SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Dorset Nectar wins Cider Cup

THE eighth South Somerset Cider Sampling at Hinton St George village hall was another successful event.

The annual event on Friday (September 9, 2016) was as popular as ever as members of the public were handed tickets to sample the many ciders on display in return for a modest entrance fee.

Ciders on offer ranged from one person artisan producers to larger concerns such as Perry's and Burrow Hill.

This year saw the introduction of a competition for the best Farmhouse Cider, the winner to be awarded a traditional, hand-made, two handled cider mug made by local potter Les Farris.

The award is named the Gill Esp Cup in honour of a well-loved Hinton resident who died last year.

Gill's daughter Catherine joined the judging panel of renowned cider brandy maker Julian Temperley, author, poet and cider expert James Crowther and David Stagg visiting from Australia where he is a leading cider maker and proprietor of the Daylesford Cider Company.

The inaugural winner of the Gill Esp Cup was Dorset Nectar Cider from Bridport.  Local producer Nigel Witcombe, of Merriott, was a close runner up with his Hizzen Cider.

Matthew Bryant, joint organiser of the event with Kenton Bourne, said: “We feel that the South Somerset Cider Sampling is now an established part of the Somerset cider scene.

“It was a great to be joined by new producers such as Nigel Witcombe and Harry's Cider too, and also to have an international judging panel with David Stagg.

“Dorset Nectar were worthy winners of the Gill Esp Cup and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.”

Matthew added: “Dorothy's Tearoom from Hinton provided food and the event will have raised several hundred pounds which will be divided between Hinton’s village hall and church, but with half the proceeds going to Cancer Research in memory of Gill Esp.”

Next year’s event will take place at Hinton St George village hall on Friday, September 8, 2017.

PHOTO – TOP: Catherine, daughter of Derek and the late Gill Esp, presents the cup for Best Farmhouse Cider named in memory of her mother, to Dante Strong of Bridport's Dorset Nectar Cider.  

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