Cheese, cider and chat at Devon’s Shute Festival
A LITERARY and gastronomic smorgasbord of artisanal cheese, local cider, and tales of cider history is coming to Shute Festival on 29 October.
Poet, cider-maker and writer James Crowden will be speaking about his newly published Cider Country with Western Morning News writer Martin Hesp.
And cheese and cider tasting will be on offer after the talk courtesy of Shutebased Lyme Bay Winery and Quicke’s. Mary Quicke will be coming herself to introduce the cheeses paired with the different varieties of cider.
“We are so excited to have this event at Shute. Cider making is at the heart of this community and Shute is home to its own cider apple – the Crimson Victoria. And cheese and cider make a perfect pairing,” says Sam Knights, festival co-director.
Cider-making has been at the heart of country life for hundreds of years. But the fascinating story of how this drink came into existence and why it became so deeply rooted in the nation’s psyche has never been told.
Somerset-based James Crowden traces an elusive history stretching back to the ancient civilisations of Central Asia and the Mediterranean – and even the wild apple forests of Kazakhstan.
Turning to the present day, James meets the next generation of cider makers and unearths a unique philosophy that has been shared through the ages. In the face of real challenges, these enterprising artisan craft cider companies are still finding new ways to produce this golden drink that is enjoyed by so many.
St Michael’s Church Shute EX13 7QR, 6-7:30pm, £10 via www.shutefest. org.uk and on door. For those who cannot attend in person a £5 live stream link is available via website.