Irish cider wins top prize at Australian Cider Awards
28 Oct 2017
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 |
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