Just The Juice Summer 2009

Cider and Perry
As producers begin to sample their ciders and perries following their winter fermentation period let’s hope their joy and satisfaction is as great as CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry winners as judged at Reading in May.  The results were:
Cider

• GOLD - Gwatkin, Yarlington Mill (Abbey Dore,Herefordshire)
• SILVER (Joint) - Orchards, Wye Cider (Brockweir, Gloucestershire)
• SILVER (Joint) - Rosie's Triple D Cider (Llandegla, Denbighshire)

Perry

• GOLD - Broadoak Perry (Clutton, Somerset)
• SILVER - Seidr Dai Painted Lady Perry (Cardiff, Glamorgan)
• BRONZE - Gwatkin Blakeney Red (Abbey Dore,Herefordshire)

If you know of cider or perry being made on the Island then let me know as I’m happy to visit and possibly even write a piece about you in a future newsletter.

Meanwhile I would like to clarify some myths:

Firstly real cider and perry is generally a draught product it certainly isn’t bottled and bubbly and should not be served over ice which dumbs down the flavour. 

Secondly as cider is made from apples so perry is made from pears – the creation of the term ‘pear cider’ is as cobbled together as Frankenstein’s monster and suggests the public can’t understand what perry is.  Let the clarity shine through and order your perry with pride knowing that you are not being lulled into a safe space by the marketing people employed by some large companies. 

Wishing you all a sunny and peaceful cider and perry hued summer
Gillian Williams