At the beginning of June, representatives of project partners met in Northern Vidzeme for a meeting of the project “Knowledge-driven Baltic Cider Production and Branding for Growth and Competitiveness of SMEs” (Baltic Cider). The meeting brought together representatives from the Latvian Rural Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs”, the Estonian Rural Tourism Association, the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU, Polli), the Institute of Horticulture (LatHort), and cider producers from neighbouring countries. We discussed the results of the project's activities so far, exchanged ideas, and explored the cider-making process in practice - from orchard to finished product - at two cideries in Latvia: Mūrbūdu and Abuls Cidery. We also reviewed progress made in marketing activities.

We gained insight into the development of the Baltic Cider website, which will include information about cider production, traditions, upcoming events, and cider makers in both countries. There were also discussions about specific tools for market promotion and for introducing cider and cideries to a broader audience.

To gather additional information, responses from a survey of cider makers were compiled, aiming to cover aspects of a Terroir map, which includes four dimensions: climate, soil, topography, and the human factor. Beneath all of this lie numerous factors - such as orchard management, water, nutrient availability, and aspects of microclimate - that can influence both the raw material of cider making (apples) and the final product. During the meeting, ciderologist Gabe Cook, within the framework of the project BASCIL, which complements the Baltic Cider project, shared his experience and insights on creating a Terroir map, based on the knowledge and practices used in winemaking as well.

The insights and experiences shared during the meeting help all participants move closer to achieving the project's goals, generating new ideas and solutions to continue strengthening the recognition and competitiveness of Baltic cider. A look back at a previous in-person project meeting can be viewed [here].