Independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards has just won gold for all four of their ciders entered into the Taste of the West Awards. These are Devon Rosé, Devon Red, Rib Tickler and The General.
Barny Butterfield, Chief Cidermaker at Sandford Orchards comments: “We are thrilled that the judges agree that these four ciders are truly gold medalists! They represent a broad spectrum of ciders from our flagship session cider, Devon Red to The General from our vintage range and our new blush cider, Devon Rosé. Although each one is quite different in style and appeal, they all have one thing in common. They are all top notch authentic ciders, lovingly created from apples grown and pressed in Devon, and these awards recognise that.”
The General is the Imperial Stout of Sandford Orchards’ vintage range. This super rich cider is bold and satisfying with the flavours of Seville orange, plum and baked apple. It is rich and rewarding with a long finish and is a superb complement to gamey meats or a fully-laden Sunday roast.
Devon Rosé Cider is an elegantly clean and fresh rosé cider, bursting with the fruitiness of Pinot Noir red wine grapes. It is a delicious, medium sweet cider made from Browns, Katja and Jane apple varieties which are fermented with grape skins to give the cider a fabulous depth of flavour and a beautiful blush colouring. It can be enjoyed on its own or as the ideal accompaniment for a goat cheese tart or Devon high tea.
Devon Red is a naturally tasty and utterly delicious, fresh apple cider made from apples grown and pressed in Devon. Devon Red is Sandford Orchards’ famous session cider.
Rib Tickler was originally crafted with players from the Exeter Chiefs as part of an initiative with The Rugby Players Association to raise money for charity. That legacy continues, as every bottle or pint sold raises money for The Wooden Spoon children’s rugby charity. Rib Tickler has rich aromas of honey and baked apple, ripe and buttery on the palate, with a moreish apple skin flavour, balanced with a crisp, natural acidity.
The Taste of the West Awards programme has been promoting and supporting the South West food and drink industry for over 30 years. It has grown to become the most prestigious food and drink awards programme in the South West. Each year they work with around 350 food and drink producers who enter their South West food and drink products into their awards programme to be tried and tested by their panel of independent industry experts.
Founded in 2002, independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards is based in Crediton, Mid Devon in the oldest working cider mill in the UK. The area has long been known as one of the most fertile parishes in all of Britain, both for its grazing and ability to grow apples. Crediton sits in the lee of the moors, so receives the right amount of rain and the right units of heat in summer.
Sandford Orchards takes a fresh, natural and low impact approach to producing cider. Combining tradition and innovation, Sandford Orchards produces an award-winning range of core session, traditional, fine and fruit ciders.
For further information on Sandford Orchards please visit www.sandfordorchards.co.uk, follow Sandford Orchards on X, Facebook and Instagram.
