The overall trophy winner was Merrydown Medium Cider. Judges were Simon Russell from Inside Media, Helen Thomas from Westons Cider, David Sheppy from Sheppy’s Cider, drinks journalist Guy Thornton, cider historian James Crowden and PR consultant Deborah Collinson.
Chairman of the judges and Drinks International editor Christian Davis said: “We had cider from all over the world, including Czech Republic, US, South Africa and Canada. We were really pleased to have such a good response – especially from an international perspective. People think cider is an English drink but the competition demonstrates that it’s truly international.
“There’s a real sense of community in the cider industry and there is a need for this sort of competition. Judges regarded competitors’ products in a very positive way and I think the competition was appreciated by the cider community.”
Results:
Trophy Winner
Merrydown Medium Cider
Best in Category
Sweet Cider Premium
Westons Oak Conditioned Medium Sweet
Medium Cider – Mainstream
Mercury Artisan Cider
Medium Cider – Premium
Merrydown Medium Cider
Medium Cider – Super Premium
Stassen Excellence
Dry Cider – Premium
Waitrose Organic Vintage Cider
Perry/ Pear Cider Premium
Hogan’s Vintage Perry 2009
Organic, Fruit Cider and Specialities Premium
M&S Cider with Raspberry
Organic, Fruit Cider and Specialities Super Premium
Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider
Gold Winners
Neige Premiere, Ice Cider
Gaymers Stewley
Merrydown Medium Cider
Waitrose Organic Vintage Cider
Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider
Silver Winners
Maddens Mellow Armagh Cider
Westons Oak Conditioned Medium Sweet
Mercury Artisan
The Orchard Pig Medium 6.5%abv
Gaymers Newton Vale
Henry Weston Vintage 2009 Cider
Strongbow Clear
Woodgate Dry Amber Cider
Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Suffolk Cyder
Hogan's Vintage Perry 2009
Autumn Harvest Perry
Aspall Organic Suffolk Cyder
Bronze Winners
Kopparberg with Mixed Fruit
Kopparberg with Elderflower and Lime
Churchwards Original Cider
Strongbow Original
Mercury Draught
Brothers Bittersweet Apple Cider
Carsons Crisp Armagh Cider
Addlestones
Mad Apple
Autumn Harvest Cider
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference French Sparkling Cider
Aspall Draught Suffolk Cyder
Stassen Excellence
Tillington Hill
Waitrose Leckford Vintage Cider
Westons Oak Conditioned Medium Dry
M&S Vintage 2009 Cider
Merrydown Dry Cider
L'aunay Cidre 3yr old Brut Sparkling Champagne style
Aspall Premier Cru
Bulmers Pear
M&S Vintage Pear Cider
Katy Rose
Aspall Peronelle's Blush
Biddenden Special Reserve
Commended Winners
Bulmers Original
The Orchard Pig Medium 4.2%abv
Thatchers Gold
Friels
Gaymer's Devon
Gaymer's Somerset
Morrisons The Best Vintage
Westons Oak Conditioned Extra Dry
Orchard Hills Pear Cider
Stassen Cider-Pear
Biddenden Monks Delight
Design & Packaging
Gold Winners
Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider New
Carsons Crisp Armagh Cider
Thatchers Gold
Silver Winners
Green Goblin
Hogan's Vintage Perry 2009
Tillington Hill
Autumn Harvest Cider
Maddens Mellow Armagh Cider
Bronze Winners
Stassen Excellence
Brothers Bittersweet Apple Cider New
Stassen Cider-Apple New
Stassen Cider-Pear New
Brothers Tutti Frutti Cider New
Friels New
Strongbow Original
Strongbow Clear
Merrydown Medium Cider
Merrydown Dry Cider