Cider Sensory Workshops Coming to Canada with Licensed Educator Jenna Boucher

By Jennie Dorsey | March 5, 2026 |

The American Cider Association is bringing cider education to Canada this spring with a series of interactive cider sensory workshops designed to help participants taste cider like a professional.

Led by Canadian Licensed Educator Jenna Boucher, these hands-on workshops will take place in Victoria, Vancouver, and Ontario, offering beverage professionals and cider enthusiasts the chance to deepen their tasting skills and build confidence evaluating cider.

Whether you work in hospitality, retail, cider production, or simply want to understand cider on a deeper level, these workshops provide an engaging introduction to professional cider sensory analysis.

Learn to Taste Cider Like a Pro

Cider is one of the most diverse fermented beverages in the world, with flavor influenced by apple varieties, fermentation methods, orchard terroir, and regional traditions. Developing sensory skills helps tasters recognize these differences and communicate them clearly.

During these workshops, participants will learn how to:

  • Identify key cider aromas and flavor characteristics
  • Recognize common cider faults and off-aromas
  • Develop a structured tasting vocabulary
  • Understand cider styles and production influences
  • Evaluate cider using professional sensory techniques

The workshops include guided tastings, aroma training exercises, and practical evaluation methods used by cider professionals around the world.

Upcoming Cider Sensory Workshops in Canada

London, Ontario – Cider Sensory Workshop

Heeman’s Cellars- Cider Salon Canada
March 27th
2:00–4:30 PM

Set in Ontario’s growing cider community, this event takes place alongside Cider Salon Canada, an event featuring Ontario’s finest cidermakers. Taste the best orchard-based regional ciders and grow your palate and learn sensory evaluation techniques like a pro.

Victoria, British Columbia – Cider Sensory Workshop

Junction Orchard & Cidery
April 11
3:00–5:30 PM

Set among the orchards of Vancouver Island, this workshop provides a beautiful setting to explore cider aromas and flavors. Participants will taste through curated cider samples while learning professional sensory evaluation techniques.

Vancouver, British Columbia – Cider Sensory Workshop

Parallel 49 Brewing Company
May 7
6:30–9:00 PM

Join us in Vancouver for an evening cider tasting workshop focused on building sensory confidence. Through structured exercises and guided discussion, participants will learn how cider professionals evaluate aroma, flavor, and balance.

Meet the Educator: Jenna Boucher

These workshops are led by Canadian Licensed Educator Jenna Boucher, an award-winning cidermaker, judge, and Certified Pommelier™. Known for her approachable teaching style, Jenna helps participants break down complex sensory concepts into practical tasting skills.

Her experience across Canada’s cider industry makes her uniquely positioned to guide both professionals and enthusiasts through the nuances of cider flavor and aroma.

Who Should Attend?

These cider sensory workshops are ideal for:

  • Hospitality professionals
  • Sommeliers, Cicerones, and beverage directors
  • Retail buyers and bottle shop staff
  • Cidermakers and orchardists
  • Certified Pommelier™ candidates
  • Cider enthusiasts who want to deepen their knowledge

Participants will leave with stronger tasting skills, a deeper understanding of cider styles, and tools to confidently talk about cider in professional or social settings.

Expanding Cider Education in Canada

The American Cider Association continues to expand cider education programs across North America, helping build knowledge and appreciation for cider through certification programs, professional training, and public workshops.

Bringing sensory workshops to Canada reflects the growing interest in cider education, professional cider certification, and sensory training within the global cider community.

Join a Canadian Cider Workshop

Seats for these hands-on workshops are limited to ensure an engaging learning environment.

If you’ve ever wanted to improve your cider tasting skills, understand cider aromas, or learn professional sensory evaluation techniques, these workshops are the perfect place to start.

Come curious. Leave tasting cider like a pro.

Interested in learning more about global cider education programming? Email Director of Education Jennie@ciderassociation.org or visit our Certified Cider Professional™ educational programming pages.

Posted in Canada, CCP and tagged , , , , , , , ,

COVID Resources for Canadian Cideries

By Guest Contributor | March 27, 2020 |

Hello! This is Kristen Needham Jordan from Sea Cider in British Columbia, Canada. American Cider Association has asked me to compile COVID Crisis information for the benefit of the ACA’s Canadian members, so here goes…

I’m sure I have met many of you over the years at CiderCon, Cider Summits or cider events in Canada. For those who don’t know me, I am the owner/operator of a small orchard-based cidery on Vancouver Island called Sea Cider.  The COVID Crisis has hit Sea Cider hard, in several different ways, and while we are seeing an increase in sales through our online store, the overall impact has been a huge hit to our revenue and ability to cover our operating expenses.

Here are some parts of our COVID Crisis Plan:

  • The goal of our crisis management plan is to improve Sea Cider’s “cash on hand” position as quickly as possible. Financial support from lenders will work in tandem with other crisis management measures Sea Cider is taking to “weather this storm” and position ourselves to bring business back up to normal levels once the health crisis has passed.
  • Since sales through our Tasting Room, event sales, farmers markets, keg sales and all US sales have all stopped, we are focusing our sales & marketing efforts on our two remaining revenue streams:  direct-to-consumer online sales, and bottle wholesales within BC. We have laid off some staff, significantly reduced hours for production staff, switched to work at home for sales and administrative staff and are pursuing the following supports that have been announced in Canada:

Federal Government Support

Provincial Government of BC Support (*Note from Michelle: Do you have information about your province? Let us know–we’re happy to share here).

  • Health tax payments will be deferred until Sep 2020 with no penalties or interest:
  • PST payments will be deferred until Sep 30 2020
  • WCB Premium payments are being deferred
  • Rental support of $500/month that individuals may access if they are tenants

Banks and Lenders

  • Farm Credit Canada is setting in place both emergency lending and Interest payment deferral for farms with existing loans
  • Commercial banks, such as RBC and TD, are supposed to be offering interest payment deferrals, but credit limits have not been loosened so this may be difficult for companies to access who are already max’d out

Other Suppliers

  • BC Hydro is allowing businesses to defer payments. Contact them when your next bill arrives so your payment isn’t automatically processed from your bank account.
  • Finally, we have been talking to some of our key suppliers to stretch out payments

Other Useful Links

Good luck out there, and stay safe ~

In cider,

–Kristen.

Posted in Canada and tagged