From France comes Wignac, a very French style full-bodied organic cider. Located in the Ardennes, they also make a rosé and a non-alcoholic cider. It is amber coloured with a distinct apple bouquet. A full apple flavour, just off-dry, finishes with a slight astringency. Now my favourite cider. 9.5/10
I tried these at the Royal Bath & West Show at their booth: a medium cider, a perry and a sparkling perry. The medium apple cider was very good with medium flavour strength and smooth - 7/10. The sparkling perry was good - 6.5/10. The still perry was slightly sweet (as most perries are) with a very slight astringency on the finish - just right to help cut the sweetness. Now my favourite perry! 9.5/10
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I tried this at Coopers Mill pub in Yeovil, Somerset, England. From nearby Frome comes this full flavoured cider from Lilley's with a hint of mango. It is sweeter than I like, but is excellent. 7.5/10
I bought in Valletta, Malta this Swedish, so called, "premium" cider. It was disappointing — being too sweet and though it had a light pear taste had an artificial pear aftertaste. The company makes many varieties of flavoured ciders but I won't likely try any of them. 4/10.
By the Athenian Brewery S.A. comes this semi-sweet cider with a light taste and a hint of tannin in the finish. Not a pure apple cider and a little sweeter than I normally like. Might be refreshing on a hot day if nothing else is available. "ΜΗΛΟ ΚΛΕΦΤΗΣ" means "Apple Thief." 5.5/10
There are a number of ciders to avoid particularly ones that are not pure cider, which are the ones I avoid. I particularly look for the label that says "made from 100% apples." Some cider makers use artificial flavours and/or aromatics, or other strange ingredients. On one so-called "cider" I tried apple was the fourth ingredient after water, vodka and sugar! So here's a list of ones to avoid:
Somersby, which is produced by Carlsberg in Denmark, is very popular and cheap. They call its product an "apple flavoured cider" and is a good example of "so-called" cider. Here is its list of ingredients: water, fermented apple juice, sugar, apple juice concentrate, citric acid, flavour, potassium sorbate, caramel colour, sulphites. It should be called an "apple flavoured drink," not a cider. Similarly, the ingredients of Milos Kleftis of Greece are concentrated apple juice with sucrose, water, sucrose syrup, plain caramel (colour), malic acid, carbonic acid, sulfites (antioxidant), and natural aromas (?!).
Duckchicken Cider, UK
Milo Kleftis, Greece
Rekorderlig, Sweden
Somersby, Denmark
Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition, Grand Rapids, Michigan
May 17-19, 2023
East Coast Cider Festival, Halifax NS
May 20, 2023
Location: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3J5 (map)
Will feature 22 cider makers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and P.E.I.
Devon County Show
May 18-20, 2023
Location: Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ
Royal Bath & West Show
June 1-3, 2023
Location: The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN (map)
This event is a little different, The Royal Bath and West Show is a renowned agricultural event. It also plays host to the British Cider Championship. In fact, The Royal Bath & West Society set up the competition in 1895. It is thought that theirs is the oldest cider competition in the world. This year, a selection of ciders will be available each day to show-goers. Another interesting element of the show are the tutor-led cider tasting sessions.
Accommodations in or near Shepton. The Pecking Mill Inn. or The Lion at West Pennard only 5 1/2 miles from Shepton Mallet. Note that Wells is a larger town and is only 5 1/2 miles from Shepton Mallet, and Glastonbury is 10 miles away.
Brogdale Cider Trail
August 26 & 27, 2023
Location: Brogdale Farm, Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ (map)
"Savour the summer while you sample over 40 ciders, locally produced.... Exclusive barrels of scrumptious cider and Perry will be racked and ready for visitors to sample. A great experience for all the family with ciders usually only stocked in selected outlets!... A free shuttle bus will be running from Faversham mainline train station to Brogdale throughout the weekend.... A great day out, just over an hour from London, in the heart of the Kent countryside."
See Faversham accommodations site here.
Armagh Food and Cider Festival
September 7-10, 2023
Location: The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armage, Northern Ireland
Lots of events related to cider and food take place in and around Armagh. Cider tasting, orchard tours, cooking classes, casual to fine dining in various local restaurants, and much more: a total of 40 different events! A cider and cheese show takes place at Crannagael House, located about 10 miles from Armagh. Tickets are required for different events and locations and should be purchased as early as possible because many sell out early. The main cider tasting event takes place at The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre and tickets costs £10.
Malvern Autumn Show
September 22-24, 2023
Location: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6NW (map)
Part of the fall festival is the Westons Cider Mill sponsored selection of Hereford ciders such as Oliver's Cider and Perry.
Places to stay: nearest the Showground is The Dell House B&B, or the Cottage in the Woods Hotel. Also see the Malvern accommodation site for many B&Bs and hotels in the area.
