A HARCOURT cidermaker has won an award for one of it beverages.
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Henry of Harcourt in Reservior Road took out the champion cider award for the autumn program of the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards.
The business' Kingston Black '13 was one of 351 entries from 115 exhibitors in six categories, including cider and perry, table olives, pantry goods, pasta, fresh produce featuring garlic and chocolate.
Victorian producers lead the way, winning eight of the 14 major trophies awarded.
The awards celebrate excellence in the food and produce industry.
Henry of Harcourt cidermaker Drew Henry said the award recognised the care given to growing the apple the cider was made from. He said the Kingston Black '13 had won multiple awards in the past.
"We are different. We grow cider apples and make our cider from those," he said.
"Cider apples are very unpleasant to eat because of the tannin which makes them bitter, however these are the components that give you the colour and flavour.
"It's a good dark colour, has complex characteristics and goes well with food like a red wine."
Mr Henry said many ciders were made from apples which were sold in supermarkets. He said cider had been around for many years and traditionally was made from apples grown specifically for the purpose.
Mr Henry said he currently had about three to four ciders but the Kingston Black '13 was the best.
"Good quality cider comes from the right apples. Winning this award really reinforces that we are growing a quality apple," Mr Henry said.
However, Mr Henry said the Kingston Black was a difficult apple to grow.
"It's a devil of a thing to grow. It's not easy, it's small and grows in a funny way on the tree."
Mr Henry said the business offered tastings and he wanted to educate people about cider.
"Cider has a long history. People are being conned, I don't want that," he said.
Henry of Harcourt is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm.
For more information, visit www.henrycider.com