Account Registration
You can create your account today through Friday, April 17, 2020 at 23:59, PDT.
Judges and stewards may register now through Monday, April 27, 2020 at 00:00, PDT.
Entry Registration
Entry registration is closed.
Judging Categories
Click or tap on the name to view the category's requirements.
Entry Acceptance Rules
We will send a bill to you once you have entered your ciders.
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY! Thank you!
You can disregard the information below that says to put labels in ziplock bags and line your box with a plastic bag -- this information is not editable on the software we use for the competition! NO LABELS THIS YEAR!!!
Each entry will consist of:
THREE capped or corked bottles if 750 ml
FOUR capped or corked bottles if 500 ml, 22 or 16 oz
SIX cans if 12 oz
Please fill out the entry forms completely. Be meticulous about noting any special ingredients that must be specified per the PICC Style Guidelines. Failure to note such ingredients may impact the judges' scoring of your entry.
Judges will receive the information you put on your entry forms (please do not submit any information that will make it easy for judges to guess the name of your cidery), make sure you indicate the correct sweetness and carbination, and make note of anything special that you think would be helpful to the judges.
Please make sure to enter your ciders in the correct categories. If you have questions about what the correct category might be, contact MJ at info@nwcider.com or 415-572-3973.
Cideries may enter as many ciders per category as they want. Please only enter each cider into a single category.
Shipping Info
Entry bottles accepted at our shipping location from Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 09:00, PDT through Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 17:00, PDT.
Ship entries to:
Oregon State University, Portland Center, FOR PICC
555 SW Morrison St, 2nd Floor, Portland OR 97204
Packing and Shipping
Carefully pack your entries in a sturdy box. Line the inside of your carton with a plastic trash bag. Partition and pack each bottle with adequate packaging material. Please do not over pack!
Write clearly: Fragile. This Side Up. on the package. Please only use bubble wrap as your packing material.
Enclose each of your bottle labels in a small zip-top bag before attaching to their respective bottles. This way it makes it possible for the organizer to identify specifically which entry has broken if there is damage during shipment.
Every reasonable effort will be made to contact entrants whose bottles have broken to make arrangements for sending replacement bottles.
If you live in the United States, please note that it is illegal to ship your entries via the United States Postal Service (USPS). Private shipping companies have the right to refuse your shipment if they are informed that the package contains glass and/or alcoholic beverages. Be aware that entries mailed internationally are often required by customs to have proper documentation. These entries might be opened and/or returned to the shipper by customs officials at their discretion. It is solely your responsibility to follow all applicable laws and regulations.
Judging Locations and Dates
TBD
TBD
Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 08:30, PDT
Best of Show
Winner of the Best of Show will be given the Cup with their cidery and cider name engraved on the plinth to display in their cidery for the upcoming year.
Awards
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2020 in Portland, at a to be determined location.
Category Medals:
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three scoring ciders in each category. In the extremely unlikely event that all the entries in a particular category scored very low, the category judges may decide to award no medals, or a combination of specific medals. For instance, there may be a bronze medal to the top scorer in a category and no silver and gold medals. A maximum of one gold, one silver and one bronze may be awarded per category. This award system is in contrast to GLINTCAP which awards medals based on merit with multiple gold, silver and bronze awards per category.
Other Awards:
Best of Show: Gold medals from each category will advance to the Best of Show competition for which a single winner will be selected by the lead judges from each judging group.
Large Cidery of the Year: The cidery awarded the most number of medal points (weighted with gold as 5 points, silver as 3 points, and bronze as 1 point) producing over 250,000 gallons per year in the previous tax reporting year will win the Large Cidery of the Year award. Entrants must specify total annual production in gallons to be eligible for this award.
Medium Cidery of the Year: The cidery awarded the most number of medal points (weighted with gold as 5 points, silver as 3 points, and bronze as 1 point) producing over 10,000 gallons per year but less than 250,000 gallons per year in the previous tax reporting year will win the Large Cidery of the Year award. Entrants must specify total annual production in gallons to be eligible for this award.
Small Cidery of the Year: The cidery awarded the most number of medal points (weighted with gold as 5 points, silver as 3 points, and bronze as 1 point) producing under 10,000 gallons per year in the previous tax reporting year will win the Small Cidery of the Year award. Entrants must specify total annual production in gallons to be eligible for this award.
Best New Cidery of the Year: The new cidery awarded the most number of medal points (weighted with gold as 5 points, silver as 3 points, and bronze as 1 point) will win the Best New Cidery of the Year award. Entrants must specify a company start date after June 1, 2018 to be eligible for this award. This awards also comes with a $500 cash prize!
Additional prizes may be awarded to those winners present at the awards ceremony at the discretion of the competition organizers.
Results will be posted to the competition web site after the ceremony concludes.
Awards Ceremony
OSU Portland Center
555 SW Morrison St, 2nd Floor, Portland OR 97204
Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 17:00, PDT
FG < 1.007
Entry Info: FG < 1.007 (< 1.8 Brix)
Comments: Exhibits characteristics of ciders commonly made from dessert or culinary apples. High tannin, bitersweet/bittersharp apple character should not be present.
Appearance: Clear to brilliant, pale to gold in color.
Aroma/Flavor: Sweet or low-alcohol ciders may have apple aroma and flavor. Dry ciders will be more wine-like with some esters. Sugar and acidity should combine to give a refreshing character, neither cloying nor too austere. Medium to high acidity.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Some tannin may be present for slight to moderate astringency, but little bitterness.
Overall Impression: Variable, but should be refreshing drink. Sweet ciders must not be cloying. Dry ciders must not be too austere. An ideal cider serves well as a “session” drink, and suitably accompanies a wide variety of food.
Apple Varieties: Winesap, Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Jonathan, Newtown Pippin, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, Northern Spy, Russets, Baldwin
Commercial Examples: Seattle Cider – Dry, CiderRiot! – Everyday, Tod Creek – Tod Cider
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (petillant or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium). It is the choice of the entrants to decide which sweetness category to enter. Judges will not perform their own gravity readings but will expect perceived sweetness levels based on the category.
FG > 1.007
Entry Info: FG > 1.007 (> 1.8 Brix)
Comments: Exhibits characteristics of ciders commonly made from dessert or culinary apples. High tannin, bitersweet/bittersharp apple character should not be present.
Appearance: Clear to brilliant, pale to gold in color.
Aroma/Flavor: Sweet or low-alcohol ciders may have apple aroma and flavor. Dry ciders will be more wine-like with some esters. Sugar and acidity should combine to give a refreshing character, neither cloying nor too austere. Medium to high acidity.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Some tannin may be present for slight to moderate astringency, but little bitterness.
Overall Impression: Variable, but should be refreshing drink. Sweet ciders must not be cloying. Dry ciders must not be too austere. An ideal cider serves well as a “session” drink, and suitably accompanies a wide variety of food.
Apple Varieties: Winesap, Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Jonathan, Newtown Pippin, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, Northern Spy, Russets, Baldwin
Commercial Examples: Portland Cider Company – Apple, Anthem – Anthem Cider, 2 Towns – Bright Cider
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (petillant or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (medium, medium sweet, sweet). It is the choice of the entrants to decide which sweetness category to enter. Judges will not perform their own gravity readings but will expect perceived sweetness levels based on the category.
FG < 1.007
Entry Info: FG < 1.007 (< 1.8 Brix)
Comments: Exhibits characteristics of ciders commonly made from heirloom apples; both traditional European & American cider varieties and dual-purpose apples. GLINTCAP says a Heritage cider "is made primarily from multi-use or cider-specific bittersweet/bittersharp apples, with wild or crab apples sometimes used for acidity/tannin balance. These ciders will generally be higher in tannin than New World—Modern ciders. These ciders will generally lack the malolactic fermentation (MLF) flavor notes often found in English ciders."
Appearance: Clear to brilliant, pale to deep gold in color.
Aroma/Flavor: Sweet or low-alcohol ciders may have apple aroma and flavor. Dry ciders will be more wine-like with some esters. Sugar and acidity should combine to give a refreshing character, neither cloying nor too austere. Medium to high acidity.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Some tannin should be present for moderate to full astringency, but little bitterness.
Overall Impression: Should exhibit more distinctive apple character than a Modern Cider. GLINTCAP says “Should not be bland or watery”. Sweet ciders must not be cloying. Dry ciders must not be too austere. An ideal cider serves well as a “session” drink, and suitably accompanies a wide variety of food.
Apple Varieties: Blend can include culinary apples, multi-use (Northern Spy, Russets, Baldwin, Newtown Pippen), American cider apple varieties, English and French bittersweets, crabapples, any suitable wildings.
Commercial Examples: Liberty Ciderworks – Columbia Crab SV, Scenic Road Cider Co – Dry, Merridale – House
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant, or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium). It is the choice of the entrants to decide which sweetness category to enter. Judges will not perform their own gravity readings but will expect perceived sweetness levels based on the category.
FG > 1.007
Entry Info: FG > 1.007 (> 1.8 Brix)
Comments: Exhibits characteristics of ciders commonly made from heirloom apples; both traditional European & American cider varieties and dual-purpose apples. GLINTCAP says a Heritage cider "is made primarily from multi-use or cider-specific bittersweet/bittersharp apples, with wild or crab apples sometimes used for acidity/tannin balance. These ciders will generally be higher in tannin than New World—Modern ciders. These ciders will generally lack the malolactic fermentation (MLF) flavor notes often found in English ciders."
Appearance: Clear to brilliant, pale to deep gold in color.
Aroma/Flavor: Sweet or low-alcohol ciders may have apple aroma and flavor. Dry ciders will be more wine-like with some esters. Sugar and acidity should combine to give a refreshing character, neither cloying nor too austere. Medium to high acidity.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Some tannin should be present for moderate to full astringency, but little bitterness.
Overall Impression: Should exhibit more distinctive apple character than a Modern Cider. GLINTCAP says “Should not be bland or watery”. Sweet ciders must not be cloying. Dry ciders must not be too austere. An ideal cider serves well as a “session” drink, and suitably accompanies a wide variety of food.
Apple Varieties: Blend can include culinary apples, multi-use (Northern Spy, Russets, Baldwin, Newtown Pippen), American cider apple varieties, English and French bittersweets, crabapples, any suitable wildings.
Commercial Examples: Montana CiderWorks – Darby Pub Cider, Wandering Aengus – Bloom
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant, or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (medium, medium sweet, sweet). It is the choice of the entrants to decide which sweetness category to enter. Judges will not perform their own gravity readings but will expect perceived sweetness levels based on the category.
FG < 1.007
Entry Info: FG < 1.007 (< 1.8 Brix)
Comments: This category includes the English “West Country” plus ciders inspired by that style. These ciders are made with bittersweet and bittersharp apple varieties cultivated specifically for cider making.
Appearance: Cloudy to brilliant. Gold to amber color.
Mouthfeel: Full. Moderate to high tannin apparent as astringency and some bitterness. Carbonation still to moderate, never high or gushing.
Aroma/Flavor: No overt apple character, but various flavors and esters that suggest apples. May have “smoky (bacon)” character from a combination of apple varieties and MLF. Some “Farmyard nose” may be present but must not dominate; mousiness is a serious fault.
Overall Impression: Generally dry, full-bodied, austere.
Apple Varieties: Kingston Black, Stoke Red, Dabinett, Foxwhelp, Yarlington Mill, various Jerseys, etc.
Commercial Examples: CiderRiot! – 1763, Alpenfire Cider – Pirate’s Plank, Liberty Ciderworks – Porter’s Perfection SV
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still or petillant). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium). It is the choice of the entrants to decide which sweetness category to enter. Judges will not perform their own gravity readings but will expect perceived sweetness levels based on the category.
FG > 1.007
Entry Info: FG > 1.007 (> 1.8 Brix)
Comments: This category includes the English “West Country” plus ciders inspired by that style. These ciders are made with bittersweet and bittersharp apple varieties cultivated specifically for cider making.
Appearance: Cloudy to brilliant. Gold to amber color.
Mouthfeel: Full. Moderate to high tannin apparent as astringency and some bitterness. Carbonation still to moderate, never high or gushing.
Aroma/Flavor: No overt apple character, but various flavors and esters that suggest apples. May have “smoky (bacon)” character from a combination of apple varieties and MLF. Some “Farmyard nose” may be present but must not dominate; mousiness is a serious fault.
Overall Impression: Generally dry, full-bodied, austere.
Apple Varieties: Kingston Black, Stoke Red, Dabinett, Foxwhelp, Yarlington Mill, various Jerseys, etc.
Commercial Examples: Montana CiderWorks – North Fork Traditional, Tieton Cider Works – Wild Washington
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still or petillant). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (medium, medium sweet, sweet). It is the choice of the entrants to decide which sweetness category to enter. Judges will not perform their own gravity readings but will expect perceived sweetness levels based on the category.
Entry Info: Comments: This category includes Normandy styles plus ciders inspired by those styles, including ciders made by various techniques to achieve the French flavor profile. These ciders are made with bittersweet and bitter-sharp apple varieties cultivated specifically for cider making. Traditional French procedures may use small amounts of salt and calcium compounds (calcium chloride, calcium carbonate) to aid the process of pectin coagulation. These compounds may be used, pre- fermentation, but in limited quantity. It is a fault if judges can detect a salty or chalky taste.
Appearance: Clear to brilliant, gold to chestnut color.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full, mouth filling. Moderate tannin apparent mainly as astringency. Carbonation moderate to champagne-like, but at higher levels it must not gush or foam.
Aroma/Flavor: Fruity character/aroma. This may come from slow or arrested fermentation (in the French technique of keeving) or approximated by back sweetening with juice. Tends to a rich fullness.
Overall Impression: Dry-bodied, rich.
Apple Varieties: Nehou, Muscadet de Dieppe, Reine des Pommes, Michelin, etc.
Commercial Example: EZ Orchards – Cidre
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (petillant or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected.
Entry Info: Comments: Cider or Perry with the addition of hops.
Appearance: Slight haze to brilliant; pale to deep gold in color.
Aroma/Flavor: Must have hop aroma, hop flavor may be present. Hop bitterness should be light and may be nonexistent. Hop varieties may provide aromas of tropical/fruity/citrusy or woody/piney or grassy/herbal/floral. Varies from dry to sweet. May have apple aroma and flavor. The sweetness of sweet hopped ciders should accentuate hop profile and should not be too cloying.
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Hops may provide some bittering. Some tannin may be present for slight astringency.
Overall Impression: Should be a moderately complex drink. A distinct hop aroma must be present. Note that freshly-hopped ciders (using wet/fresh hops) may exhibit distinctly different aromas and flavors (grassy, plant-y) than using dried hops. Should be easy to drink and pair well with food.
Apple/Pear Varieties: Made with fruit common to the base style.
Commercial Examples: Square Mile – Hopped Apple Cider, 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Hop & Stalk, Finnriver – Dry Hopped Cider
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Perry, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (petillant or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected. Entrants MUST specify hop variety (Cascade, Amarillo, Citra, Chinook, Simcoe, etc.).
Entry Info: Comments: Varies from Modern to English to French to Spanish style in presentation but overriding all should be complexity of the fermentation and potentially noticeable yet not overriding “faults”. Aromas/flavors such as band-aid, rotting leaves and farmyard may not be considered a fault in this category provided the overall drink is enjoyable, in balance, and those aromas/tastes are subtle.
Appearance: Varies from cloudy to brilliant, pale to amber in color.
Mouthfeel: Body varies. Tannins may contribute astringency.
Aroma/Flavor: May include yeasty/bready notes, souring/puckering, rotting apples, moldy cheese. Sulphur/H2S is not acceptable except in minor amounts and not out of balance.
Overall Impression: The greatest capacity for expression exists in the judge’s overall impression. For instance, if the entrant notes describe a pediococcus fermentation, the judges will look for corresponding flavors.
Apple/Pear Varieties: Made with fruit common to the base style.
Commercial Examples: Wildcraft – Farmhouse Dry, Reverend Nat’s – original Sacrilege Sour Cherry (with lactobacillus)
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected. If using commercial yeast cultures, entrants MUST specify the cultures used, for instance: brettanomyces bruxellensis or lactobacillus.
Entry Info: Comments: Ciders with ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and occasionally light citrus, frequently “winter spice." Aroma and flavor should balance herbs or spices used with the flavors of the cider.
Appearance: Varies from cloudy to brilliant, pale to amber in color.
Aroma/Flavor: Entry form must specify the herbs and/or spices used and the judging will be based on the expectations set by the form. Examples include cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves, ginger, hot pepper, raisins. Spices/herbs used must be in balance and the flavor of apple cider must be present.
Mouthfeel: Body varies and may linger due to flavors added.
Overall Impression: Should be a moderately complex drink.
Apple/Pear Varieties: Made with fruit common to the base style.
Commercial Examples: Square Mile – Ginger Pear Apple Cider, Wards Hard Cider – Ginger Apple Cider,
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Perry, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, semi dry, semi sweet, sweet). Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected. Entrants MUST specify all herbs and/or spices used.
Entry Info: Comments: Ciders where ginger/cinnamon/nutmeg and the like are not dominant, i.e. lavender, mint, tea, herbal, etc.Aroma and flavor should balance herbs or spices used with the flavors of the cider.
Appearance: Varies from cloudy to brilliant, pale to amber in color.
Aroma/Flavor: Entry form must specify the herbs and/or spices used and the judging will be based on the expectations set by the form. Examples include cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves, ginger, hot pepper, raisins. Spices/herbs used must be in balance and the flavor of apple cider must be present.
Mouthfeel: Body varies and may linger due to flavors added.
Overall Impression: Should be a moderately complex drink.
Apple/Pear Varieties: Made with fruit common to the base style.
Commercial Examples: Botanical: La Familia – Jamaica-Hibiscus, Finnriver – Habanero, Seattle Cider – Basil Mint
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Perry, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected. Entrants MUST specify all herbs and/or spices used.
Entry Info: Comments: Barrel aged, wood chips, spirals and cubes may be used. Non-oak wood should be noted on the entry form. Ciders must exhibit some flavors or aromas of wood aging.
Appearance: Varies from cloudy to brilliant, pale to chestnut in color.
Mouthfeel: Body should linger and the underlying cider should contribute. Thin watery ciders with oak additions may not provide enough body.
Aroma/Flavor: The base cider type should be in balance with the wood flavors present. Wood flavors that overwhelm the base cider would be considered a fault. Non-saccharomyces flavors may be present but should be subtle (“smoky bacon” from MLF). Wine or spirit character from previous use may be present and should be complimentary to the cider. Wine or spirit character should not be dominant.
Overall Impression: Wood and oak flavors should complement the original base cider instead of trying to provide flavor for a base cider without any. Flavors should be in balance but the cider may be somewhat challenging to drink.
Apple/Pear Varieties: Made with fruit common to the base style.
Commercial Examples: Swift Cider – Peach Oak (gold), Finnriver – Firebarrel Cider, Apple Outlaw – Heritage
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Perry, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, semi dry, semi sweet, sweet). Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected. Entrants MUST specify wood used, including type of spirits barrel if applicable.
Entry Info: (Organizers will judge each of the subcategories separately if number of entries warrants. Subcategory division will be made solely at the discretion of the judges and competition organizers and may be done as late as the day of the judging. Entrants MUST specify one of the following subcategories.)
Subcategories: 1. Pear cider (not perries, see perry categories) 2. Cherry cider (pie or sweet cherries) 3. Stone fruit ciders (peaches, apricots, plums, mangos) 4. Cane fruit ciders (raspberries, blackberries, marionberries, etc.) 5. Other berries or fruits (blueberries, currants, cranberries, banana, orange, etc.)
Appearance: Typically colored due to fruit flavoring but not required. Varies from cloudy to brilliant. Adjuncts typically influence color and clarity.
Aroma/Flavor: Always fruity in flavor and aroma, but the ciders must remain cider-like in nature as opposed to fruit-flavored alcohol.
Mouthfeel: Depending on the fruit added, the cider may be simple and quick or linger. Puckering and astringency from fruit may be present but should be pleasing and in line with expectations from the fruit (e.g., mango cider should not be astringent, but cranberry should).
Overall Impression: The cider should generally be easily drinkable. Consumers should not have to hunt for the fruit flavor stated on the bottle, but the taste of cider must be present.
Apple/Pear Varieties: Made with fruit common to the base style.
Commercial Examples: 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Flight of the Kiwi, Buman’s Cider – Peach Raspberry, Tieton – Apricot
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify one of the fruit subcategories. Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MUST specify all added fruits. Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected.
Entry Info: Entrant notes are of utmost importance for ciders in this category. It will be up to the organizer’s discretion to reclassify entries in this category.
Commercial Examples: 2 Towns Ciderhouse – 6th Anniversary
Entry Requirements: Where no other category suits. Processes and ingredients that make the cider not suitable for any other category should be noted on the entry form. Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MAY specify variety of apple for a single varietal cider; if specified, varietal character will be expected. Ice cider and chapetilized cider would be candidates for this category.
Entry Info: Comments: Some culinary pears may contain significant amounts of sorbitol, in which case a “dry” perry may give an impression of sweetness due to sorbitol in the pears. Perception of sorbitol as “sweet” is highly variable from one person to the next. Hence, entrants should specify sweetness according to actual residual sugar amount, and judges must be aware that they might perceive more sweetness than how the perry was entered.
Appearance: Slightly cloudy to clear. Generally quite pale.
Aroma/Flavor: There is a pear character, but not obviously fruity. It tends toward that of a young white wine. No bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Relatively full, low to moderate tannin apparent as astringency.
Overall Impression: Mild. Only very slight acetification is acceptable. Mousiness, ropy/oily characters are serious faults.
Pear Varieties: Bartlett, Kiefer, Comice, Conference, etc.
Commercial Examples: Edenvale Winery – Eden Valley Orchards Pear House Cider, EZ Orchards – Poire
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant, or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet).
Entry Info: Comments: Made from pears grown specifically for fermentation rather than eating. Many perry pears are nearly inedible due to high tannins; some are also quite hard. Perry pears may contain substantial amounts of sorbitol, a non-fermentable sweet-tasting compound, hence a perry can be completely dry (no residual sugar) yet taste sweet. Note that a “dry” perry may give an impression of sweetness due to sorbitol in the pears, and a perception of sorbitol as “sweet” is highly variable from one person to the next. Hence entrants should specify sweetness according to actual residual sugar amount, and judges must be aware that they might perceive more sweetness than how the perry was entered.
Appearance: Slightly cloudy to clear. Generally quite pale.
Aroma/Flavor: There is a pear character, but not obviously fruity. It tends toward that of a young white wine. Some slight bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Relatively full, moderate to high tannin apparent as astringency.
Overall Impression: Tannic. Only very slight acetification is acceptable. Mousiness, ropy/oily characters are serious faults.
Pear Varieties: Butt, Gin, Brandy, Barland, Blackeney Red, Thorn, Moorcroft, etc.
Commercial Examples: Snowdrift Perry
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant, or sparkling). Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). If known, entrants must state the variety of pear(s) used if known.
Entry Info: Comments: Cider made from a single variety of apples.
Appearance: Varies from cloudy to brilliant, pale to chestnut in color.
Mouthfeel: Varies depending on apple used.
Aroma/Flavor: Varies depending on apple used.
Commercial Examples: Western Cider Mcintosh.
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MUST specify variety of apple, varietal character will be expected.
Entry Info: Comments: Cider made from a single variety of apples.
Appearance: Varies from cloudy to brilliant, pale to chestnut in color.
Mouthfeel: Varies depending on apple used.
Aroma/Flavor: Varies depending on apple used.
Commercial Examples: Cider Riot! Kingston Black.
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MUST specify variety of apple, varietal character will be expected.
Entry Info: Comments: Cider made from a single variety of apples.
Appearance: Varies from cloudy to brilliant, pale to chestnut in color.
Mouthfeel: Varies depending on apple used.
Aroma/Flavor: Varies depending on apple used.
Commercial Examples: Wandering Aengus Wickson.
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MUST specify variety of apple, varietal character will be expected.
Entry Info: Comments: Cider made from a single variety of apples.
Appearance: Light pink to deep red.
Mouthfeel: Varies depending on apple used.
Aroma/Flavor: Varies depending on apple used.
Commercial Examples: Snowdrift Red.
Entry Requirements: Entrants MUST specify the base style (Modern, Heritage, English, French, Wild/Non-Sac). Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still, petillant or sparkling). Carbonation should be typical of base style. Entrants MUST specify sweetness (dry, medium dry, medium, medium sweet, sweet). Entrants MUST specify variety of apple, varietal character will be expected.
