CIDER
About Cider
We all know that cider comes from the West Country, indeed some of the larger companies, the flagships of our industry, are household names throughout the land. Few though appreciate the great wealth and diversity of cidermaking in the South West of England.
There are scores of small and medium-sized makers dotted throughout the region, producing ciders of fiercely individual character, charm and style, not to mention their scrumpy, of course. Capturing sunshine in the golden juice of the apple, these are the true practitioners of tradition. No dying craft have we here, but a network of proud enthusiasts of all ages, some with pedigrees going back centuries, some much more recent converts to the art. Their Association, the South West of England Cidermakers' Association, fosters and promotes their activities, passes on information between members and keeps alive this wonderful old craft.
Cider an Introduction
Cider has not, for many centuries, enjoyed as much popularity as it does at
present - more and more people are now drinking it. From this site you can see
a map of the South West of England showing the location of cidermakers who are
members of the Association, together with details of their range of products,
opening times and other attractions.
The Orchard and The Apples
When every farm made its own cider, apple orchards were a major feature of the
countryside and trees with picturesque or romantic names abounded, like
Foxwhelp, Bloody Butcher, Handsome Maid and Slack-my-Girdle. Then, as the
larger cidermakers emerged, so too did specially planted orchards. These
consisted of mixtures of the Sweet (low in both tannin and acidity),
Bittersweet (high in tannin but low in acidity), Sharp (low in tannin, high in
acidity), and Bittersharp (high in both tannin and acidity) varieties of cider
apples, essential for making quality cider. Nowadays proven quality cider
apples such as Kingston Black (Bittersharp), Yarlington Mill and Dabinett
(Bittersweets), Sweet Coppin (Sweet) and Brown's Apple (Sharp) have, to a large
extent, replaced the older farm varieties. Change is always with us and
although, particularly since World War II, farming practices have resulted in
the grubbing-up of many farm orchards, there is now a resurgent interest in
planting anew. After all it is West Country apples that make West Country cider
special.
The Making of Cider
The History of Cider
A Map and List of Members of SW of England Cidermakers' Assoc.
THE ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE