Fruitful summer Hot weather puts cider harvest ahead of schedule

NORTH Somerset cider producer Thatchers has launched its earliest harvest on record a full 10 days ahead of schedule due to this year's prolonged, sweltering summer.

- Post REPORTER

For the first time in more than 120 years of cider production, the Thatchers crew have started gathering apples from their 550 acres of orchards before the August bank holiday.

The prolonged sunshine has yielded apples brimming with taste, containing abundant sugars and tannins and guaranteeing exceptional quality.

Discussing this year's yield, Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider producer, said: "We're particularly excited about this year's harvest. Thanks to the hot summer, the apples are packed full of flavour, rich with sugars and deep, full-bodied tannins.

"That's going to be really exciting when it comes to blending, as traditional bittersweet apples bring the tannins and full body, while dessert apples, such as our favourite Katy, add freshness and sweetness - combined they create delicious blends like our signature cider, Thatchers Gold."