Showerings Cider has started its 2024 apple harvest, but it seems this year’s crop will be significantly affected by extreme weather conditions of the past 12 months.
Nick Showering in the family orchard
The 2023-24 winter — the eighth wettest on record in the UK — brought significant challenges to Somerset growers, with Showerings anticipating a potential apple shortage across the county as a result.
This year’s harvest is expected to yield approximately 200 tons of Dabinett apples, marking a two-thirds reduction compared to the 600 tons of typical years. Localised adverse weather, coupled with the strain of three consecutive strong harvests, has weakened apple trees, diminishing their output.
In Showerings’ orchard, waterlogged soil during the winter months hindered air circulation to the roots, resulting in some root decay and increased susceptibility to disease. Despite these challenges, expert pruning and care have restored the affected trees to a healthy state.
While the yield is expected to be lower, Showerings is well positioned to manage the shortfall. As a triple-vintage producer, the company can draw on a reserve of aged cider from previous harvests, ensuring a consistent supply even in a lean year.
“We are expecting an apple shortage from our orchard this year, but a smaller harvest doesn’t mean a compromise in quality,” said Nick Showering, director of Showerings. “In fact, the apples are in superb condition.
“Although it’s still too early to determine the precise flavour profile of this year’s crop, our centuries of cider-making expertise tell us that these ‘off’ years often yield slightly larger apples, which can bring unique qualities to our cider. We’re optimistic about the distinctive characteristics this harvest will contribute.”
Showerings Cider only uses Dabinett apples grown in a single orchard seven miles from its mill in Shepton Mallet. The cider is a tribute to Somerset’s superb terroir and the Showering family’s deep-rooted cider-making expertise. Like fine wine, Showerings Cider is blended using time-honoured techniques.
The current release is made by combining the unique characteristics of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 apple harvests. The triple vintage blend is testament to the art of cider making, where the terroir and annual weather conditions impart distinctive qualities to each vintage.
A sun-soaked summer or an excessively wet autumn or winter shapes the soil and growing environment, resulting in nuanced flavours, from crisp and sharp to mature and bittersweet.
