With CiderFest just around the corner on Sunday, Nov. 2, Xpress has an exclusive update on the judges’ results for 2014 submissions. Blind cider samplings were conducted by two panels of French Broad Vignerons members, who awarded ribbons based on appearance, aroma, taste and overall quality.
Apparently, practice does make perfect in the world of fermenting. Windy Hill Cidery, a family-owned and operated orchard that has been producing hard cider in York, S.C., since 1996, earned the distinction of a double blue ribbon for two of its entries — Hoppin Johnny and Rusty Gold.
Ribbons were also awarded for the following ciders:
Blue Ribbons
Bold Rock Hard Cider (Nellysford, Va.) — Crimson Ridge Vat No. 1
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards (Hendersonville, N.C.) — Wallace
Naked Apple (Flat Rock, N.C.) — Wicked Peel
Red Ribbons
Blake’s Hard Cider Co. (Armada, Mich.) — Catawampus and Wassail
Noble Cider (Asheville, N.C.) — The Blue Bard
Bold Rock Hard Cider — Carolina Apple
Yellow Ribbons
Three Sisters Cidery (Hendersonville, N.C.) — Untitled
Results will be officially announced at CiderFest, but don’t let the judges’ evaluations deter you from sampling each 2014 offering to find the fermented apple of your eye.
Click here for more information on CiderFest.
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