The term fine cider can be pretty divisive in the real / full-juice / not-from-concentrate / craft cider world, but it tends to be used for ciders such as our new limited-edition ciders. But, as demonstrated by the previous sentence, cider is surrounded by a terminology minefield. This is not helped at all by industrially-produced alcopops (made from apple concentrate and sugars and then heavily watered down) being allowed to be called cider. Big, sad, sigh!
We are using the term fine cider for our full-juice, naturally sparkling, naturally fermented ciders in large bottles. Another good name for them is natural ciders.
We have three, 2020 vintage, special ciders, hitherto known as “the experiments” which we have just released. All are in 75cl bottles, so wine bottle sized, and they are naturally fermented using only the wild yeasts.
They are naturally sparkling (pétillant naturel – pét nat – in French), also known as ancestral method. This is where the cider is bottled before fermentation has completed and so fermentation continues in the bottle, trapping the carbon dioxide that is produced naturally. This carbon dioxide gives the cider a fine, natural moussy fizziness. And who doesn’t love a bit of natural sparkle?
All three of our fine ciders are pét nat, and one of them is also keeved. Keeving is a fairly complex, traditional method of producing a naturally sweet cider. However no sugar or artificial sweetener is involved, so that’s just marvellous.
The three fine ciders are all unpasteurised, unfiltered and have no added sulphite. They are made using 100% handpicked, unsprayed apples that we picked and pressed locally. We also did the bottling, designed the labels and stuck the labels on the bottles. You can’t get more artisanal and hand-produced cider than this!
Our first fine ciders
Here is a short summary of the individual ciders:
Bramley & Chisel Jersey co-ferment 2020 pét nat 75cl
Made from 100% handpicked, unsprayed Bramley and Chisel Jersey apples that were co-fermented. Bottle fermented with the natural yeasts, naturally sparkling (pét nat), dry cider. Unpasteurised and unfiltered. 7% abv.
Refreshing acidity, a beautiful colour and fine bubbles. Paul’s new favourite cider.
Kingston Black single variety 2020 pét nat 75cl
Made from 100% handpicked, unsprayed Kingston Black apples. Bottle fermented with the natural yeasts, naturally sparkling (pét nat), dry cider. Unpasteurised and unfiltered. 7.4% abv.
Delicate citrus notes with moderate tannins and fine bubbles.
Michelin single variety 2020 keeved, pét nat 75cl
Made from 100% handpicked, unsprayed Michelin apples. Bottle fermented with the natural yeasts, naturally sparkling (pét nat) and keeved to produce a naturally medium-sweet cider (no sugar or sweetener added). Unpasteurised and unfiltered. 5.2% abv.
Subtly sweet with hints of mandarin orange and with fine bubbles.
Buy fine cider
Update: You can buy our latest selection of fine ciders direct from our webshop for home delivery. They are available in cases of six bottles. Being small-batch, artisan ciders, our fine ciders will always be limited editions so don’t miss out.