— A woman from Orange County was recognized as the first North Carolinian to be certified as a pommelier, an expert in all things cider, Botanist and Barrel Cidery and Winery announced Wednesday.

Amie Fields, of Botanist and Barrel in Cedar Grove, received the honor from the United States Association of Cider Makers, a title that fewer than 10 people have earned worldwide.

"I am super excited to represent the South as one of the first to pass the challenging pommelier exam," Fields said. "I love advocating for cider and helping people learn more every day about a topic so rich in history and tradition that is redefining itself in the modern world."

Fields said the diversity of cider is what attracted her to it, saying "it can be like wine, it can be like beer, it can have similar flavor profiles to a cocktail."

“I love changing people’s minds on cider with new and exciting versions that are so different from the mass produced brands that people are used to seeing in the market," Fields said. "It’s so rewarding to expand peoples palates to natural old world styles of cider that have been around for thousands of years.”

Cider sales is one of the fastest-growing alcoholic beverages, according to the press release, growing by 8 percent in 2018.