Cider In Love

Cider Tasting Guide

Fine, heritage cider is a wild and wonderful world - full of nuance and complexity. Just getting started? We've created a handy guide to understanding cider. Take a tour and get ready to explore!

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01 Dryness Scale Ciders range from bone dry to full-bodied and sweet.
02 Sparkling Scale Ciders can be sparkling bright or absolutely still, like a wine.
03 Tasting Notes Be prepared to be surprised and delighted by the complex and nuanced notes that are revealed in a single glass.

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Dryness Scale

One of the biggest myths is that all ciders are sweet! Instead, there is a large range: from bone dry - to a crisp semi-dry - to a fuller semi-sweet - to rich intense sweetness. What appeals to you?

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Dry

Ciders can be remarkably dry, without any perceptible sweetness. Some mass ciders may advertise as "dry", but not really mean it. When trying a true, dry heritage cider, be prepared - they mean it!

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Semi-Dry

This is a wide ranging category that captures ciders with a touch more sweetness than a bone dry cider. Many heritage makers creates ciders in the space - there is a lot to explore.

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Semi-Sweet

Just what you think. These ciders are not profoundly sweet but reflect a middle ground that allows some of natural sweetness to shine through.

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Sweet

Sweet doesn't mean sugary. Ciders that embrace sweetness often have pronounced fruit and floral notes and a lovely, lingering complexity. These can range from a traditional cider to specialty ciders like ice cider or even pommeau, which pair beautifully with rich cheeses and dessert.

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Dry

Semi-Dry

Semi-Sweet

Sweet

Sparkling Scale

To sparkle or not? It's a deliberate decision by the cider maker. Ciders can range from zesty bright sparkling to subtle fizziness (which we call "petillant") to absolutely still. Bubbles (or the lack of them) play a big role in how the cider feels, smells and tastes.

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Still

Not all cider sparkles. Without bubbles, you can truly focus on the flavors. Still ciders are often an opportunity for cider makers to craft something special that’s outside the norm. Expect the unexpected.

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Petillant

This lovely French word describes the lightest of fizziness. These ciders have small, subtle bubbles that that tickle the tongue. Elegance, in a glass.

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Sparkling

There are a range of a bubbly ciders. Many heritage cider makers take a traditional approach and ferment a cider twice, the a second time in the bottle à la Champagne. These ciders are the hardest to make but are often the most rewarding.

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Still

Petillant

Sparkling

Tasting Notes

Just like with wine, the flavor possibilities in a heritage cider are endless. Was that a hint of peach, maybe pineapple? Or something more citrusy, like a grapefruit? Could that have been fennel, or maybe pepper? Was it almost earthy... could it even have a note of smoke? Sip and see.

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Discover The Tastes of Cider!

01 Dryness Scale Ciders range from bone dry to full-bodied and sweet.
02 Sparkling Scale Ciders can be sparkling bright or absolutely still, like a wine.
03 Tasting Notes Be prepared to be surprised and delighted by the complex and nuanced notes that are revealed in a single glass.

Shop all cider

Getting the Most From Your Glass

Enjoying Cider

Cider In Love

Cider Tasting Guide

SCROLL OR SELECT TO START

Dryness Scale

Sparkling Scale

Tasting Notes

Discover The Tastes of Cider!

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