia President Sam Reid said the night was particularly memorable because Cider Australia presented its inaugural Champion of the Industry Award, a new award that honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian cider industry over a prolonged period of time.
“The Award was presented posthumously to Harcourt orchardist and cider maker Drew Henry”, said Mr Reid.
“Drew was a passionate advocate for craft cider, a generous educator and a leader in his field, and the Australian cider industry is in a better place as a result of Drew’s involvement”.
Four other gold medals were awarded in the competition to St Ronan’s Cider from Victoria, The Barossa Cider Co along with new entrant The Sparkke Change Beverage Company from South Australia and the UK’s Westons Cider.
Chief Steward of the Awards Nyall Condon said it is amazing to see how far the Awards have come in just a few years with a record 250 local and international entries (25% more than last year) and a big step up in the number and grade of medals being awarded.
A list of the Award winners is attached. Full results are contained in the 2017 Australian Cider Awards Results Booklet.
Media Note: For more details or to arrange interviews/photos please contact Jane Anderson at Cider Australia on 0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au
WINNERS LIST – 2017 AUSTRALIAN CIDER AWARDS
TROPHIES
| Best in Show | Magners with Original Apple |
| Best Traditional Cider | St Ronan’s with Methode Traditionelle Heritage |
| Best New World Cider | Magners with Original Apple |
| Best Perry | Carmel Cider with Pear |
| Best Cider and Perry Blend | LOBO Cider with Apple & Pear |
| Best Intensified/Distilled Cider or Perry | Small Acres Cyder with 2015 Pomona Ice |
| Best Australian Cider or Perry | St Ronan’s with Methode Traditionelle Heritage |
| Best International Cider or Perry | Magners with Original Apple |
| Most Successful Small Producer (< 50,000 litres per year) | Small Acres Cyder |
| Most Successful Larger Producer (>50,000 litres per year) | Westons Cider |
| Inaugural “Champion of the Industry Award” | Drew Henry |
BEST IN CLASS
| Class 1A | New World Dry Cider
|
Winter Brook Vintage Cider 2016 | Winter Brook |
| Class 1B | Traditional Dry Cider
|
Willie Smiths Somerset Red Streak Dry Cider | William Smith & Sons |
| Class 2A | New World Medium Cider | Original Apple | Magners |
| Class 2B | Traditional Medium Cider
|
Wyld Wood Organic Apple | Westons Cider |
| Class 3A | New World Sweet Cider | Squashed Apple Cider | The Barossa Cider Co |
| Class 3B | Traditional Sweet Cider | LOBO Royale | LOBO Cider |
| Class 4A/B | Method Traditional (disgorged) Cider | Methode Traditionelle Heritage | St Ronan’s |
| Class 5A | New World Dry Perry | Pear Perry | Spreyton Cider Co |
| Class 5B | Traditional Dry Perry | No entries | |
| Class 6A | New World Medium Perry | Packham Pear | The Cider Lab |
| Class 6B | Traditional Medium Perry | Pear Cider | Twisted Sister Cider |
| Class 7A | New World Sweet Perry
|
Mr Finch Pear Perry (Bottle) | Mr Finch |
| Class 7B | Traditional Sweet Perry | No entries | |
| Class 8A/B | Method Traditional (disgorged) Perry | Pear | Carmel Cider |
| Class 9 | Speciality/Experimental Cider or Perry | The Hills Cider Company Hop Edition | The Hills Cider Company |
| Class 10 | Apple and Pear Blends | LOBO Apple & Pear | LOBO Cider |
| Class 11 | Cider or Perry with Fruit
|
The Hills Cider Company Apple Ginger | The Hills Cider Company |
| Class 12 | Ice Cider or Perry
|
Small Acres Cyder 2015 Pomona Ice | Small Acres Cyder |
| Class 13 | Pommeau
|
Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau | Small Acres Cyder |
| Class 14 | Apple or Pear Spirit
|
The Hills Cider Company | Adelaide Hills Distillery Virgin Apple Spirit |
Cider producers from across Australia will gather in Melbourne this weekend to salute the winners of Australia’s largest and most prestigious cider show.
Industry peak body Cider Australia will host the 2017 Australian Cider Awards Dinner on Friday night at The Craft & Co in Collingwood.
Cider Australia President Sam Reid said the organisation is proud of its achievements over the past year and thankful to finally have clarity on its future and where it needs to focus its efforts.
“The sheer weight of activity in the cider sector is inspiring – Cider Australia is working with Wine Australia and the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia on the recently announced cider program under the Export and Regional Wine Support Package to accelerate cider export capabilities, and with levy body Horticulture Innovation Australia to implement a 100% Australian juice certification scheme for cider”, said Mr Reid.
“In addition, we feel we have now really landed the message with stakeholders at all levels of Government of the benefits that are gained by regional communities around Australia when consumers choose ciders made from Australian grown fruit”.
“We have taken the opportunity to postpone our annual cider festival this year and will instead convene a much needed Cider Industry Forum on Saturday 28th October.”
The Cider Industry Forum, to be held at The Malthouse Theatre in Southbank, is a full day of industry development activities aimed at continuing to step-change the quality of ciders produced in Australia.
“The Forum will conclude with the inaugural Australian Cider Awards Exhibitor Tasting, and event that allows entrants to the Awards to taste up to 250 ciders and learn and will help to improve the quality of ciders produced locally”, Mr Reid said.
The Full Program for the Cider Industry Forum is below.
For further information and media queries contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson at office@cideraustralia.org.au or 0434 559 759.
Cider Australia’s Cider Industry Forum
Saturday 28th October 2017
The Malthouse Theatre, Southbank VIC
Full Program
| 9.15am | Welcome and introduction |
| 9.30am | General Meeting of Cider Australia (Cider Australia Members only) – General business |
| 10.10am | Morning tea |
| 10.40am | – Export and Regional Wine Support Package update |
| 11.00am | – Cider R&D |
| 11.20am | – WET reform update – Australian Taxation Office |
| 12pm | Lunch |
| 1pm | Cider Producers Forum – Quality assurance in cider: Product stability and sterility |
| 2.30pm | Australian Cider Awards Exhibitor Tasting (Awards entrants only) |
| 4pm | Close |
RSVPs essential – contact office@cideraustralia.org.au
The Australian Cider Awards is set for a rousing show this Spring as producers vie for honours in the nation’s largest cider competition.
Run by national industry body Cider Australia, the 7th annual Awards has attracted a record 248 entries, 25 per cent more than last year.
Cider Australia President Sam Reid said the Awards recognises excellence in cider production and also looks to reward innovation as cider makers continue to explore new territory.
As more and more people delve into the diverse and impassioned world of cider, Cider Australia is pleased to announce Dan Murphy’s as sponsor of the Best in Show award.
“If you look on the shelves of retailers you can see that cider drinkers are becoming more discerning and looking for new experiences, so it is not surprising to see a 44 per cent jump in entries in the dry traditional cider class”.
“We are also excited to see a more than doubling of entries in the experimental and spirits classes”, said Mr Reid.
The results of the Awards will be announced at the cider industry’s annual gala dinner at The Craft & Co in Collingwood on Friday 27 October.
Mr Reid said that Cider Australia will also host an Industry Forum on Saturday 28 October with a full program of activities geared towards education, engagement and capacity building.
“The cider industry is at a crucial point in its development and the Forum is an opportunity for us to regroup and plan for the future, to ensure we stay on a sustainable trajectory”, Mr Reid said.
For more information contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au
2017 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates
| Entries Closed | Fri 1 Sept |
| Deliver Entries | 1 Sept – 15 Sept |
| Spanish Cider Master Class | Mon 25 Sept (William Angliss Institute, VIC) |
| Judging (closed to public) | Tue 26 and Wed 27 Sept |
| Cider Awards Dinner | Fri 27 Oct (The Craft & Co, VIC) |
| Cider Australia Industry Forum | Sat 28 Oct (The Malthouse Theatre, VIC) |
Tickets to the Spanish Cider Master Class hosted by guest judge at the Australian Cider Awards, Eduardo Coto, are $40 ($20 Members of Cider Australia) and available through Eventbrite.
Full details on the Industry Forum will be available on Cider Australia’s website in late September.
A world-class panel of judges are gearing up to swirl and sip hundreds of ciders in Australia’s largest cider show.
Cider Australia will host the 7th annual Australian Cider Awards next month and entries close on 1 September.
This year’s guest international judge Eduardo Coto from Spain brings to the table an extensive knowledge of European ciders and international trends.
Cider Australia President Sam Reid said the pre-judging warm up will include a Spanish Cider Master Class hosted by Mr Coto on Monday 25 September in Melbourne.
“Award winners will be announced at the cider industry’s annual gala dinner on Friday 27th October at The Craft & Co in Collingwood”.
“The festivities will continue on Saturday 28th October at an Industry Forum hosted by Cider Australia, which will be a full day of industry development activities aimed at continuing to step-change the quality of ciders we have in Australia”.
“The Forum will conclude with the inaugural Australian Cider Awards Exhibitor Tasting where entrants to the Awards will be able to obtain valuable feedback from the judges on their entries and taste them alongside other entries”, said Mr Reid.
You can enter the Awards online via www.cideraustralia.org.au/awards
Tickets to the Spanish Cider Master Class hosted by Eduardo Coto are $40 ($20 Members) and will be available via Eventbrite on 1 September, along with tickets to the Industry Forum. Further details on the Awards Dinner are attached.
For more information contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au
2017 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates
| Entries Close | Fri 1 Sept |
| Deliver Entries | 1 Sept – 15 Sept |
| Spanish Cider Master Class | Mon 25 Sept |
| Judging (closed to public) | Tue 26 and Wed 27 Sept |
| Awards Presentation Dinner | Fri 27 Oct |
| Cider Australia Industry Forum | Sat 28 Oct |
Harcourt orchardist and cider maker Drew Henry passed away earlier this week.
Mr Henry was the co-owner of Henry of Harcourt based in the valley of Harcourt in central Victoria.
President of Cider Australia Sam Reid said Mr Henry was a respected leader in the cider industry and one of the pioneers of cider apples.
“The industry is in shock at the passing of Drew following an accident at his orchard.”
“He contributed so much to the cider industry and this is a devastating loss to his family, the tight-knit community of Harcourt and all those who were lucky enough to know him.”
“The cider category in Australia would not be what it is today without his vision and foresight and he will always be remembered for his strong opinions and generosity in sharing his knowledge”, Mr Reid said.
Drew will be missed by many in the cider community from Australia and overseas.
Cider Australia Contact: Jane Anderson (0434 559 759)
Drew Henry – words from cider industry friends and associates
Drew Henry was one of the leading pioneers of the modern Australian cider industry. With his wife Irene and son Michael, Drew started making traditional real ciders at the family’s orchard and cidery in Harcourt, central Victoria, in the late 1990s, years before the current cider boom took off, long before the market was ready for them. He sought out more than 40 English and French varieties of cider apples and perry pears in heritage collections around the country and planted and grafted them in his own orchard. He was a passionate advocate for cider tradition and culture – and an outspoken critic of bland, industrial ‘alcopop cider’ – encouraging many people to plant, make and drink real cider and perry made from real apples and pears, generously supporting them and advising them along the way.
Max Allen
I discovered Drew Henry’s generosity at our first meeting.
Bowling up to Henry of Harcourt’s Cellar Door some years ago looking for scion wood of the varieties so painstakingly collected by Drew I could reasonably have been met with rejection. But the opposite was the case.
The Henrys, Drew, Irene and Michael have since helped us and others with supplies of budwood from tried and true trees that continues to help amateur and aspiring commercial cider makers gain access to that indispensable ingredient of good cider – the right apples.
Drew realised that knowledge was for sharing, not hiding, and if decent cider was to be more widely available there had to be decent cider makers with access to proper apples. In recent years he worked with us to present cider-making workshops.
With his charmingly gruff style he freely shared his knowledge. Starting with the basics: good hygiene, fresh juice from the right apples, decent yeast and not too many other things, Drew took participants right through the stages of his craft answering questions expansively.
His presentation on cider flavours and taste based on a skilful and entertaining walk through Henry of Harcourt’s varietals and blends was always a lights-on moment.
Just recently while reviewing our last workshop Drew was excited about some ideas he had to make the next one better. The aim as always was to enable more people to make good, honest cider so more people could get to drink it.
Rob Pelletier, Heritage Fruit Trees
Drew’s “Henry of Harcourt” was an entrant in the first Australian cider competition in 2007 held at Lenswood. Against Australian and international entrants Drew received the Best in Show award for his Perry and topped the Dry Cider class and the Dessert Cider class. As usual, ahead of his time, he went on to develop various varietal ciders based on the English cider apples in his collection.
A lot of cider fans and potential producers will remember Drew for his tasting presentations at field days and conferences. He was an expert in the area of tasting and the differences that could be achieved with skilful apple blending and cider making.
Drew was also a foundation member of the producer organisation Cider Australia. He always fought for “real” cider to be made from “real apples” i.e. cider apples. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Henry of Harcourt motto is “cider for grown-ups”.
David Pickering, CiderOz
Entries are flowing in to this year’s Australian Cider Awards as the call for participation extends to international producers.
Cider Australia hosts the largest and most prestigious cider competition in Australia, with the 2017 Awards promising to showcase the best of the best ciders available for sale in Australia.
Entries to the Awards close on Friday 1st September 2017.
The judging, undertaken blind and in accordance with detailed style specifications, will take place on 26th and 27th September in Melbourne.
Chief Steward of the Awards Nyall Condon, from the Bellarine Peninsula’s Flying Brick Cider Co, said the Awards is a prime opportunity for producers to see how their ciders stack up against the competition.
“We are aiming to boost international entries this year to further expand our horizons and keep the judges interested and on their toes”, said Mr Condon.
You can enter the 2017 Australian Cider Awards online via www.cideraustralia.org.au/awards
Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner on the evening of Friday 27th October at The Craft & Co in Collingwood. Details are attached.
2017 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates
| Entries Open | Mon 5 June |
| Entries Close | Fri 1 Sept |
| Deliver Entries | 1 Sept – 15 Sept |
| Judging (closed to public) | Tue 26 and Wed 27 Sept |
| Awards Dinner | Fri 27 Oct |
| Australian Cider Festival | Sat 28 Oct |
For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au
FULL DETAILS ON AWARD CLASSES AND RULES ARE IN THE 2017 Awards Information & Style Guide. Media representatives are invited to visit the judging in central Melbourne, but this is closed to the public.
