9th Annual Michigan Apple Cider Contest to be held December 7
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gretchen Mensing
(800) 456-2753
Michigan's best tasting cider will be named on Wednesday, December 7 at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo. The winner will be announced at the annual banquet held Wednesday evening. Judging will take place that afternoon as a part of Expo activities. The Michigan Apple Committee underwrites the contest, along with the Michigan State Horticultural Society.
The cider contest is a blind taste test with nine judges from the apple industry and media. Each judge savors each cider sample not knowing its origin, and then assigns it points based on eight criteria – appearance and color, aroma and bouquet, acidity and sweetness, sugar/acid balance, body, flavor, finish, and overall quality. A top ranking in each category earns the cider a perfect 20 points.
Bob Tritten, Michigan State University Extension's Southeast Michigan District Agent based in Flint, organized the cider contest in 1997.
The reigning Cider Maker of the Year is Mike Beck of Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. Johns. Second and third place winners were Hill Brother's Orchard in Grand Rapids and Verellen Orchards of Romeo, respectively.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.