Author: Selena Mitford

On receiving a bottle of our 2003, and another of our as yet unreleased 2017, Adam Wells has written this remarkable piece at ‘Malt’… https://malt-review.com/2020/05/16/bollhayes-2017-and-2003/?fbclid=IwAR3GVPMZp9XP87nxZJNb1JbrEEkTK2Je7O6MOhE9lOwihGKNUBEcRd266-4

Bollhayes will be offering tastings and sales at the following:

November 27th… Whiterow Farm Shop, ‘Great Christmas Taste Off’ 3.30 – 8pm. We will be offering tastings of the 2013 and 2014 Methode Traditionelle, and sales by the bottle amongst some of the West’s finest producers….a flying start to the Festive Season! Whiterow Farm, Standerwick Court, Beckington, Frome, BA11 6TN

November 28th…The Trading Post Farm Shop, Late night Christmas shopping and Tasting Evening 6.30 – 9pm… Winners of the ‘Muddy Stilettos Award 2019’, a fabulous Farm Shop and Deli with a really outstanding amount of lovely produce. Bollhayes will be serving tastings of the 2013 and 2014 and sales by the bottle.                                                      Trading Post Farm shop, Lopenhead, South Petherton TA13 5JH

November 30th…Cotford St Luke Christmas Fair at St Luke’s Community Centre 10am – 3pm. A great many lovely gifts and treats at this much loved Christmas Fair. Bollhayes will be offering tastings of our Traditional Method and Farmhouse ciders, and serving Farmhouse Cider by the glass and to take away, and the 2013 and 2014 Methode Traditionelle by the glass and by the bottle.                                                                        Cotford St Luke Community Centre, Cotford St Luke, Taunton TA4 1HX

December 4th… Withies Deli Late Night Christmas Shopping Event 5 – 8pm. A gem of a Deli in the heart of the Somerset Levels, with fine cheeses, extraordinary salamis, Sour dough bread baked daily, and a veritable mountain of Christmas gifts and goodies. Bollhayes will be serving tastings of our Methode Traditionelle Fine Cider and sales by the bottle. All other shops open too as well as the cafe.                                                                Coates English Willow, Meare Green, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 6HY

December 5th…Crossroads Stores, West Horsley Late night Christmas Shopping 6pm – 8pm. Glorious Deli and Cheese shop, with vintage gifts, Fine English Wines and Cheeses together with a wealth of delicious treats. There will be music, mince pies and tastings. Bollhayes will be serving our Methode Traditionelle Fine Cider…an excellent alternative to Champagne.                                                                                                                            Crossroads Stores West Horsley, 10 The Street, KT24 6AX

December 6th…Churchstanton School Christmas Fair 3.45 – 6.30pm, serving tastings of all our ciders, Farmhouse, Methode Traditionelle and  mulled cider by the glass. Sales also by the bottle to take away. Churchinford Village Hall, Churchinford, Taunton.

December 6th…Washingpool Farm Shop Festive Shopping Event 4 – 7pm. Come and have a browse, try and buy at their annual late night opening. With many local suppliers on hand this year to showcase their food, and with some great tasting opportunities and promotions, the evening promises to be a good one. Broadoak Singers will be carolling and the cafe will be open for hot drinks.                                                                    Washingpool Farm Shop, North Allington, Bridport, DT6 5HP

 

Hot on the heels of The Cider Salon Bristol, we are soon to be at The Fine Cider Summer Tasting at The Store X, 180 The Strand, London.

Felix Nash of The Fine Cider Co says, “It will be perhaps the finest showcase of ciders & perries London has ever seen, and is a rare chance to taste across the spectrum – the flavour map of cider at its best – poured and elucidated by the makers themselves.”

Tickets and more details can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-fine-cider-summer-tasting-tickets-46317128779

 

After a wonderful morning’s tasting, consulting Alex’s cider-making notes and writing up tech sheets for each vintage, we are very happily, ready for The Cider Salon on Saturday at The Old Market Assembly, Bristol.

Tickets and information about The Cider Salon here: http://www.cidersalon.co.uk/

…amidst tough competition…. The wealth and diversity of fine bottled ciders seen at the championships speaks of a new wave of availability and appreciation of artisan cider. Farmhouse cider is fabulous, no question (our dry and sweet farmhouse won first prize at the Devon County Show), but there is so much more to cider now. Producers are vying with wines and spirits on every level, from Pét Nat, Méthod Traditionelle, Keeved, Perry, Pommeau, Ice & Fire and Eau de Vie. There are ciders with which to celebrate, to complement and pair with food, or simply to drink with great pleasure.

…Chilly, but perfect to help keep the bubbles in and to force the sediment out.

Tick….tick….tick till Monday, watching the weather and monitoring the temperature.