Cider Chat

Why Pair Cider with Thanksgiving Dinner? Cider is a fantastic beverage for Thanksgiving, with a range of flavors to suit savory, sweet, and spicy dishes. It's an ideal alternative to wine or beer, bringing a refreshing acidity and fruit-forward profile that lifts and enhances Thanksgiving flavors. From crisp dry ciders to dessert-ready ice ciders, there's a pairing for everyone at your table. Star...

Bringing Cider to Hungary: The Story of Abaliget Garden Projects In this episode of Cider Chat, we learn about the southwest Hungary, where Ancha Gergely is building Abaliget Garden Projects, her small-scale cidery focused on Hungarian apples, pears, and centuries-old varieties. Ancha's journey began in England, where she developed a love for cider. For Hungary it appears that there is little know...

Discovering Domaine Johanna Cécillon: A Journey of Cider, Heritage, and Terroir Johanna Cécillon and her husband, Louis Cécillon, have deep ties in the world of fermented drinks, and are now merging their wine heritage with cider-making in Brittany. Domaine Johanna Cécillon, near Dinan, honors family tradition and innovation through biodynamic farming methods. Established on family land from the 1...

Innovation at Cidrerie Manoir du Val: Blending Tradition and Modernity Located in Normandy's Pays de Risle, Cidrerie Manoir du Val and with maker Marie Bourut at the helm s crafting innovative ciders with a nod to tradition. With Marie's husband Thomas Courtoux., this couple has transformed a historic orchard. From pioneering the production of  Blanc Cider  (white cider) to fermenting with Sorbus...

Find Highlights & Tips in This French Cider Tour Recap! The 2024 cider tour to Paris, Normandy, Brittany and Domfrontais was an absolute success! With guest from the United States, Canada and Hungary the makers in France did a knock out job introducing everyone to the tastes, sights, sounds and people in the region. This tour is curated and led by Ria Windcaller, the producer and host of Cider Cha...

From Suffolk to Virginia: Stephen Schuurman's Cider Journey In Episode 428 of Cider Chat, we meet Stephen Schuurman, owner and cider maker at Winchester Ciderworks in Winchester, Virginia. Originally from Suffolk, England, Stephen has brought his deep love of English cider to the northern portion of the Shenandoah Valley. What started as a passion project has grown into a successful business, blen...

Collaboration Meets Ingenuity at Heartland Ciderworks This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the intersection of entrepreneurship and craft cider-making. In Episode 427 of Cider Chat, Eliseo Bell-Uribe shares his story as a young entrepreneur and how and why he founded Heartland Ciderworks. Practical Advice for Cider Startups: Learning to Collaborate Starting a cidery from s...

Discover Red Island Cider on Prince Edward Island Guest podcaster Al Saxs interviews Red Island Cider owner and maker Robert van Waarden in this episode 426 of Cider Chat.   Red Island Cider is located on Canada's reknown "Prince Edward Island" capital "Charlottetown" this cidery has helped revive the island's apple heritage while creating unique, story-driven ciders that reflect the culture, hist...

The Showering name is synonymous with both innovation and tradition in the world of cider for the past 187 years. In this Episode 425 of Cider Chat, Nick Showering shares a bit on his family's cider-making roots that stretch back over 400 years and in the past 180 years in the town of Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. Nick Showering A Storied Legacy in Somerset The Showerings have been crafting c...

Apple Phenotyping: The Tools Every Orchardist Needs In Episode 424 of Cider Chat, we dive deeper into the intricate world of apple identification, this time focusing on apple phenotyping — the art and science of describing apples by their physical characteristics. This is Part 3 of the three part series on John Bunker, renowned author, apple detective, and founder of FEDCO Trees. Expect a master c...

In Episode 423 of Cider Chat, we delve into the fascinating world of apple identification a.k.a. Apple Id with the one and only John Bunker, a renowned author and the c0-founder of FEDCO Trees, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardners Association (MOFGA). Hear as he shares his lifelong passion for tracking down historic apple varieties and teaching others how to preserve these treasures is truly inspiri...

New York Apple Camp Keynote Address by John Bunker In a captivating keynote from the 2023 New York Apple Camp, John Bunker, the founder of FEDCO Trees and renowned author on apple identification, shared his profound connection to the outdoors. John Bunker in his favorite shirt and barefeet Enjoy the Keynote by John that weaves his passion for Jazz, quotes from thought leaders and his insights on t...

Eli Shanks' of Punta de Fierro Fine Cider In this episode meet Eli Shanks, a passionate cider maker sharing his journey from urban Massachusetts to the picturesque landscapes of Chile, where he co-founded Punta de Fierro Cider. Eli developed an early interest in food systems and agriculture with influences from attending The Farm School, working at The Food Project and running an orchard in Concor...

Basque Cheesecake and Santa Cruz Cider Cider Chat Live brings you a tasting of a celebratory cider from Santa Cruz Cider Company paires with a what is called Basque Cheesecake! Basque Cheesecake is much less dense than classic New York cheesecake. It is crustless, and has a golden, beautiful caramelized exterior. It also has a much lighter texture and flavor. The cheesecake is baked at a high temp...

Wooden Gate: From Farm to Cidery with Clint Caver Clint Cavers and his wife Pamela have been farming for over 30 years at Wooden Gate The Farm and cidery is based in Pilot Mound, Manitoba, Canada which is right over the border of North Dakato. Clint's journey from hobby fermenter to full-time cider maker now represents 95% of their farm's focus. Initially homesteaders, they shifted towards cider m...

Paving a Path for Cider Branding at Cultivar Meet Kirk Evans, the founder of  Cultivar Creative . In this episode, Kirk shares his journey from a casual cider maker to a professional brand designer specializing in cider packaging and identity. Kirk Evans Cultivar Creative  focuses on creating comprehensive brand identities that go beyond just a logo. Kirk emphasizes the importance of a cohesive br...

Celebrating an Agricultural Legacy and the New England Apple Association The New England Apple Association (NEAA), a venerable institution supporting apple growers across the New England states, will be closing its doors at the end of this fiscal year on June 30, 2024. This announcement, delivered by the NEAA's Executive Director, Russell Steven Powell, marks the end of an 89-year legacy dedicated...

Crank the Bach & Go Boating with Green Bench in Hand Brian Wing of Green Bench Mead and Cider is a classical music fan. Green Bench is located in Saint Petersburg, Florida and Brian was recently on episode 398 which is a must listen. Usually, we wait a bit here at Cider Chat Central to have a guest back on, but when a delivery of cider arrived from Brian, with 4 select bottles, the opportunity aro...

What exactly are Cider Hybrids Exploring Cider Hybrids and Co-ferments as recored at a panel discussion at CiderCon 2024. The terminology for this category is still developing, reflecting the innovative and experimental nature of these beverages. As producers continue to explore and create unique blends and co-ferments, the language will evolve to better capture the diversity and creativity inhere...

Businesses Certified as a B Corp Stand Out! Explore the benefits of B Corp certification with leaders from solar, candle, coffee, and cider industries. Learn about their challenges and successes in creating positive social and environmental impact. In this Cider Chat Enjoy this informative panel discussion led by Bridget Sprague of Revision Energy with Ted Barber of Prosperity Candle, Beth Spong o...

Is Ancestral Method different than Pet Nat? This panel discussion on Ancestral Method was moderate by Nicole Leibon of LeNosse Knows consultation. She was joined by Yann Gilles, a French cider consultant, Levi Danielson of Oregon's RAW cider and David Carr of California's Raging Cider. This feature was was recorded at CiderCon 2024, the annual trade conference hosted by the American Cider Associat...

Find the latest Cider Dispatch from Highland County Virginia Cider Bon Vivant Reporter Al Sax provide a cider dispatch report from Monterey Virginia. This area of Virginia is known as Highland County and it is here that Big Fish Cider is located. One of the cool extras (beside cider) when visiting this region, is that it is a Dark Sky area. This means good star grazing due to the lack of night lig...

Technical Tips for When Things Go Wrong with Cider Making This episode features two cider professionals and a cider industry consultant, which is exactly who you need a direct line to when your cider has problems. Hear from Megan Faschoway who at the time of this recording was Senior Cider Maker at Sea Cider, Kira Bassingthwaighte Head Cider Maker at Western Cider in Montana and Nick Gunn of Bench...

Cider's Best Friend is Perry Enjoy this panel discussion "Pear Necessities: International Perry recorded at CiderCon 2024. The panel was moderated by drinks writer, Adam Wells of the UK. Sitting to his right was Tom Oliver of Olivers Cider and Perry Ltd (UK), Laura Cherry of Dragon's Head Cider (Washington State), Albert Johnson of Ross and Wye Cider and Perry Company (UK) and cider critic and blo...

Escape to Olympic Bluffs a Dream Vacation Destination Olympic Bluffs Cidery & Lavender Farm is located on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The farm is on a bluff that overlooks the Salish Sea, which spans the international waters between British Columbia and Washington State. The location is dreamy with views of Mount Baker, a 10,000+ foot mountain, to the east and...