Gold by name, gold by nature

10 Oct 2014

International Entry Wins Top Prize at Australian Cider Awards

An authentic English cider from the UK has taken out the `Best in Show’ prize at this year’s record-breaking Australian Cider Awards.

Thatchers Cider was celebrated at a gala prize ceremony, attended by more than 100 industry players from around Australia and overseas, at the Kelvin Club in Melbourne’s CBD tonight.

Its Thatchers Gold offering won three trophies – Best in Show, Best Cider and Best International entry.

The top Australian entry and Best Perry was Yarra Valley-based Napoleone Cider, with its Napoleone Methode Traditionelle Pear Cider.

Judges, chaired by Gary Baldwin and with guest New Zealand expert Malcolm Reeves providing an international perspective, spent two days last week tasting almost 150 entries across a record 17 categories.

They said Thatchers, which is regarded by some as one of the world’s best ciders, was given a good run for its money by other entries, with a high standard of entries overall.

“The Best in Show was chosen by the judging panel as it showed complex spiced apple characters and aromas with some development – a lovely example of a medium cider in the traditional style,” said chair of the judging panel Gary Baldwin.

A record number of Australian entries were received this year – over 10 per cent more than last year – with almost 150 entries in total across 17 categories.

“The cider category in Australia is continuing to show strong growth, as is the quality of many locally produced ciders which is great news for cider drinkers”, said Cider Australia President Sam Reid.

Those cider fans will be enjoying the fruits of the producer’s labour at the Australian Cider Festival, being held this weekend at Ormond Hall at The Village Melbourne.

There will be live entertainment, food and over 20 cider producers will showcase their wares, with entry from 1pm on each day. Tickets cost $25 at the door and include 20 x 50mL complementary tastings, a tasting glass, program and tasting notes.

Media Note: A media call will be held on Saturday at 12 noon at the Village Melbourne Brasserie. Cider Australia President Sam Reid and a representative from both Thatchers and Napoleone will be in attendance, to recognise their success in the awards and discuss the future growth of the Australian industry.

List of 2014 Winners

Trophies
Best in Show, Best Cider & Best International Cider/Perry – Thatchers Gold
Best Perry & Best Australian Cider/Perry – Napoleone Cider Methode Traditionelle Pear Cider

Best in Class Awards
1A New World Dry Cider – Zeffer Cider Co. Crisp Apple Cider
1B Traditional Dry Cider – Zeffer Cider Co. Slack Ma Girdle Cider
2A New World Medium Cider – Kangaroo Island Ciders Colony Cove Draught Cider
2B Traditional Medium Cider – Thatchers Gold
3A New World Sweet Cider – The Apple Thief Pink Lady Cider
3B Traditional Sweet Cider – Seven Oaks Farmhouse Cider Bramley Seedling
4 Bottle Conditioned / Methode Champenoise Cider – Core Cider Company CORERUPTED Methode Champenoise Cider
5A New World Dry Perry – Zeffer Cider Co. Juicy Pear
6A New World Medium Perry – The Hills Cider Company Pear
6B Traditional Medium Perry – Hillbilly Pear Cider
8 Bottle Conditioned / Methode Champenoise Perry – Napoleone Methode Traditionelle Pear Cider
9 Ice Cider/Perry – Small Acres Cyder Pomona Ice 2012
10 Fortified Cider/Perry – Small Acres Cyder Pommeau 2009
11 Experimental Cider/Perry – Australian Beer Company Pressman’s Mid