Teme Valley’s Commonwood Farm Scoops Two Prestigious Great Taste Awards
— Commonwood Farm is celebrating after receiving two separate 1-star accolades at the Great Taste Awards, the world’s most coveted food and drink accreditation scheme. Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the awards are judged blind by a panel of over 500 industry experts, chefs, and food writers.
Commonwood Farm’s Vintage Sparkling Perry and unique Honey Spiced Pear Brandy Liqueur were both highly praised by the panel, elevating the family business to official Great Taste Producer status.
What the Great Taste Judges Said:
- The Bannut Orchard Vintage Sparkling Perry:
Judges described the bottle-fermented perry as a “delicate, pretty pale perry” with a “beautiful, pale, and sparkling” appearance and an “inviting light aroma of pears.” The tasting panels highlighted its “brightness of flavour and considerable structure, with punchy, herbaceous savoury and brandyish notes.” They concluded that it offers an “enjoyable and quite sophisticated dry finish,” calling it a “robust perry that is refreshingly different from lighter styles” and a “good showcase for traditional, bottle fermented perry.” - Commonwood Farm Honey Spiced Pear Brandy Liqueur:
This award-winning craft spirit is highly praised by judges for its beautiful, “honeyed gold” appearance and an “enticing, gently-spiced orchard brandy nose. On the palate, it delivers a clever and well-achieved balance. The honey is perfectly judged to soften the spirit without being cloying, integrating beautifully with the warming spices and underlying base spirit. Swirling with ice creates a flawless balance and “pleasing sippability,” while a splash of tonic makes it a truly sophisticated, refreshing drink.
Crafted by Six Generations of Tradition
Now in its sixth generation of family farming since 1887, Commonwood Farm masterfully balances historic countryside roots with modern beverage innovation. Bruce and Sarah Starkey use their backgrounds in horticulture and the food industry to breathe new life into ancient Worcestershire orchards.
The award-winning Vintage Sparkling Perry is created using traditional bottle fermentation. Hand-picked perry pears are harvested from a 200-year-old orchard dating back to the late 1700s, with the juice fermenting slowly in barrels until the first cuckoo sings in the spring.
Where to Buy and Experience Commonwood Farm
Perry & Cider can be ordered directly through the online Commonwood Farm Shop
Locals and visitors can also celebrate the win directly at the farm. Commonwood Farm hosts its hugely popular Pop-Ups & Perry Events every Friday night throughout the summer from 5pm. Guests can enjoy live music and a chilled glass of award-winning perry alongside freshly made wood-fired pizzas, burgers, pasta, and local ice cream.
A Proud Moment for the Farm
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring home two Great Taste awards,” says Sarah Starkey, of Commonwood Farm. “Great Taste is strictly about flavour, so having our traditional perry and craft liqueur recognised by the industry’s top palates is incredibly validating. It is a wonderful testament to our slow, patient production methods and the incredible heritage of our Teme Valley land.”
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