Cider Country

My parents place in the Southern Tablelands of NSW is of significance not only because of my hop garden, but also because the region is rich in history ranging from bushrangers to gold mines. This history has left a legacy, and the area is literally covered with thousands of apple trees, mostly cider varieties in abandoned orchards and trees growing wild beside the road. The tree pictured to the left is one such tree and is estimated to be over 100 years old. It produces small tannin rich fruit which I aim to press and ferment into cider. I have also taken cuttings of this tree and a number of other trees in the area to propagate onto dwarf rootstock. I have also ordered some traditional West Country varieties to round out the flavour of any cider I brew. I don't have any aspirations to produce cider commercially and I will be happy if I can produce 360 odd bottles so I have to the option of having a bottle a day with dinner if I choose to. The whole area is undergoing a slight cider renaissance with a couple of commercial producers most notably the Sully's at "The Old Cheese Factory" who are scrumping old orchards and roadside bushes in the area for fruit. I visited The Cheese Factory over the weekend and sampled some of their cider at their cellar door, which I will post about tomorrow. For now take total care.