- Elegantly presented in a 750ml sharing bottle, new Avalen from Cornish Orchards will be available from 30 March 2024.
- Offering a true taste of Cornwall, 5,000 bottles of this small batch will be available at selected Waitrose stores nationwide and online at www.cornishorchards.co.uk.
- Hand blended in collaboration with the winemaker at Camel Valley, Avalen has been created by local cider experts using 100% freshly pressed Cornish apples.
- Artisan cider is matured for over a year to develop flavour and aroma, with an ABV of 8.3% and RRP of £13.50.
- Premium cider is one of the fastest-growing segments within the cider category in the on-trade, growing by 13.1% vs 5.8% total category.
London: March 2024; Cornish Orchards, the award-winning premium cider company today announce the arrival of its naturally sparkling cider innovation, ‘Avalen’ exclusively for Waitrose. Made from 100% freshly pressed apples in the picturesque farm in Duloe, Cornwall, the small batch brew of 5,000 bottles have been hand-blended by a dedicated team of cider makers and expertise of Head Cider Maker, Chris Newton.
Avalen, meaning ‘apple tree’ in Cornish, is made with handpicked apples from the brand’s oldest orchard, which is named Keepscombe. It is available in an innovative sharing 750ml bottle with an ABV of 8.3%, at £13.50 (RRP).
Lightly sparkling and immensely refreshing with fruity apple tones, Avalen is matured for over a year to develop its premium flavour and aroma and offers the perfect accompaniment to sunnier days and summer social occasions. With a limited-edition batch of 5,000 bottles, Avalen is set to drive excitement among cider lovers with its unique and high-quality taste.
Dedicated to the brand’s ethos of encouraging consumers to ‘live and drink with Cornish spirit,’ Avalen is made from Cornish Long stem and Captain John Broad apples, two native Cornish cultivars. It is bottle fermented and processed in the same way as champagne at Cornish winery, Camel Valley. Avalen is best paired with simple seafood, such as crab and grilled white fish.
Chris Newton, Head Cider Maker, Cornish Orchards, said: “Avalen is a truly Cornish cider, highlighting the best of the region’s ingredients and artisanal brewing processes from the bustling seaside town of Looe. We are proud of its heritage in the UK and this launch is testament to the passion of our cider makers and the vision of our Head Cider Brewer, Chris Newton – who hope to delight Waitrose customers with this special cider offering.”
Cornish Orchards has a long-standing reputation of promoting environmental initiatives. This summer, the brand is also supporting 350 Cornish Orchards on-trade stockists with a sustainability themed consumer giveaway. Pubs and bars will be able to hand out ‘Create a Buzz’ kits that contain wildflower seeds, which support local biodiversity and bee populations. Consumers can redeem their kits from bar staff when they buy a Cornish Orchards cider.
Jourdan Gabbini, Cider Buyer for Waitrose said; “Attitudes to cider are changing and interest is growing. Our sales are up 10% over the past year, it is appearing on more restaurant menus and being talked about more on social media channels.
“So, I am thrilled that we are going to be selling this delicious, small batch cider. It has been carefully made with passion and attention to detail at every step and offers our customers something truly unique. It goes well with food and being naturally sparkling is a wonderful alternative drink to celebrate with.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information on Cornish Orchards Avalen, please contact:
Shoma Amin at Asahi UK – Shoma.Amin@asahibeer.co.uk +44 7788 345 806
About Cornish Orchards
Cornish Orchards’ story began in 1992 when its founder, Andy Atkinson, started farming dairy cattle at Westnorth Manor Farm in Liskeard, which is part of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate. In 1994, Andy planted three orchards on the farm as part of an apple scheme to protect and grow rare local varieties. Five years later, Andy blended and hand labelled Cornish apple juices, which became an immediate success. In 2002 the team made their first ciders. Today, Cornish Orchards is an enthusiastic team of thirty-five staff who produce premium, nature soft drinks and award-winning ciders. Its ciders are made with 100% fresh pressed apples and use only natural sugars. They do not contain any artificial colours, flavours, or sweeteners.
About Asahi UK
Asahi UK is a subsidiary of Asahi Europe & International and is responsible for sales, marketing and customer operations across the UK and Ireland. Though the portfolio of Super Premium Beer brands, Asahi UK enriches consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale, and cider brands, which include Peroni Nastro Azzurro (PNA), Asahi Super Dry (ASD, Meantime, Fuller’s London Pride and Cornish Orchards. The Woking based business is focused on developing quality, super premium brands and delivering commercial value in the marketplace, through a strong belief in collaboration, customer excellence and people development.
[1] CGA OPMS GB Value % Change, MAT 04.11.23
For further information on Cornish Orchards Avalen, please contact:
Shoma Amin at Asahi UK – Shoma.Amin@asahibeer.co.uk +44 7788 345 806
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