Erle Levey
Noosa hinterland’s Amrita Park Meadery has continued its winning ways at Brisbane’s Royal Exhibition by being awarded champion mead of show for the fourth year in a row.
The mead was made using Amrita’s wattle honey and a local honey, eucalyptus populnea, commonly known as poplar box or bimbil box.
The meadery, based at the foot of Mt Pinbarren, has taken out many more first, second, third and fourth awards over this time.
Andy Coates and Nicola Cleaver run this small business incorporating Slow Food principals of good, clean and fair – from growing the fruit, extracting honeys, fermenting, bottling, labelling, marketing and selling.
“The bimbil box is quite a rare honey and a delight to work with,’’ Nicola said.
“The tree is of small to medium size and is endemic to Eastern Australia.
“It has rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the trunk and branches.
“There are egg-shaped, elliptical or more or less round leaves, flower buds arranged in groups of seven to 15 or more, white flowers and conical, hemispherical or cup-shaped fruit.
“Flowering occurs from August to December.
“These two beautiful honeys were expertly blended and fermented to produce this outstanding traditional mead.
“Both honeys are prominent on the palate, and have superb floral notes with a smooth mouthfeel that lingers long after that first imbibe.
“We are extremely grateful for the acknowledgment and recognition which inspires us to keep creating many more award-winning meads,’’ Nicola said.
Champion Mead of Show: Wattle and Bimble Box Semi Sweet Traditional;
1st Place Australian Mead Semi Sweet: Wattle and Bimble Box Semi Sweet Traditional;
2nd Place Australian Mead Semi Sweet: Mixed Eucalyptus and French Oak Traditional;
3rd Place Australian Mead Semi Sweet: Macadamia Traditional;
3rd Place Australian Mead Sweet: Ironbark and American Oak;
3rd Place Australian Mead Melomel: Citrus and Chai Spiced Mead;
4th Place Australian Mead Melomel: Ginger and Lime.
The Amrita Park cellar door at 417 Pomona-Kin Kin Rd Pinbarren is open on Saturday’s 11am to 5pm and during the week by appointment for tastings.
