Small Acres Cyder has been awarded ‘Best in Show’ at the prestigious Japan Cider Cup 2024 with their 2021 Small Acres Pommeau Apple Mistelle.
The Orange cider maker was one of the most successful producers at the show, also being awarded ‘Best in Class’ for their Small Acres Femme Fatale 2023 and for their newly released Small Acres Kingston Black 2023.
The Japan Cider Cup was launched in 2022 creating Japan’s leading international cider event. The competition is open to all domestic and international ciders. ‘Entered ciders are scored across multiple rounds of judging by various members of the general public in Japan, food and drink professionals, and notable guest cider experts from across the globe.’ The 2024 Japan Cider Cup welcomed entries from ten countries.
“We have been lucky to have been awarded several awards recently, with our Pink Lady Apple Cider named Champion Cider at Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show last year.
“Recently we’ve focussed on more boutique and single variety ciders, and we’re seeing a great response from our customers; they love to taste the unique character of these rarer apple varieties. Japan is an emerging cider market and their consumers like to seek out the best food and drink from around the world. We’re delighted with the success in our second year of entering the show.
“The latest releases are made from our estate grown apples and those from local Orange orchardists. The Orange region has a long history with growing apples and the knowledge and experience of some of our growers span generations. It’s an exciting time, and we’re thrilled to receive this international recognition.
“Our high altitude gives us long cold winters and our amazing soil is thanks to Mount Canobolas; a long-dormant volcano that left a legacy of amazing volcanic soil. These are perfect conditions for growing apples and fermenting cider. We grow around 900 trees comprising English and French varieties of cider apples and perry pears. Hundreds of years of careful selection have led to these cider varieties with the tannins, acidity and depth of flavour to produce world class ciders.”
“We are particularly excited to receive Best in Show for the Pommeau; it’s a unique fortified cider which is matured for over two years in French oak barrels. It’s a lovely drop but requires a lot of patience. Gaining this recognition makes all the waiting worthwhile.”
The Small Acres Cyder cellar door and cidery is located at Nashdale, on the outskirts of Orange. The region planted apples in 1875, with over 1600 hectares of orchards planted by 1945. While other agricultural pursuits have arisen in the region, the local growers would argue that Orange has the best growing conditions for apples anywhere in Australia.
Awards:
- Best in Show (International), Small Acres Pommeau Apple Mistelle 2021
- Best in Class (International), Modern Cider (Sweet), Small Acres Femme Fatale 2023
- Best in Class (International), Traditional, Cider (Dry), Small Acres Kingston Black 2023
- Silver Medal, Modern Cider (Sweet), Small Acres Pink Lady