Cider Australia, the industry’s peak body for cider, has announced the opening of entries for the 2023 Australian Cider Awards, with winners being announced in October.
The awards are Australia’s largest cider competition, with entrants competing across 30 commercial classes including ciders, specialty ciders and apple and pear spirits.
For the first time this year, ciders that are not sold in Australia can enter the competition as part of a three year trial, giving international producers the opportunity to test products in the Australian market.
Darlene Hayes will be among the judging panel blind-tasting the entries. Warwick Billings, president of Cider Australia and chair of the organising committee, is looking forward to Hayes’ involvement.
“We are excited to announce this year’s guest judge, Darlene Hayes from the United States, a highly respected educator, judge and writer with a true passion for cider,” Billings said.
“Darlene is a Certified Pommelier™ – a course of study akin to the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and the Court of Master Sommeliers, but for cider rather than wine – bringing a well-rounded technical and international perspective to the judging table,” he continued.
Hayes will also hold a cider masterclass in Melbourne on Sunday 15 October.
Entries close on Friday 22 September and the results will be announced on Thursday 26 October at a gala industry dinner in central Melbourne. Tickets will go on sale in August.