Entries open to 2016 Australian Cider Awards

17 Jun 2016

Cider Australia today opened entries to this year’s national cider Awards and is expecting a flood of entries in Australia’s largest show in history.

The sixth annual Australian Cider Awards continues to gain momentum as producers vie for accolades in more classes than ever before, reflecting the sustained development of an industry that shows no signs of slowing down!

Chief Steward of the Awards, Cider Australia Secretary and head cider maker at Flying Brick Cider on the Bellarine Peninsula Nyall Condon said the show is a tremendous opportunity for producers and distributors to showcase their products and have them benchmarked by the finest cider judges in the country.

“We are proud to be leading the charge in cider category development and education through our Awards. This year we have refined the comprehensive style descriptors released last year to ensure our show keeps pace with the rapidly evolving Australian cider market”, said Mr Condon.

“A record twenty categories will be judged in 2016 and this includes the standard cider and perry classes, a number of specialty and intensified/distilled classes and one new addition for 2016, Apple and Pear Blends”, Mr Condon said.

Entries will be assessed by a world class judging panel comprising chair Gary Baldwin (chief winemaker at Handpicked Wines), UK cider expert Bill Bradshaw, renowned wine and cider journalist Max Allen, Behn Payten (winemaker at Payten & Jones Wines and formerly cidermaker at Napoleone Cider) and Briony Liebich (sensory analyst at Lion).

“Cider is a complex beverage that deserves special consideration and the panel of judges is ready to cover all bases in terms of aroma and flavour, appearance, mouthfeel and overall impression”, said Chair of the judging panel Gary Baldwin.

Mr Baldwin explained that the best of the best ciders must have a certain ‘wow-factor’ that makes them stand out from their peers.

Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner on the evening of Friday 7th October, with festivities continuing at the annual Australian Cider Festival being held for the first time in Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre Courtyard from 12-7pm on Saturday 8th October.

You can enter the 2016 Australian Cider Awards online via Cider Australia’s website at www.cideraustralia.org.au/awards

International entries must be available for sale in Australia at the time of entry.

Entries close on Friday 9th September 2016.

2016 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates

Media representatives are invited to visit the judging in central Melbourne, but this is closed to the public. Photo and interview opportunities with judges will be available on request.

FULL DETAILS ON AWARD CLASSES AND RULES ARE IN THE COMPETITION INFORMATION AND STYLE GUIDE 2016 [Cider Australia 2016-Styleguide [Official]].

For more details or media enquiries contact Cider Australia secretary Nyall Condon on 0417 877 388 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au