Kent Cider producer Turners of Marden has triumphed by winning two of the three categories, along with Sandford Orchards of Devon, in the Love Cider Competition 2022, hosted by the National Fruit Show and organised by the Marden Fruit Show Society.
- Turners Rhubarb Cider won the mixed/blended cider category
- Turners Pear Cider won the pear/perry category
- Sandford Orchards Devon Red won the traditional cider category
The competition was run over the summer and the public nominated over 100 different ciders from across the UK. This year the competition had the highest number of different ciders nominated in its five-year history. The finalists were judged in a blind tasting in September by a panel of expert judges, including food broadcaster Nigel Barden, drinks writer Melissa Cole and Adrian Harris, Principle Scientific Assistant, Entomology at NIAB East Malling. The winners were announced at the National Fruit Show on 3rd November.
Sarah Calcutt, Executive Chair of The National Fruit Show, comments: “We were very excited to have such a high number of different ciders nominated from around the UK and the range of ciders now available is testament to how the industry has grown. Cidermakers are incredibly innovative and there are several new styles and flavours, therefore the appeal of ciders with consumers is very broad and growing steadily.”
“In terms of the ingredients that go into cider, the apples and pears which have been grown this summer here in Kent and across the West Country are packed with flavour, thanks to a successful growing season, and this will help all producers to continue with their innovation over the coming year. Cider production is a very exciting sector here in the UK and it is providing an additional revenue stream for fruit growers and helping to ensure that the fruit not used for eating goes into production, reducing waste. It’s an exciting sector and one we are pleased to support”.
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