Cider World 2026
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending Cider World in Frankfurt as a judge and a speaker. This was my first time at this event, and there was so much to take in.
Day One consisted of the Cider World Awards Competition Judging and a beautiful Txotx featuring the guest country. Served family style, this 4-course meal was more of an interactive story than a dinner. Beginning with Txistorra taloa, moving on to anchovies prepared three ways, then the star of the show: an open-flame-grilled T-bone steak. All of this capped with Basque cheeses and shelled walnuts. Cider in txotx style was available for all to enjoy from Petritegi, Zapiain, and Gurutzeta. Not only did the pairings work, but the atmosphere also sealed the deal, solidifying my belief that we eat with our eyes first and controlling the environment can have amazing impacts on the experience of a meal.
Day 2 was the Cider World Forum, Cider World Preview, and CiderWorld Awards. The forum of education mini-sessions, held in a state-of-the-art movie theater on the top floor of a mall, featured The Heritage of Sagardoa, Marketing Standards: A European Definition of Cider, The Nordic Way of Selling Cider, Feeding Yeast for a Better Cider, and I was able to deliver an interactive presentation on Effective Cider and Food Pairing. Each presentation was delivered by an expert in their field, and you could tell that each speaker put real thought and attention into their presentation. They were both informative and engaging.
The Cider World Awards were a sight to behold! A stunning opening video gave way to cheers and hugs as awards were received for bronze, silver, and gold medal-winning ciders from around the globe. Having the opportunity to taste the award-winning ciders at the Cider World preview made this medal experience so meaningful for both the winners and the attendees. The most anticipated award came last, with its own teaser video that brought tears to many eyes. Tears of joy for the well-earned “Cider Star of the Year” Haritz Rodríguez. I am honored to work with such a talent and was so elated for him to receive this award.
Day 3 started with a Certified Pommelier™ Exam and led right into the Cider World Expo at the beautiful Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten. The expo gave cidermakers time to share their products with buyers, trade, and the general public, building excitement for cider throughout the city.
A huge thank you to Cider World for having me for the first time this year. What a joy to share cider education with the world and to continue to strengthen the bonds of the community of the World of Cider.
