Understanding & Unlocking the Chemistry of Cider Aroma: CiderCon Workshop

NOTE: CiderCon registration is required. Purchase this ticket only if you are attending CiderCon and did not purchase a workshop as part of your original registration.

Unlock the hidden language of cider aroma in this interactive sensory workshop. Using a base cider spiked with key aroma compounds, participants will explore how different chemical families shape a cider’s character—from bright top notes of fruit, floral, and perfume, to complex layers of spice, smoke, and earthy tones.

Designed for both newcomers and seasoned cider professionals, this workshop blends hands-on tasting with practical insights. You’ll sharpen your ability to identify and describe sensory attributes, link aromas to fermentation and production choices, and gain confidence in influencing the aromatic profile of your ciders to achieve stylistic goals.

What you'll learn:

• How major aroma families (esters, terpenes, thiols, phenols, and more) contribute to cider style.
• Strategies to recognize and describe key sensory attributes with greater accuracy.
• Practical tools to connect sensory impressions with production practices.
• Approaches to designing or adjusting production methods to shape aroma outcomes.

Whether you’re a producer seeking consistency, a cider professional looking to deepen your sensory vocabulary, or simply curious about the chemistry behind flavor, this session offers both technical foundation and real-world application.

Presenters:

• Chris Gerling, Cornell University
• Steven Trussler, Brock University
• Nicole Leibon, Le Knows Nose
• Jen Curs, Bauman's Cider Company
• Dion Stepanski, Presque Isle Farm Cider
• Brighid O'Keane, Cider Institute

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Host or Publisher Cider Institute of North America