Venturing into cider production continues to be fruitful for the Niagara College Teaching Winery.
The NC Teaching Winery has won two new medals at the 2022 U.S. Open Cider Championship: a gold for Cidre Fermier (farmhouse cider) in the Heritage Cider category, and a bronze for its popular Cider 101 in the Modern Cider – Sweet category.
“We’re proud of our Teaching Winery’s continued success – not only as an established leader for wine but for craft cider production,” said Steve Gill, General Manager of the College’s Learning Enterprises. “Above all, these latest international awards are a tremendous win for our students, who gain hands-on experience producing high-quality products that are recognized among the best in the world.”
This was the fifth gold medal NC has won at the U.S. Open Cider Championship and the fifth medal at the competition for its original and flagship Cider 101. Since it debuted at the College’s Teaching Winery in 2015 – its first cider release – Cider 101 has won four gold medals at the U.S. Open. In 2021, it became the first cider in the history of the competition to achieve four gold medals.
“Winning awards is a testament to the effort, innovation and quality of the Niagara College winemaking program,” said College Winemaker Allison Findlay.
Students from NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program are involved with cider production, as well as winemaking. The Teaching Winery released its first cider, Cider 101, in 2015.
“What began as an educational tool, is now a chance to showcase to students and the public what is happening here that will positively impact the entire cider industry,” said Findlay. “We are always trying traditional and new methods of cider production and learning what works and what can be improved upon.”
Former College Winemaker Gavin Robertson (who recently took on a faculty position at the College) oversaw the production of the award-winning ciders.
“Cider 101 uses a seasonal blend of good quality Ontario apples made in a fruit-forward, crowd-pleasing way that balances freshness with a touch of sweetness and soft bubble,” said Robertson.
“Cidre Fermier is a blend of five rare French and Quebecois traditional cider apple varieties from the 2019 vintage, sourced from Vineland Research Station orchards, that impart a ton of natural tannin structure making for a dry, age-worthy, really serious cider product that has more in common with Champagne then it does with most pub ciders on the market.
“Fermented in bottle and aged on lees for nearly two years before release, it has dense fruit and spice aromatics with a full-bodied, palate and creamy mousse that can stand up to substantial fish or pork dishes.”
2022 marked the eighth year for the U.S. Open Cider Championship, which drew more than 290 entries representing 25 different cider styles from cideries, wineries and breweries.
The first round of judging was held in Buffalo, New York and the final round was held in Oxford, Ohio. The judges were from the NC Teaching Winery, NC Teaching Brewery and cideries in the Niagara area. Judging in the U.S. Open Cider Championships is blind; the judges do not know what ciders they are tasting.
For details and the complete list of winners from the 2022 U.S. Open Cider Championships, visit usopencider.com.
NC ciders, including Cider 101, are available for purchase alongside wine, beer and spirits from the College’s Learning Enterprises (NC Teaching Winery, NC Teaching Brewery and NC Teaching Distillery), at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre retail store, located at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (135 Taylor Rd.), or online at niagaracollegewine.ca. Proceeds from product sales from the College’s Learning Enterprises support student learning.
