17-07-2025
Seven delicious reasons to splash your cash on fine cider
The word cider doesn't often conjure up a sense of reverence or aspiration. The majority of what's sold in this country is a commodity – the same liquid replicated efficiently throughout the year, just like beer and with an equivalent price point.
And yet… while cider volumes in the UK have steadily declined over the last decade, its value continues to creep up thanks to growth within the most premium category. And at its apex lies a micro sub-segment – fine cider.
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The best fine ciders to try
Fine cider versus mainstream cider and English wine
Why you can trust us
Fine cider is a world away from two-litre plastic bottles and 24-can multipacks. It takes its aesthetic and production cues from the world of wine. It's often on the shelves for £10 to £20 but sometimes £30-plus – even higher when served at restaurants – and, when executed with skill, it is worth every single penny.
Often presented in a 75cl bottle, fine cider is intended for the table – to be drunk instead of wine; to serve before, during or after a meal; to share with friends; to sip and savour – tempting us to fall headfirst into an enchanting world of rare apple and pear varieties (the latter the raw material for fine perry), lost orchards, clever cider-making techniques and characterful cultural saviours.
Luckily, some of the greatest fine ciders in the world are available in the UK. These are some of my favourites:
