Milissa and I had a great trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan last weekend. Setting up for the Cider Sensory Seminar that I teach, along with Gary Awdey and Dick Dunn, was intense, but I think it was worry well spent. The seminar just keeps getting better.
Oh, and the competition results? ÆppelTreow took three medals for three entries. 100% medal rate!!
(Okay, they were all bronzes – but no traditional perry, like Orchard Oriole, got better than a bronze this year. And no brandies took a gold. Tough judges this year. We must have taught them too well 🙂
Charles and Milissa will be in Michigan this weekend to train cider judges, and steward and judge one of the worlds biggest cider-exclusive competitions.
Which means there will not be any appointments available this weekend.
Last weekend, we had a great Saturday on Navy Pier at Cider Summit Chicago. That’s right, we dragged our butts down to Illinois to see our fans, rather than vice versa.
It was a long day, with attendance about double expected. That made for lots and lots of pouring Barn Swallow on tap and Appely Doux and Perry from bottle. It was tiring, but great fun. We love to pour for lots of smiling people – and it was a terrific crowd. Special thanks to Cidery Friend and Bottling Corp member Aleta Hagman, who fetched us lunch.
I only managed to get one picture of my own, but I have a couple more sent by a long time fan from the Great Lakes Brewfest in Racine.
Can’t wait for next year.
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Come by the winery to try the new barrel : 12C03. Oh boy, did we get the fruit and spice thing going on this one.
Oh, wait – we’re open by appointment only right now. Well, to be honest, we’re doing a lot of winter work right now – so give a call and see if we’re there.
We had a great appearance on Wisconsin Foodie, along with our orchard partner, Bill Stone of Brightonwoods. We also had a lot of fun playing host to Bittercube.
To make room for another nifty product I’ve been working on, we’re retiring Cerise. Don’t worry – it’s replacement is just as nifty. Watch for it in the Spring of 2013.
We’ve been out of Cerise in the Tasting Room for some time. L’eft Bank Wine Co. has some, as of January 2013, so it should be possible to order through stores in WI, while their supply lasts.
I’m sorry to report that due to the Horrid and Torrid March of 2012, we lost all the crab apples that go into Cyser Rose’. We couldn’t make any at all.
L’eft Bank Wine Company is also out of Cyser – so if you see some on a store shelf, snatch it up. It’s rare stuff indeed.
We’re hoping for a good 2013 crop, so we can bring back Cyser in 2014.
